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Category: In the News

Dinosaur on Loan!

T-Rex Takes over CMNH

Dino Skull Loan June17

A visit to the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover just got a bit more Cretaceous! A life-size Tyrannosaurus Rex skull cast, along with a life-size footprint cast, have been loaned to the museum for the summer and now live in the popular Dino Detective Exhibit.

Generously loaned to the museum by Shawn Warren of The PAST, and made possible by the love and support of June Marie Warren and William Donald Warren of Neillsville, Wisconsin, the T. Rex specimens (known as AMNH 5027) join an augmented reality sand table, Triceratop fossil casts and an area to dig for fossils and make ammonite fossil rubbings.

“We’re very excited to have these replicas on loan to the museum,” said Eric Erwin, CMNH Exhibits Manager. “They make a great compliment to the hands-on pieces that make up our Dino Detective exhibit, and I have a feeling the kids will love posing with this giant skull and footprint!”

Specimen AMNH 5027, the fossil of an adult Tyrannosaurus Rex, was discovered over 100 years ago in the Hell Creek Formation of Montana in 1907 by Barnum Brown. The T. Rex, while living would have measured 20 feet in height, 50 feet in length and weighed 7 tons. The original skull fossil was on display at the American Natural History Museum in 1915, where it fueled a generation of imaginings about this towering and impressive carnivore. There have since been many additional discoveries of T. Rex specimens, and the AMNH mount is no longer the only or most complete T. Rex around. But, it was the first.

The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is now open seven days a week for summer hours. Guests can visit anytime Mondays through Saturdays, 10am-5pm and Sundays, noon-5pm. Fun in all the exhibits is included with museum admission which is $10 per person for everyone over the ages of 12 months. Seniors 65+ pay only $9.

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2017 5K Road Race Fundraiser

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The Children's Museum of New Hampshire will hold its annual 5K Road Race/Walk & Kid-venture Course on Saturday, May 6, 2017 and is looking for participants. The Children’s Museum’s 5k is the first race in the Seacoast Road Race Series. Proceeds from all races in the series benefit non-profits like the museum.

“Our race is different from a lot of races in the area,” said Neva Cole, CMNH Communications Director. “It is a certified course and is for runners as well as walkers, but on race day it’s like a giant party in Henry Law Park in downtown Dover. We have amazing food including a Tasty Toppings Yogurt Bar, sponsored by Hannaford Supermarkets and featuring Stonyfield yogurt, music by our MC and local radio personality Mike Pomp, and a newly designed Kid-venture Course for kids who might be a little too young to run in the 5k just yet!”

The 5K for adults begins at 9am at the intersection of Central Avenue, Washington Street and Henry Law Avenue. The course runs up Central Avenue to Chapel Street, up Portland Avenue and back down to Henry Law Park. Post-race activities, including an awards ceremony and refreshments, will take place in Henry Law Park following the race. The 5K registration fee is $22 in advance and $25 on the day of the race. Walk-up registration for the 5k will be available at The Children’s Museum on race day starting at 7:30am up until 15 minutes prior to the start of the 5k.

Children ages 12 and younger can participate in the Kid-venture Course, which takes place at 10am in Henry Law Park. “The KidVenture Course will feature a series of zany, exhibit-themed challenge,” shared Jane Bard, CMNH President. “From crab walking under the ‘sea’ and crawling through caterpillar tunnels, to transporting dino eggs to their nest and crossing the (pretend) Cocheco River, there is something fun for everyone! We’ve partnered with The Works Family Health and Fitness Center to create this course and I think it will have children moving, grooving and stretching their creative muscles!”

All Kid-venture Course participants will receive a ribbon and t-shirt while supplies last. The entry fee for the Kid-venture Course is $8 in advance and $10 on race day.

Also new this year, the museum invites participants to raise donations through CrowdRise. “You can sign up to fundraise as an individual or a as a team through CrowdRise and the fundraising team who raises the most money by May 5 will get to enjoy an exclusive VIP hospitality tent on race day, stocked with food, beverages and attendants!” shared Cole. Visit www.crowdrise.com/ChildrensMuseumofNewHampshire5K to sign up to fundraise. Fundraising teams can raise money together, but cannot sign up to race in the 5k or Kid-venture Course as a team.

To learn more or to register, visit www.childrens-museum.org/things-to-do/events/5k-road-race-fun-run. The museum thanks it’s 2017 Road Race sponsors including Sprague, The Works Family Health & Fitness Center, Formax, Relyco, Weathervane, Burns, Bryant, Cox, Rockefeller & Durkin, PA, Willem Verweij Physical Therapy, Bob’s Discount Furniture and Hannaford Supermarkets.

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Dr. Seuss's Birthday

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Books Alive Lorax 04

Hi everyone!
How do you do?
Did you know that today,
is special for you?

It’s Dr. Seuss’s birthday!
So give him a cheer,
Because the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire
is inviting you to the party this year!

There’ll be crafts and activities
in the MUSE Studio
We’ll read your favorite books
like Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

A scavenger hunt
will put your wit to the test.
So put on your striped hat
for this amazing quest!

All these fun things
are included with the regular admission fee.
What a fun day of laughs
just come for yourself and see!



by Kelly Sorge,
CMNH Intern and Enthusiastic Student of Dr. Seuss

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​Spooky Science and Fairy Fun at Annual Not-So-Spooky Spectacular

Nsss11 Wacky Sci And Batman2

Halloween is celebrated at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire with science experiments with the resident “Wacky Scientist,” Fairy Bubbles, fairy wand-making, scavenger hunts, a costume contest, pumpkin clay and bat hat creations. During the Not-So-Spooky Spectacular on Saturday, October 29, parents and children will be offered lots of spook-free activities, crafts and fun, all free with museum admission.

