Cat in the Hat returns to Children's Museum

Mischief may be afoot in Dover on Saturday, April 7 as the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire hosts a visit from The Cat in the Hat.

The museum’s popular Books Alive program, underwritten by Irving Oil, will welcome Dr. Suess favorite The Cat in the Hat from 10 am – 2 pm. Museum staff will be reading Cat in the Hat tales aloud throughout the day. The friendly costumed cat will be popping in and out to greet children, exchange a hug or high-five, and pose for photos. There will be a variety of feline-inspired literacy, math and creative activities for children in the museum’s large classroom.

Adding to the family fun, musician/puppeteer Amy Conley will perform music on banjo, guitar, harmonica and more at 11 am and 1 pm. Amy has performed at hundreds of concerts and parties in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. This will be her first visit to the Children’s Museum in Dover. She has produced two CDs for children and is also the Director of Music Together of Milford and Greater Manchester/Nashua. More information on Amy can be found at www.AmyConleyMusic.com

All Books Alive activities are included with regular paid admission to the museum: $9 for adults and children over the age of 1 and $8 for seniors. Museum admission is free for Children’s Museum of NH members and children under 1 year old.

Children’s Museum of NH Hosts Art Beyond Vision Gallery Show

Multi-Sensory Exhibit Created in Partnership with NH Association for the Blind and NH Art Association

It’s a common mistake to think of art as merely visual representation and a venue open only to those who can see. Inviting people to touch works of art can broaden the experience of both the sighted and the non-sighted.

In a unique collaboration between the NH Association for the Blind andthe NH Art Association, the Children’s Museum of NH’s Gallery 6 is hosting an exhibit titled Art Beyond Vision through May 28, 2012. This curated collection of textural paintings, fiber arts and sculpture welcomes visitors to open their minds to a fresh new way of experiencing the beauty of art. Tactile works created by more than adozen New Hampshire artists offer opportunities for gallery visitors to explore each piece using different senses. Unlike most art exhibits, this one welcomes guests to take a hands-on approach as they tour the gallery.

Marty Quinn's MoveMusic technology is also featured during Art Beyond Vision as part of the popular Build It, Fly It exhibit. Museum visitors will be able to hear the paths of objects as music as they fall in flight. Using visual-to-image sonification technology developed by Quinn's Design Rhythmics Sonification Research Lab, visual surveillance software tracks the moving objects as they are selecting pixels in a selected image. Those pixels are turned into music using MoveMusic's innovative algorithms. In addition to hearing the objects fall through various and selectable artistic images, qualities of the moving objects, such as size, speed, angularity and change of direction add to the musical mix, providingadditional information that visually challenged guests can utilize to perceive the flights of the falling objects, and experiment to hear how the music varies with different objects and their unique flights.

"We are thrilled to have this one-of-a-kind gallery show in the Museum,” said Justine Roberts, Executive Director of the Children’s Museum of NH. “It is amazing what you can accomplish with the right partners, and in this case, we had an ideal team with the New Hampshire Association for the Blind and the New Hampshire Art Association.”

“This show captures so much of what Gallery 6 is about,” Roberts continued. “It is multi-sensory, which is an ideal way for children to learn, and gives our visitors a successful experience with art. This show also fuses science with art by exploring vision. And we have come up with some really exciting art projects that will be available in our Studio, allowing visitors to do their own creative explorations."

George Theriault, President and CEO of the New Hampshire Association for the Blind, stated, “We hope that many, many people of all ages will come to the museum for this fascinating exhibition – it will challenge visitors to ‘see’ and perceive art in very new and different ways! And, we hope that this experience will promote better understanding and appreciation of all of the senses and how people whose sensory input is reduced or impaired can and do fully appreciate art and lead independent and fulfilling lives. The New Hampshire Association for the Blind is delighted to join in this very special partnership opportunity.”

An opening reception for the featured artists and invited guests will be held on the evening of March 14. The museum has also planned a special day of tactile experiences for young visitors on Tuesday, April 17 from 10:30 am – 2:30 pm.

