Dover, NH (Monday, September 16, 2024) – After being closed for its annual maintenance weeks, the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is reopening on Wednesday, September 18. Construction on two new exhibits set to open in early 2025 will continue while the museum is open to the public.

"Our construction crew made wonderful progress while we were closed," shared CMNH President, Jane Bard. "All the steel beams have been welded in place and the cement floors for the Play Loft and for the ramp leading to our Little Farmers exhibit will be poured before we reopen on Wednesday."

The museum's Dino Detective exhibit will be inaccessible for the time being, because of its location directly below the Play Loft. "The other few exhibits that were impacted by the construction like the Post Office and the Thinkering Lab raceways ramps, have been relocated to different areas of the museum," said Bard.

Fall at the museum is a busy time for the Children's Museum as it kicks off its annual Toddlerfest Celebrations, geared toward their youngest visitors. "We're so grateful that we can take on this exciting exhibit expansion, all while staying open for our families!" said Bard. The Toddlerfest schedule, running Tuesday, September 24 through Sunday, October 6, features special programs and guests, all included with museum admission and free for museum members. Families can try a nature program with White Pine Programs, sample a toddler dance class with Belletete Ballet Studio, a spanish lesson with One World Language School, explore some yoga with Relief Parenting, or try a music class with The Sonatina Center. Or families can sample what the museum educators offer at the museum throughout the school year like Wacky Art Wednesdays, Science Fridays, Toddler Tinker Time, or Cultural Crafts.

Something new is offered every day, sometimes by CMNH museum staff, most of whom are educators themselves. Jane Bard, CMNH Director, will lead a Messy Paint Crawl. "It's exactly what it sounds like," she laughed. "Let the babies and toddlers roam, crawl, slap, and roll their way through washable paint on a floor canvas. Excellent messy sensory activity you may not want to attempt at home, but we're happy to facilitate here!"

Noelle Duffy, CMNH's Visitor Services Associate, will dress up for a Princess Storytime inside one of her favorite exhibits, Pattern Palace.

Neva Cole, CMNH Communications Director and artist, will lead a Collage Chaos art project in the Muse Studio. "It'll be a chance to rip and tear up painted papers and go crazy with glue!"

Colie McClain, CMNH Education Coordinator, is excited to do some Parachute Play. "We played with the parachutes during our summer camps, and it was very popular!"

Emily Zaleski, CMNH Lead Educator, is looking forward to welcoming back families to the Baby Storytime program, which is an informal drop-in play group that happens weekly on Wednesday mornings during the school year. "We pause the program over the summer, and I really miss seeing those babies every week!"

A full schedule of Toddlerfest program dates and times can be viewed online at www.childrens-museum.org. Online reservations required, but all programming is included with museum admission.

Fall Museum Hours: Open Wednesdays–Saturdays, 9am–Noon or 1–4pm; Tuesdays & Sundays, 9am–Noon. Before visiting, the Museum asks all guests to reserve and pre-pay online to help provide the best experience for all visitors. Learn more at www.childrens-museum.org. Please note that a visit to the museum may look different this fall due to construction of two new exhibits set to open in early 2025.

About The Children's Museum of New Hampshire

The 501(c)(3) not-for-profit Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is located at 6 Washington Street in Dover and offers two levels of hands-on, interactive exhibits for children from newborn to middle school. Children can explore a wide range of subjects, from dinosaurs, music and aeronautics to world cultures, art, natural history, and S.T.E.A.M.. 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. A central part of the museum’s mission is ensuring accessibility, and the “Reach All Initiative” works towards this goal by welcoming over 28% of yearly visitors for free or reduced admission. 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