March events at the Children's Museum of NH

Check out this month's fun and learning for the whole family!

Summer Camp Registration begins on Monday, March 2!

The Children's Museum of NH offers summer camps for two different age groups: Mini-Camp for children ages 4-5 and Discovery Camp for children ages 6 - 8. Camp size is limited to 12 students per program.

Camp registration begins on Monday, March 2 for museum members and Tuesday, March 3 for non-members. Please call the museum office at (603) 742-2002 between 9 am and 5 pm.

Mini Camp for Ages 4 & 5

3-day camps: Tuesday - Thursday, 9:15 am - Noon

Fee: $85/session for members & $95/session for non-members

This is a great first summer camp experience for children ages 4-5. Each session features exclusive time interacting with museum exhibits, hands on activities, crafts, stories and a snack. Children must be 4 years old on the first day of camp and be able to use the bathroom independently. Choose between the following sessions:

Mini Camp Session I - July 28-30 - NH Animals!

Campers will learn about the many creatures that build their habitats along the rivers in NH. Find out ways that they have adapted to live and survive in our area. Campers will create projects and engage in hands-on learning each day!

Mini Camp Session II - August 4-6 - Jr. Science: Weather!

What's more fun to talk about than the weather in the hot, hot summer months? Junior scientists will explore rain, clouds, the sun, wind, snow and more by doing hands on interactive experiments, listening to stories and learning fancy scientific words!

Mini Camp Session III - August 18-20 - Art & Sculpture!

This workshop is designed to introduce children to the basics of sculpture. Using a variety of materials, each child will create a unique 3-D sculptural piece to take home. Campers will explore their creative potential and go home with some fabulous works of art. End the session with a mini art show!

Mini Camp Session IV - August 25-27 - Junior Science: Messy Science!

Yuck! Gross! Awesome! These are just some words you should expect to hear in this hands-on, very sticky and slimy science camp! Junior scientists will investigate messy mixtures, colorful concoctions and fizzing disasters by doing their own ooey-gooey experiments! Make sure you don't wear your best clothes for this one because it's time for some super messy science!

Discovery Camps for ages 6-9

3-day camps: Tuesday - Thursday, 9:15 am - 2pm

Fee: $130/session for members & $150/session for non-members

Discovery Camps focus on exploring science & art concepts within the museum's educational exhibits. Each session features exclusive time interacting with exhibits, hands-on activities, crafts, stories and a snack. Campers will engage in hands-on experiments, activities and projects so kids are encouraged to wear clothing that can get messy. Choose between the following sessions:

Discovery Camp Session I - July 28-30 - Theater Camp

Our storybook theatre camp is back for another session of fast paced, giggle-filled, performing fun. Young actors will work together to transform a favorite picture book into a piece of theatrical art! They'll help make their own costumes, design some scenery-and of course, act out the play! This camp ends with a special performance for family and friends!

Discovery Camp Session II - August 4-6 - Treasure Hunters Camp

Join us on a quest to find hidden treasure! We'll learn all about maps and compasses, why we use them, how to read them and why they can be so much fun! We will test our skills searching for treasure in this geography adventure.

Discovery Camp Session III - August 18-20 - Earth Science Camp

Young ecologists will learn about biomes, ecosystems, food chains and keeping the Earth healthy in this very green science camp. Ever wondered how to make your own water filter? Wonder no more! Want to find out the amazing ways animals adapt to their environments? We've got that covered too. We'll chart, graph, experiment, question and craft our way through this great Earth we live on.

Discovery Camp Session IV - August 25-27 - Maker Camp!

Join us as we get a head start on the making fun for the 3rd annual Dover Mini Maker Faire on Saturday, August 29. Enjoy three days of building, creating and experimenting with open-ended activity stations, tools, lots of materials and guided "making" workshops with our Museum educator. We will also create a collaborative piece that combines art and tech that will be displayed at the Faire. Self-select stations will feature fiber arts, construction challenges, electronics and more.

Exploring Our Way Autism Program

Sunday, March 1

10 am - 12 pm

Families raising children on the autism spectrum are invited to enjoy exclusive time in the Museum on the FIRST Sunday morning of each month in a safe and understanding environment. When the Museum opens to the public at noon, families are welcome to stay as long as they wish. There is no cost and pre-registration is not required .

Special this month: Meet music therapist Marissa Ruffini of Sonatina Music Therapy, and learn how children on the autism spectrum may benefit from music therapy.