The Art Beyond Vision exhibit can be viewed in Gallery 6 during regular business hours at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire: Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm and Sunday noon – 5 pm. No admission fee is required to view the gallery only. Regular admission applies for families who wish to also explore the rest of the museum.

For more information about the Art Beyond Vision exhibit, please visit www.childrens-museum.org, or email NHAB@sightcenter.org or NHAA@nhartassociation.org.

About the New Hampshire Association for the Blind

The New Hampshire Association for the Blind located in Concord, NH is the only statewide, private, non-profit organization that provides vision rehabilitation services to NH residents of all ages, who are blind or have severe vision impairments. Itsmission since 1912 has been to advance the independence of persons who are blind and visually impaired. Services are provided in every community of New Hampshire and no one is ever denied access to services due to inability to pay.

About the New Hampshire Art Association

The New Hampshire Art Association (NHAA) is a non-profit professional art association founded in 1940. It is one of the oldest statewide art associations in the country. Itconsists of over 450 members of painters, photographers, watercolorists, printmakers, sculptors and other fine artists living and working primarily in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont. The mission of the NHAA is to primarily encourage and promote the artist membership through their work and participation in exhibitions and other professional endeavors and promote and enhance public awareness and understanding of the visual arts.

'Cheers to Children' Event Showcases Best of Local Food, Wine, Music and Arts

The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is celebrating Dover’s vibrant arts and cultural community with a new fundraising event featuring wine, food, music and more. Cheers to Children will take place at the Museum on Friday, March 23 from 6-9 pm. The event will showcase signature dishes of local restaurants, hand-picked fine wines, live music and a vibrant art gallery show. The winning ticket in the Museum's 2012 MINI Cooper Car Raffle will also be pulled at this event.

“There is so much creative capital here in Dover,” said Justine Roberts, Executive Director of the Children’s Museum of NH. “Not only are there emerging technology companies and growing businesses of all types, but there are also great restaurants, galleries, studios and shops. Encouraging creativity is a core part of our mission, so we wanted Cheers to Children to have a distinctly local flavor that shows off some of the best things happening around us.”

At Cheers to Children, guests will be able to try specialty dishes prepared by chefs from the White Apron, Terra Cotta Pasta, The Farm, Kelley’s Row, Calef's, University of New Hampshire Catering and more. Dover Wine Company has hand-selected wines that will be poured by NH-based distributors Vinlandia, The Imported Grape, Southern Wine and Spirits, RP Imports, Crush Distributors, Horizon Beverages and Candia Vineyards. There will also be live music and everyone will get to enjoy the museum's new exhibit in Gallery 6, Art Beyond Vision.

All proceeds from Cheers to Children benefit the Museum's award-winning programs. Nearly 50% of the Museum's 93,000+ annual visitors are admitted at reduced or no cost through programs like Story Explorers and the Exploring Our Way Autism Partnership Program. The Children’s Museum of NH is committed to providing critical resources for children, schools and families throughout New Hampshire.

To purchase Cheers to Children tickets, please visit www.childrens-museum.org or call the Children's Museum during weekday business hours at 603-742-2002. Reservations can also be made at the Museum’s front desk.

Sarah Haskell Presents "Feather Your Nest" Workshop

On Saturday, March 10, nationally known fiber artist and weaver Sarah Haskell will lead a 90-minute creative workshop for children age 7 or older and their parents at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire. This workshop will take place from 10:30 am – noon and each participating parent/child pair will transform a simple plastic container into a beautiful work of art using textural materials. Pre-registration for this workshop is required.

While most people see things they don’t need anymore as trash, Haskell finds inspiration in found objects that others might throw away. In this workshop at the Children’s Museum, she will invite participants to explore the creative possibilities of everyday objects by focusing on texture, form and color. Everyone will go home with a colorful and unique art object for their home.

Sarah Haskell, a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, has been weaving, teaching and exhibiting her art for over 30 years. She is an active teaching professional throughout New England. She weaves art fabrics, creates mixed media works and leads community weaving projects that literally weave the fabric of communities together.

