The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, overlooking the Cochecho River in downtown Dover, is an award-winning family favorite destination, featuring two floors of hands-on exhibits and activities for kids ages 0–12. The museum, founded in 1983 by parents and educators, is all about hands-on play and discovery.
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Here, learning happens as kids bounce from exhibit to exhibit. A Yellow Submarine teaches kids about ocean life. Dinosaur Detectives learn about fossils and land erosion. The Pattern Palace invites kids to build and learn with colors, shapes, and patterns. The Primary Place features puppets and a toddler-size train table. An outdoor Play Patio lets kids get messy with paint, bubbles, and water. A STEAM Innovation Lab challenges young engineers to design, build, and experiment. These are just a few examples of the fun exhibits and activities the museum offers.
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Every year the museum serves over 100,000 kids and adults. Members get free admission year round. Admission is $14.50 for adults and kids over the age of 12 months, and free for kids under 12 months. EBT and WIC cardholders pay $3.50 per person. Veterans and their immediate family members pay half-off admission year round. Active military members and their immediate family members pay half-off admission during the school year and enjoy free admission Armed Forces Day through Labor Day as part of the Blue Star Museums program.
The museum asks that visitors book their visit online in advance. Hours are Wednesdays through Saturdays, 9am–Noon and 1–4pm, and Tuesdays and Sundays 9am–Noon. Summer hours include an afternoon play session on Tuesdays from 1–4pm.
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FEBRUARY HOURS
Normal Winter Hours: Open Wednesdays–Saturdays, 9am–noon or 1–4pm; Tuesdays & Sundays, 9am–noon. SCHOOL VACATION WEEK HOURS: The Museum will be open on Tuesdays, February 17 & 24 for both the morning (9am–noon) and the afternoon (1–4pm) play sessions. Before visiting, the Museum asks all guests to reserve tickets online to help provide the best experience for all visitors. Learn more at https://childrens-museum.org/plan-your-visit/.
Be the “First-To-Climb” Our New Luckey Climber, an exciting new exhibit being installed in the Fall of 2026! Get tickets now for this “First-to-Climb Party” Raffle Fundraiser. Happening now through Friday, August 28, 2026 at noon! You could win a chance to win a private two-hour Museum rental for your group to be the first to experience the Climber in the Fall of 2026 (date TBD). Includes Museum admission for up to 60 people, a special craft, party favors, and Museum staff to help facilitate your event (Value: $1,000). Tickets are $20 each or 3 for $50 with all proceeds going towards the purchase of the custom-designed Climber! https://childrens-museum.org/programs/first-to-climb-party-raffle-fundraiser/
Children’s Museum of New Hampshire Car or Cash Raffle
Raffle Tickets on Sale Monday, March 9 through Noon on Thursday, June 4
Raffle Winner Announced: Thursday, June 4
The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire’s annual car raffle fundraiser is here and we’re excited to be partnering again with Bill Dube Ford Toyota! Only 700 tickets (less than previous years) will be sold, and tickets are on sale for only $100. The winner can choose between $25,000 towards a new vehicle of their choice from Bill Dube Ford Toyota - OR $20,000 cash. A 2nd place winner will win $5,000 cash! A $1,000 door prize will be awarded to a ticket purchaser who attends the live drawing event, to be held June 4 at The Brook! Early Bird Purchasers: Anyone who purchases a raffle ticket between March 9 and March 31 will automatically be entered into a weekly giveaway for an additional raffle ticket. Increase your chances of winning by purchasing your raffle tickets early! To purchase tickets, visithttps://childrens-museum.org/programs/car-or-cash-raffle/ Winning tickets will be drawn at a free event for all purchasers (ages 18+) on Thursday, June 4 between 5–6:30pm at The Brook, 319 New Zealand Road in Seabrook, NHsponsored by The Boulos Company. This raffle fundraiser is sponsored by Bill Dube Ford Toyota, Rock 101, Z107 and 96.7 News Radio.
Wee Ones Wednesday Classes for Kids Ages 2-4 & Caregivers
Scheduled on a variety of Wednesdays throughout the school year, from 9:15-10am
Summary: Wee Ones Wednesdays is an interactive weekly PRE pre-school program for kids ages 2-4 and their caregivers, designed to include art, music, movement, and conceptual learning.
Join Miss Xanthi at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire for this interactive weekly program for children ages 2–4. Designed as a PRE pre-school program for children and a parent or caregiver, we will enjoy art, music, movement, and conceptual learning together! This program is limited to 10 children, and caregivers or adults are welcome to sign up multiple children within their family. Pre-reservation/payment is required and does not include museum admission. Reservations to stay and play in museum exhibits must be made separately. Visit https://childrens-museum.org/programs/classes/ for information on fees and to reserve your spot.
No matter which day you visit the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, you can plan on enjoying not only the museum’s many hands-on interactive exhibits, but also activities, projects, and crafts all included with admission. For example, if you visit on a Wednesday, you might get to try a Wacky Art Wednesday art project to take home. On Fridays, guests can join in aScience Friday experiment. Every day the museum is open, museum educators will offer you and your children a chance to try something unique. https://childrens-museum.org/programs/included-with-admission/
Museum Maker Club: Rainbows and Leprechauns
Tuesday, March 10 (One class), 3:30–4:30 PM
Join the Museum Maker Club at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire! This program is for grades K-3, and is offered monthly with different themes each time. Our March theme is Rainbows and Leprechauns, and students will learn about rainbows through fun experiments, games, and art projects! Each session includes a take home art or engineering project- this month it’s building a leprechaun trap. Museum Maker Club is a drop off program, though we welcome grown ups to stay nearby or in the building during class time. Maker Club will be held in our STEAM Lab - please note that the museum is closed to the public on Tuesday afternoons. Cost is $15 per child for members; $18 per child for non-members. Pre-registration is required. Visit https://childrens-museum.org/programs/classes/museum-maker-club/ to learn more.
CALL FOR MAKERS – New Hampshire Maker Fest
Deadline for applications is Monday, May 18, 2026
Date of NH Maker Fest: Saturday, June 6, 10am–3pm
Join us at the 14th annual New Hampshire Maker Fest, an all ages celebration of creativity and innovation taking place in and around the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in downtown Dover, NH on Saturday, June 6 from 10am–3pm. If you are an engineer, a scientist, a baker, a tinkerer, a hobbyist, or an artisan, we want to see what you do! Makers must offer a demonstration, free make-and-take activity, or some kind of interactive experience. Sign up to be a Maker presenter, performer, sponsor, to give a workshop, or to sell your creations. Visithttps://childrens-museum.org/programs/nh-maker-fest/ to learn more or to register.
Exploring Our Way: Sensory Friendly Playtime
October through June, rotates monthly between Tuesdays, 1-3pm and Sundays, 1-3pm
Summary: Families can enjoy a deeply discounted Sensory Friendly Playtime at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover, once a month.
For some children, a museum visit is challenging and over-stimulating. The Exploring Our Way: Sensory Friendly Playtimes at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover are exclusive to families of children with special needs. These reduced admission, low-sensory events are designed for children with autism spectrum or sensory processing disorders to explore the Museum along with their families without the noise, crowds, and stimulation of a typical day. The museum is closed to the public during Exploring our Way playtimes. We limit attendance, turn down sounds and lights, provide a quiet zone with sensory activities, and have noise canceling headphones to borrow. A medical diagnosis is not required. Online reservations are required and cost $3.50 per person, regardless of age, and are free for museum Members. https://childrens-museum.org/programs/exploring-our-way/
Video credit: Children's Museum of New Hampshire