Storytime Sunday: Think Spring!

Sunday, March 1

2 pm

Join museum educator Meredith and local musician Stu for a fun Storytime that's going to be all about the season that's coming right up: SPRING! Even though the snowbanks are still waist-high out in front of the museum, Meredith and Stu are thinking ahead to warmer temperatures and outdoor fun. Stop in at our colorful classroom for songs and stories about springtime! This event is included in the regular cost of museum admission.

Make It or Break It Club

for children ages 6 - 12

Tuesdays, 3:15 - 4:45 pm

March is Engineering Challenge Month!

March 3 - Egg Drop Challenge

March 10 - Playing with Sticks, including wood shop basement tour with Museum Exhibit Director Mark Cuddy

March 17 - Construction Challenge

March 24 - Creating with K'nex

March 31 - Rube Goldberg Machines

Kids are invited to drop-in at this weekly workshop where they can flex their creativity by working with real tools and cool materials. Each week, there will be a special project or material available. Doors open at 3:15 and special project begins at 3:30. C ost to attend each workshop is $8 for museum members, $10 for non-members. Discounted punch cards available for multiple visits.

Wee Ones Wednesdays Classes

for children ages 2-4 with a parent or adult partner

Wednesdays, March 4, 11, 18 & 25

9:45 am and 10:45 am

Drop in with your 2-4 year old for play, learning and socialization with a new theme each week. Museum Education Coordinator Xanthi Gray leads these sessions that include circle time, songs, movement, craft project, snack and story. Two 45-minute classes are offered each week: the first class begins at 9:45 am and the second class begins at 10:45 am. Classes are limited to 12 children each.

The cost for each adult/child pair is $7 for members and $10 for nonmembers. Additional children pay $5 for members or $8 for nonmembers. Due to feedback from families, we have decided to offer a WeeOnes punch card for members. For $30, we offer a 5-class punch card (a savings of $5) or purchase two cards for $55 for a savings of $15 dollars!

First Friends Playgroup & Baby Storytime

for children from birth - 24 months

Wednesdays, February 4 & 11

9:45 - 11 am

(No playgroup during February school vacation weeks)

The First Friends Playgroup for children ages birth-two years is a drop-in opportunity for parents and babies/toddlers to play together in the museum's Early Learning Landscape area on the second floor. Lead Educator Meredith Lamothe, MLIS will offer Baby "Lap Sit" Storytime each week at 9:45 am as well. Learn important early literacy skills to practice with little ones and enjoy some rhymes, puppets, songs, and stories. This program is free for museum members and babies under 1 year old; non-member adults and older children pay standard admission.

New Science Classes Start This Week!

Junior Science Explorers

Spring Session I Topic: The Five Senses

Young scientists will explore the five senses through interactive experiments, science-inspired art projects, stories and more. This inquiry based science session will have explorers seeing, hearing, touching, smelling and tasting their way to becoming sensory experts!

Meets: Thursdays, March 5 - April 9, 10 - 10:45 am

Ages: 3-5
Fee: $60 museum members, $70 non-members (includes all materials)
Register: Call 603-742-2002 during weekday business hours

Science Explorers for Homeschoolers

Spring Session I Topic: It's a Bird, It's a Plane - It's Aerodynamics!

Young scientists will learn about the physics of flight through projects that draw from great successes in the history of aviation, flight in the natural world, incredible air-borne inventions and even some creations from NASA. Scientists will experiment, investigate and question in this high-flying session of science!

Meets: Thursdays, March 5 - April 9, 11:30 am - 12:15 pm

Ages: 6-10
Fee: $60 per six-week session for members, $70 for non-members (includes all materials)
Register: Call 603-742-2002 during weekday business hours

Dollar Deal Night

Friday, March 6

5:30 - 8 pm

Come enjoy a low-cost night out with your family! We open the museum for special evening hours on the first Friday night of each month with admission of just $1 per person.

Special this month: As part of our ongoing FoodWorks series presented in partnership with Hannaford Supermarkets, Dollar Deal Night guests will get to try yummy recipes from the NH Food Bank's Cooking Matters program! Sample turkey tacos, black bean brownies and cookie dough dip. Each recipe contains healthy stealthy ingredients that pack in more nutrition, less fat and less sugar. Check out recipe info and more at the FoodWorks table.