The Children’s Museum of NH will be offering one more artist workshop this spring: Bottle Bug Bots workshop led by Nate Walker on Saturday, April 14 at 10:30 am.

The cost for each artist workshop is $25 per adult/child pair for museum members and $35 per adult/child pair for non-members. All materials are included. Registration is required by calling the Children’s Museum at 603-742-2002 or families may register at the museum’s front desk.

Puppet-Making Workshop at Children's Museum

On Saturday, February 11, renowned artist and storyteller Pat Spalding will lead a puppet-making workshop for children and parents at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire. This workshop will take place from 10:30 am – noon and each participating parent/child pair will create a colorful felt puppet to take home. Pre-registration for this workshop is required.

Pat Spaulding is a writer and storyteller who in the New Hampshire Arts Roster of the NH State Council on the Arts. She toured the country for years with shows produced by her puppet company, Ha’penny Theatre. Most recently, she has set her hands free for unaccessorized storytelling that ranges from hilarious to heart-rending. She produces and stars in touring shows and also offers artist residencies in which participants construct puppet characters and learn manipulations skills that bring their puppet and stories to life.

The Children’s Museum of NH will be offering two more artist workshops this spring:

Saturday, March 10: Sarah Haskell – fiber art

Saturday, April 14: Roger Goldenberg – textural collage

The cost for each artist workshop is $25 per adult/child pair for museum members and $35 per adult/child pair for non-members. All materials are included. Registration is required by calling the Children’s Museum at 603-742-2002 or families may register at the museum’s front desk.

Earthtec Underwrites Green Alliance Membership for Children’s Museum of NH

The Children’s Museum of NH is one of the newest members of the Green Alliance, thanks to generous sponsorship by Earthtec of Portsmouth.

“I am so excited to be able to help the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire come together with the Green Alliance,” said Dennis Randall, CEO of Earthtec. “These are two of my favorite organizations on the Seacoast and they each have been providing such a culturally rich service to our community. It just makes sense that they come together to pool their creative talents. I can’t wait to see the great things that come from this collaboration.”

Justine Roberts, Executive Director of the Children’s Museum of NH, shared Randall’s enthusiasm for being part of the Green Alliance. “Being green is a given for the museum. Children are tomorrow’s leaders and citizens. It is our responsibility to model sustainability, promote stewardship and encourage the kind of innovative thinking of the everyday that will be necessary for future generations. We’re grateful to Earthtec for making it possible for us to become part of the Green Alliance.”

The Green Alliance is a green business union that connects sustainable businesses with eco-conscious communities in New England. The more than 2,000 Green Alliance consumer members enjoy special discounts from Green Alliance business partners and the organization promotes sustainable practices and innovations. More information can be found at www.greenalliance.biz.

About Earthtec

Earthtec is a Portmouth NH owned clothing company with a conscience. By putting some revolutionary technology to work, Earthtec is converting landfill-bound bottles into extraordinary fabrics and then in turn garments. To find out more, please visit Earthtec at www.earthtec.com.

About the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire

The not-for-profit Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is located at 6 Washington Street in Dover and offers two levels of hands-on, custom-created exhibits for children and families. Children can explore a wide range of subjects, from dinosaurs, music and aeronautics to world cultures, art and natural history. Open year-round, the museum specializes in creating family learning experiences and works closely with schools, social service agencies and educators. The museum also hosts a variety of live performances, workshops, classes and special events for families. For more information, please call the museum at (603) 742-2002 or visit www.childrens-museum.org.

PizzaFest Fundraiser set for Saturday, November 5

(Dover, NH - October 31, 2011) -- On Saturday, November 5, the Children’s Museum of NH is hosting its 3rd annual PizzaFest fundraiser from 5-8 pm at the museum. Sponsored by D.F. Richard, this family-friendly event also includes a silent auction, raffles and activities for kids. Tickets are just $10 in advance for adults and $7 for kids ages 3-10 (children age 2 and under are free). Tickets on the day of the event will be priced at $12 for adults and $9 for kids.