Saturday Art Workshop with Hannah Unger

Saturday, March 7

11 am - 12 noon

Kids ages 5 and up are invited to learn about some of the world's most famous artists and their signature techniques from museum intern Hannah Unger. This month's workshop will focus on the still life techniques of Georgia O'Keeffe. Cost is just $5 per child. Register by calling 603-742-2002.

Lego Workshops at Children's Museum of NH

Homeschool Robotics Workshops

Tuesdays, March 10 & 17

10 am - 12 noon

The Children's Museum of NH is hosting a pair of workshops for homeschoolers who want to learn to program LEGO MIndstorm robots. NH LEGO League Master Builder Daniel Hughes will conduct workshops on March 10 and March 17 for kids ages 8-14. Both workshops will meet from 10 am - 12 noon and the cost is $20 (one price for both workshops).

Participants will learn skills needed for programming, robot design and the use of key robotic sensors including ultrasonic, touch, and color sensors. Students will work in teams to build and program a robot and take on challenges specifically designed for the LEGO Mindstorms robot. These workshops are perfect for students thinking of entering a LEGO League competition or those who just want to learn more about robotics.

Pre-registration is required and class size is limited to six students. To register, please call the museum at (603) 742-2002.

"Anyone Can Grow Food" Program

Seed Starting Workshop

Saturday, March 14

10:15 - 11 am

Our family gardening series returns with some new and fun hands-on activities to help families learn how to grow and harvest their own fruits and vegetables. Join UNH Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Leslie Stevens, owner of Sidewalk Farms, for a six-part series of free family gardening workshops Saturday mornings.

1st Workshop on March 14: Learn how to start your own seeds indoors to get a jump on the growing season. Build your own mini seed-starting greenhouse where you can grow your own Sugar Snap pea seedlings. Find out how and when to plant your seeds indoors and when it's safe to plant your seedlings outside. Take home a pack of seeds to try in your own garden and even meet a live bunny named Max from Sidewalk Farms!

Alzheimer's Cafe

Thursday, March 19

2 - 4 pm

The Alzheimer's Cafe is held at the Children's Museum on the third Thursday of each month from 2-4 pm. People living with Alzheimer's disease are welcomed during this time, along with their family members and care partners, to gather in a supportive, non-clinical setting to chat, relax and socialize while enjoying complimentary refreshments. Reservations are not needed and there is no cost to attend, though donations are accepted.

Spring/Summer Consignment Sale

at the Hellenic Center in Dover

Saturday, March 28: 9:30 am - 4 pm

Sunday, March 29: 10 am - 1 pm (50% off sale)

The Children's Museum of NH is having its Spring/Summer Consignment Sale on Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29 at the Hellenic Center in Dover. The sale offer gently used, good quality children's clothes, baby clothes and gear, footwear, costumes, toys, nursery furniture and d�cor, sports equipment, books, music, and videos at outstanding prices. Maternity wear will also be available. People who consign items will earn 60% of the revenue from their sold items. The remaining net proceeds will benefit the Children's Museum of NH and its vital education and outreach programs.

The sale is held at the Hellenic Center at 219 Long Hill Road in Dover. It is open on to the public on Saturday, March 28 from 9:30 am - 4 pm and on Sunday, March 29 from 10 am - 1 pm. Sunday's sale features half-price markdowns on many items. New and expectant parents can also register for a New Parent Pass to shop at the New Parent Presale from 8:00 - 9:30 am on Saturday, March 28.

Parents who consign 25 items or more or volunteer to work at the sale get two special advance shopping opportunities. On Friday, March 27 from 5-8 pm, there will be a private presale for consignors and volunteers. There will also be a private sale for consignors and volunteers on Sunday, March 29 from 9:30 - 10 am when most items go on sale at 50% off.

Please visit our Consignment Sale webpage for full details!

Support our 2015 Joyride Raffle - Win a Minivan, Motorcycle or $20,000 cash!

Tickets on sale now for $99 each - only 750 will be sold.

Drawing to be held on April 16, 2015 at Port City Nissan.

Our 4th annual Car Raffle has expanded this year to include your choice of a Grand Prize: a 2014 Nissan Quest S minivan, a 2015 Harley Davidson Street Glide motorcycle OR $20K in cash! The second prize winner gets a 2014 Honda Ruckus scooter.

Please visit our Joyride Raffle web page for easy online ticket purchase. Tickets may also be purchased at the museum or by calling 603-742-2002. All proceeds support the work of the Children's Museum of NH with children, families and schools.

CURRENT HOURS: Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm, Sunday 12 - 5 pm