Ten area restaurants will be serving up a wide variety of pizzas from stations set up throughout the museum. This year’s participants include Dover House of Pizza, Kendall Pond II, La Festa Brick & Brew Pizzeria, Papa Gino's, Raider Laser, River Bend Pizza & Subs, Roger's Restaurant, Smiley's, Terra Cotta Pasta, and Uno's Chicago Grill.

PizzaFest attendees can sample as much pizza as they like, then vote for their favorites in the People’s Choice contest. A panel of five judges will also be sampling pizza from each restaurant and crowning winners in the categories of Best Crust, Most Creative Toppings, and Best Overall. This year’s judging panel includes:

- Jean Kerr: Editor-in-Chief of Northeast Flavor magazine, Jean is a chef, food writer and author of three cookbooks

- Patrice Gerard: this Personal Certified Executive Chef has earned culinary arts degrees from the French government and European community

- Gary Sredzienski: known for his accordion playing and WUNH-FM radio show, this local luminary is also serious about pizza and is judging for a second consecutive year

- Karrah Kwasnik: winner of the museum’s “Be a Pizza Judge” contest, Karrah is a marketing and social media strategist at Genius Switch Studio and lived in Italy where she honed her pizza-tasting skills

- Helen Fletcher: a junior at Dover High School, Helen is enrolled in the Culinary Arts Program and won an essay contest to be a judge

In addition to all the food at PizzaFest, there will be activities for children including games, interactive exploration of exhibits, and face painting by Twice The Fun. This event is family friendly but adults on their own are also welcome, as this is a great opportunity to start holiday shopping.

This year's Holiday Silent Auction will offer dozens of great gift ideas for family, friends, and business associates. Items up for bid include autographed items from the Patriots, Bruins and Red Sox, round-trip tickets on JetBlue, a framed movie poster autographed by NH's own Adam Sandler, ski passes to Gunstock and Cranmore Mountain, Water Country 2012 season passes, beautiful handmade jewelry and accessories, a $500 gift certificate toward a solar installation from Revision Energy, UNH hockey tickets, numerous gift certificates from Green Alliance businesses and local restaurants, overnight stays, and much more.

Reservations for PizzaFest can be made online at www.childrens-museum.org or calling the museum at 603-742-2002.

About the Children's Museum of New Hampshire

The not-for-profit Children's Museum of New Hampshire is located at 6 Washington Street in Dover and offers two floors of hands-on, interactive exhibits for children from newborn to age 10. Children can explore a wide range of subjects, from dinosaurs, music and aeronautics to world cultures, art and natural history. Open year-round, the Silver LEED-certified museum specializes in creating memorable family learning experiences and works closely with schools, social service agencies and educators. The museum hosts a variety of live performances, workshops, classes and special events. For more information, please visit www.childrens-museum.org

Children’s Museum of NH Presents Mexican Mask-Making Demonstration in Dover

Dover, NH – October 19, 2011 – The Children’s Museum of NH will host visiting artists Manuel Abeiro Horta and Modesto Horta, a team of mask-makers from Tocuaro, Mexico on Friday, October 28 from 10 am – 2 pm. The Horta brothers will be demonstrating their traditional process of mask making for museum visitors, and this demonstration is included with paid admission.

With nothing more than some hand-made tools forged by a local blacksmith, the brothers will transform a block of wood into an expressive work of art based on the traditions of their ancestors. Wooden masks are still used in many regions of Mexico during fiestas. The Horta brothers learned their craft at a young age and by they time they were 12, they were helping their father, famed carver Juan Horta, create wooden masks. Juan Horta created many of the carved pieces that decorate the “One World” exhibit at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire.

Manuel Abeiro particularly enjoys carving animal masks and adorning them with hair and whiskers made from the hide of wild boars. Modesto is known for his elaborately carved high-relief devil masks. The duo’s masks are painted with laquer-based automobile paints, making them durable for multi-day celebrations. Both brothers have exhibited their masks in exhibitions in the United States and Mexico, and will have a variety of these masks with them when they visit the museum. A video presentation portraying life in their rural village will also be shared at the event.

The visit to the Children’s Museum of NH is one of several scheduled throughout New England. As part of Margaritas Education Outreach Program, these artists visit local schools as well as Margaritas restaurant locations. Margaritas created the program in 1999 to bring artists, carvers and sculptors to the Northeast every year to share their talents with children as well as adults. The series provides a glimpse into the colorful culture and traditions of techniques that date back centuries.

About Margaritas Mexican Restaurants

Founded in 1986 by John Pelletier, Margaritas Mexican Restaurant Group has 23 locations throughout Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut and New Jersey. From colorful authentic décor to a commitment to community relations through field trips and visiting artist demonstrations, Margaritas provides an atmosphere rich with culture and flavors of Mexico. Margaritas Mexican Restaurants have earned numerous awards and honors, including being named Best Mexican Restaurant in both New Hampshire and Connecticut. For more information on Margaritas, visit www.margs.com

About the Children’s Museum of NH

The not-for-profit Children’s Museum of New Hampshire specializes in creating memorable family learning experiences. Located at 6 Washington Street in Dover, the Museum offers two floors of hands-on exhibits featuring a wide range of subjects ranging from dinosaurs, music and aeronautics to world cultures, natural history and engineering. The museum is open year-round and hosts a variety of live performances, workshops, classes and special events. For more information, please call 603-742-2002 or visit www.childrens-museum.org

Treats Trump Tricks at Not So Spooky Spectacular set for October 29

Treats Trump Tricks at Not So Spooky Spectacular set for October 29

(Dover NH) -- The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is hosting its annual Not-So-Spooky Spectacular on Saturday, October 29 from 10 am – 3 pm, with a focus on fun rather than fright. This event is generously underwritten by Laconia Savings Bank.

The museum’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular features a variety of activities for kids ages 10 and under, including:

- Non-food trick or treating throughout the museum from 10 am – 3 pm

- Amazing science experiments with the museum’s own Wacky Scientist at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm and :303 pm

- Tours of the museum’s decorated ‘bat cave’ from 11 am – 3 pm with a small prize from a costumed character at the end

- Fancy costumes to try on donated by Ballet New England

- Face painting

- Hands-on pumpkin projects

“This time of year, there are many activities that are all about being as scary as possible,” explained Jane Bard, Director of Education at the Children’s Museum of NH. “We like to provide an alternative for families with young children by creating an environment that’s fun and engaging, with just a hint of spookiness. Our ‘bat cave’ is lit up with white and orange lights, and our festive decorations are friendly ones. Our Wacky Scientist is sure to delight visitors with surprising science demonstrations and experiments for all to try. It’s a positive experience for all.”

Not-So-Spooky Spectacular activities are included the museum’s regular price of admission: $9 for adults and children, $8 for seniors age 65+, and free for children under one year old.

Children's Museum of NH launches Alzheimer's Café Program

Popular in Europe, first one on U.S. East Coast

(Dover NH — October 11, 2011) -- As part of a desire to serve a wider spectrum of community needs, the Children's Museum of New Hampshire is launching a new program that invites people living with Alzheimer's disease into the Museum on a monthly basis. This is the first program of its kind in the Eastern United States.

The Alzheimer's Café will be held at the Children's Museum in Dover on the third Thursday of each month from 2-4 pm, starting on October 20, 2011. People living with Alzheimer's disease will be welcomed during this time, along with their family members and care partners, to gather in a supportive, non-clinical setting to chat, relax, enjoy refreshments and socialize. Reservations are not needed and there is no cost to attend, though donations will be accepted.

“This concept of offering a regular social gathering for people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia began in Europe,” explained Paula Rais, Director of Community Engagement for the Children’s Museum of NH. “People often find themselves feeling depressed and self-conscious after being diagnosed, and the people in their support network may also feel in need of support. Having a regular place to go and meet others in a purely social setting each month can provide a welcome destination with an understanding community of people.”

Alzheimer’s Café programs are established in a number of European countries and Canada’s first program was launched in Nova Scotia this past February. In the United States, there are now programs open in New Mexico, California, Oregon and Washington. These programs are held in a variety of settings, including theatres, historic buildings and restaurants.

“We feel that our Museum is an ideal place for an Alzheimer’s Café,” said Rais. “We know that intergenerational experiences are beneficial for all ages, and our Museum is designed to be engaging for adults as well as children. Many elders did not have the experience of going to a children’s museum as a child, so these visits give them the opportunity to see how we approach conceptual learning now compared to what they might have experienced, and this always stimulates discussion and reflection.”

The launch of the Alzheimer’s Café at the Museum follows on the heels of another successful community initiative called Exploring Our Way – The Children's Museum of NH's Autism Partnership Program. This program has has achieved high attendance and acclaim since it began in March 2010. Exploring Our Way is held at the Museum on the second Sunday morning of each month for families with children on the autism spectrum at no cost. This program takes place when the Museum is closed to the public and offers families the chance to explore the Museum together, with support from museum staff, trained volunteers and special materials such as mapping tools and social stories.

For more information about the Alzheimer's Café or Exploring Our Way, please contact Paula Rais via email atpaula@childrens-museum.org or by phone at (603) 742-2002.

About the Children's Museum of New Hampshire

The not-for-profit Children's Museum of New Hampshire is located at 6 Washington Street in Dover and offers two floors of hands-on, custom-created exhibits for children and their families. Kids can explore a wide range of subjects ranging from dinosaurs, music and aeronautics to world cultures, art and natural history. Open year-round, the Museum works closely with schools, social service agencies and educators. The Museum also hosts a variety of live performances workshops, classes and special events for families. For more information, please visit www.childrens-museum.org.

Children’s Museum of New Hampshire

6 Washington Street, Dover NH 03820

603-742-2002

www.childrens-museum.org

Children’s Museum of NH Teddy Bear Clinic set for August 10

IMAGE CAPTION: Dr. Katy Lilly of Woodbury Family Practice does a temperature check at the Teddy Bear Clinic scheduled for August 10 from 10 am – noon at the Children’s Museum of NH in Dover.

Children are invited to bring their favorite stuffed friends to the annual Teddy Bear Clinic at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire on Wednesday, August 10 from 10 am – noon.

Volunteer health professionals from event sponsor Portsmouth Regional Hospital will be on hand with museum staff to register animals, issue ID bracelets, perform health check-ups, share information about healthy eating and exercise, and conduct minor surgery on furry friends in need of repair. This event is designed to not only be fun, but also help children who may be afraid of visiting the doctor. Children are able to play the role of parents as they take their stuffed animal through each step of the clinic and will receive a certificate of good health at the end of their appointment.

A tea party for children and their “guests” will follow the Teddy Bear Clinic from 12-12:30 pm with organic milk and cookies provided by Stonyfield Farm and fresh fruit generously donated by Fiddlehead Farms Marketplace.

All Teddy Bear Clinic and Tea Party activities are included with paid admission to the museum [$8 adults & children, $7 seniors] and the event is free for museum members.

The Children’s Museum of NH is located in Henry Law Park on the Cochecho River in downtown Dover, making it an ideal day-trip destination. Several free outdoor concerts are held in the park each week, there is a playground and picnic area, and dozens of restaurants and shops are within an easy walk. More information on planning a trip to Dover can be found at www.dovernh.org.

About the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire

The not-for-profit Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is located at 6 Washington Street in Dover and offers two levels of hands-on, custom-created exhibits for children ages 1-12. Children can explore a wide range of subjects, from dinosaurs, music and aeronautics to world cultures, art and natural history. Open year-round, the museum specializes in creating family learning experiences and works closely with schools, social service agencies and educators. The museum also hosts a variety of live performances, workshops, classes and special events for families. For more information, please call the museum at (603) 742-2002 or visit www.childrens-museum.org

Children’s Museum of New Hampshire

6 Washington Street, Dover NH 03820

603-742-2002

www.childrens-museum.org

Summer of Special Events Planned at Children’s Museum of NH

The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover is hosting a wide range of special events for families this summer. From a local foods farmer’s market to tender loving care for tattered teddy bears, the museum’s special events are all open to the public and included in the regular price of admission: $8 for adults and children, $7 for seniors age 65+, and free for children under one year old. During the summer, the museum is open to visitors seven days a week.

The Children’s Museum of NH is located in Henry Law Park on the Cochecho River in downtown Dover, making it an ideal day-trip destination. Several free outdoor concerts are held in the park each week, there is a playground and picnic area, and dozens of restaurants and shops are within an easy walk. More information on planning a trip to Dover can be found at www.dovernh.org.

This summer’s special events at the Children’s Museum of NH include:

Four on the Fourth

Monday, July 4

10 am – 5 pm

- Celebrate the Fourth of July with $4 admission all day long. This half-price admission applies to adults as well as children, and visitors are free to leave for lunch and come back in to play later!

Colossal Construction Day

Monday, July 11

10 am - 3 pm

- Can we build it? Yes we can! Join us for a day of design & engineering challenges for all ages. From buildings & bridges to vehicles & your own imaginative creations, the sky is the limit on Colossal Construction Day. Lego your Mind will be providing kids with LEGO building elements, axles, and wheels of all sizes to enable them to free build rolling creations that will be tested down a ramp for speed and distance.

Local Roots Food Fair

Tuesday, July 20

1-4 pm

- Discover the joy of eating local at this seasonal food fair, presented in partnership with Hannaford Supermarkets. The museum will welcome a variety of area farmers and local food purveyors for an afternoon of tasty sampling, hands-on activities for kids, and coupons and information for parents.

Bubble Science Day

Tuesday, July 26

10 am - 3 pm

- Parents and children can roll up their sleeves for some good, clean fun when the Children’s Museum celebrates Bubble Science Day. The museum’s large classroom will be transformed into a bubble laboratory where families can experiment with bubble shapes, colors and sizes, and build 3-D bubble shapes, walls and windows. In the museum’s Project Area, children can make bubble wands to take home, and parents can pick up hand-outs with more ideas for bubble play to continue the learning at home.

Teddy Bear Clinic & Tea Party

Wednesday, August 10

10 am – 12:30 pm

- Children are invited to bring their favorite stuffed friend to the museum’s annual Teddy Bear Clinic from 10 a.m. – noon, followed by a Teddy Tea Party from noon – 12:30 pm. This event is designed to not only be fun, but also help children who may be anxious about visiting the doctor. Volunteer health professionals will be on hand to issue each animal an ID bracelet, perform health check-ups, and conduct minor surgery on furry friends in need of repair. At the noontime tea party, guests will enjoy juice, animal crackers and fruit.

Patterns & Puzzles Day

Thursday, August 18

10 am - 3 pm

- Patterns are everywhere! Join us as we look at the world in a whole new way as we seek out patterns and get creative with exhibit-related pattern activities and take-home projects throughout the museum. Older children & adults will scratch their heads as they work to solve brainteasers and riddles sure to give your brain a work-out!

Build It. Fly It. Day

Tuesday, August 23

10 am - 3 pm

- Young imaginations will soar as children create their own flying machines using a variety of everyday materials in this high-flying challenge. Kids will learn about the principles of aerodynamics and flight as they test their creations in the museum’s two-and-a-half-story Build It. Fly It. exhibit. Whose invention will fly, flip or flop? Visitors can also try their hand at constructing some other simple flyers to test and take home.

The museum will also be staying open extended hours on the nights of Cochecho Arts Festival evening performances in Henry Law Park. On Friday nights between July 8 and August 12, the Children’s Museum of NH will remain open to the public until 7 pm to welcome families arriving early for the concerts.

More information on all of these events can be found at www.childrens-museum.org. The Children’s Museum of NH is open all summer Mon – Sat 10 am – 5 pm and Sun 12-5 pm.

About the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire

The not-for-profit Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is located at 6 Washington Street in Dover and offers two levels of hands-on, custom-created exhibits for children ages 1-12. Children can explore a wide range of subjects, from dinosaurs, music and aeronautics to world cultures, art and natural history. Open year-round, the museum specializes in creating family learning experiences and works closely with schools, social service agencies and educators. The museum also hosts a variety of live performances, workshops, classes and special events for families. For more information, please call the museum at (603) 742-2002 or visit www.childrens-museum.org

Children’s Museum of New Hampshire

6 Washington Street, Dover NH 03820

603-742-2002

www.childrens-museum.org

Children’s Museum celebrates Dino Day during April school vacation week

(Dover, NH / April 6, 2011) – The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire invites children to spend one of their school vacation days doing a little learning about some really big creatures. On Thursday, April 28 from 10 am – 3 pm, the museum will celebrate Dinosaur Day with a major focus on kids’ favorite prehistoric beasts.

Dino Day participants are invited to explore a variety of hands-on dinosaur activities and demonstrations, such as examining and arranging fossil replicas, learning the difference between plant eaters and meat eaters, creating a dinosaur egg to take home and hatch, inventing a unique dinosaur of their own, reading dinosaur books, and playing the role of paleontologist to search for clues in the museum’s Dino Detective exhibit.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet the museum’s new dinosaur friend Jack, an 8-foot-tall Tyrannosaurus Rex made of paper mache. Jack was created by children in the Edgewood Centre’s childcare program, and received finishing touches from employees at the Portsmouth Home Depot. He has now been donated to the Children’s Museum of NH and makes appearances for special occasions.

All activities for Dinosaur Day are included in the regular price of admission ($8 adults and children, $7 seniors) and are free for museum members.

About the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire

The not-for-profit Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is located at 6 Washington Street in Dover and offers two levels of hands-on, custom-created exhibits for children ages 1-12. Children can explore a wide range of subjects, from dinosaurs, music and aeronautics to world cultures, art and natural history. Open year-round, the museum hosts a variety of live performances, workshops, classes and special events, and serves as a critical resource to families, schools, and social service agencies. For more information, please call the museum at (603) 742-2002 or visit www.childrens-museum.org

Free Memorial Day Weekend Admission to Children's Museum for Military Families ~ Sponsored by BAE Systems

Children’s Museum of New Hampshire

6 Washington Street

Dover, NH 03820

(603) 742-2002

www.childrens-museum.org

BAE Systems Sponsors Free Memorial Day Weekend Admission for Military Families

(Dover, NH – March 14, 2011) – This Memorial Day Weekend, the families of military service members will be able to enjoy free admission to the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire thanks to BAE Systems. Generous corporate sponsorship from BAE is allowing the Children’s Museum of NH to admit active-duty and retired military personnel and their immediate families at no charge from Saturday, May 28 through Monday, May 30, 2011.

“Military families endure many hardships as a result of their loved ones service to our country,“ says Lu Goncalves-Getty, Community & Business Relations Manager at BAE Systems. “BAE Systems’ partnership with the NH Children’s Museum is not only a way to say thank you but also provide an opportunity for military families to spend cherished time together.”

During Memorial Day weekend, military personnel and/or their immediate family members will be admitted free to the Children’s Museum of NH by showing a valid military ID at the museum’s front desk. Additional guests would be asked to pay the museum’s standard admission fee. The museum offers a year-round 10% admission discount for active-duty and retired military members.

“We are thrilled to be able to honor and thank the people serving our country during Memorial Day Weekend,” stated Jane Bard, Director of Education for the Children’s Museum of NH. “Whether it’s an enlisted person serving locally or the family of an officer deployed overseas, we look forward to welcoming all of these guests thanks to the generosity of BAE Systems.”

In addition to the Memorial Day Weekend program, the museum is partnering with the Operation Military Kids and Blue Star Families organizations for the entire month of May. Museum visitors will be invited to write notes and letters of thanks that will be sent to active duty military personnel, their spouses, families and children. Museum visitors an also create cards for veterans who have served this country. Operation Military Kids and Blue Star Families will collect the cards and letters from the museum and distribute them around the country and overseas.