This annual family-oriented event mixes costumes with hands-on learning, trades in candy for crafts, and offers little ghosts and goblins a chance to discover something new with interactive science experiments. “And as a bonus,” adds Jane Bard, CMNH President, “No one will jump out and scare you!”

This year’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular is set for Saturday, October 29 from 10am–5pm inside the museum at 6 Washington Street in Dover.

The day’s activities for kids and families include:

  • Touring our exhibits in your costumes
  • Experiencing amazing science experiments with the museum's own Wacky Scientist at 11:30 am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm and 2:30pm
  • Visiting ‘FairyLand’ where the fairies will guide you in making your own fairy wands
  • Trying your hand at a Fairy bubble experiment
  • Enjoying a trick-or-treat scavenger hunt around the museum and collecting stamps to receive an extra special prize
  • Competing in a costume contest at 3:15pm with your fellow ghouls
  • Creating crafts with pumpkin clay and crafting funky bat hats

All Not-So-Spooky Spectacular festivities are included in regular paid admission ($10 for adults and children, no charge for children under 12 months old) and free for Children's Museum of NH Members.

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​Museum Opens Doors to Children on Autism Spectrum


Families with children on the autism spectrum are invited to the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire for a free visit on the first Sunday of every month. Exploring Our Way provides opportunities for guests to enjoy family time at the museum in a safe, understanding environment, allows parents to network with one another and helps families discover new resources.

“Sunday mornings are very quiet,” said Paula Rais, CMNH Vice President of Development and Community Engagement. “The museum doesn’t open to the public until noon, so we invite these families in to experience the museum for a stress-free morning from 10am-noon. Siblings are always welcome, and the families can stay after we open the museum to the public if they feel comfortable. We hope their visit during Exploring Our Way will give them the confidence to come back and explore during regular hours.”

Often, a children’s museum can be a loud and overwhelming place, especially for children with sensory issues. “The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire’s mission is to actively engage families in hands-on discovery,” said CMNH President Jane Bard. “And that means, ALL families. We take that very seriously here and do everything we can to accommodate families facing these unique challenges.”

Exploring Our Way Autism Partnership Program takes place next on Sunday, October 2, 10am-noon and is sponsored by H.O.P.E. Behavioral Consulting. This program is free.

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MUSE Studio gets Reinvented

Muse Studio 2016 58

Thanks to D.F. Richard, one of the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire’s busiest spaces, the MUSE Studio, is getting a makeover. For the past eight years, museum visitors of all ages have engaged in creative activities and challenges in the MUSE Studio. “Activities change every month here in the MUSE Studio,” shared Meredith Lamothe, CMNH Early Childhood and Literacy Coordinator, “the equipment and furniture needs to be versatile so we can use it in many different ways.”

The Studio now features a newly designed magnet table, inspiring artwork by local artist Sam Paolini, new technology for storytelling with a computer kiosk and an Elmo projector, a burlap-covered sewing table for collaborative art-making, and a pegboard table that can be taken on the road for the museum’s outreach programs. Renovations also include new tables and chairs, and of course, new art supplies.

Some other new features might not be as noticeable, but are equally important. The MUSE Studio also has a host of new picture books, open shelving for displaying artwork, and a curtain wall that will be utilized during special events like the popular Books Alive character appearance.

All MUSE Studio activities are free with museum admission. Muse Studio revitalization is supported through the generosity of D.F. Richard.

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​Dover Mini Maker Faire Showcases Local Innovation

Giant Jenga

With the end of summer comes New Hampshire’s only one-day Maker Faire. On Saturday, August 27, from 10am-4pm the Dover Mini Maker Faire will take over the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, and indeed, most of Dover.

“The ‘Mini’ only refers to the fact that it’s a one day event,” shared Jane Bard, President of CMNH. “There’s really nothing small about this Faire.” With 63 Maker presenters and 8 food vendors, this fourth annual Faire will be the largest one yet.

The Dover Mini Maker Faire is a hands-on festival that celebrates the creativity and innovation of NH’s creative “Makers.” “NH is well known for it’s artisan community, and that, combined with our booming tech industries and ‘Live free or die’ attitude results in some really amazing inventions,” shared Bard. Visitors of the Faire can not only expect to learn something new but to also try their hand at “Making.”

“People come to the Dover Mini Maker Faire to learn new things and to get inspired. I can’t think of any other Faire where you can see a short film, play with clay, and legos and circuits and electricity and then top it off with challenging a stormtrooper to a game of giant jenga!”

The Faire, which takes place from 10am-4pm at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, Henry Law Park and One Washington Mill in Dover, is always scheduled the last weekend of the summer. “We think it’s a great way to send kids back to school inspired,” shared Jane. Although, kids are not the only ones who will enjoy this Faire. “Over half the people who visit the Faire come without kids, which tells us there’s a lot of interest in the local maker movement from adults.”

Small sampling of some of the 2016 Makers:

Cider Hill Homestead Honey, York, ME

Ever wanted to learn about keeping bees? Heather Razin a beekeeper from York, Maine will be on hand at this year’s Faire, and while she’ll leave the bees at home, she’ll bring along her bee suits for Faire guests to try on, learn about the equipment and taste honey!

Form Lab, Hopkinton, NH

Form lab is an art studio run by Joe and Rachel Montroy. They use a variety of materials, primarily metal and clay to make sculptural and functional objects. Stop by their booth to play with some clay and watch them demonstrate a variety of techniques, such as throwing on the potter's wheel and bronze casting.

NAO Humanoid Robot, Portsmouth, NH

NAO Humanoid Robot is a robot that helps and inspires kids to learn in the classroom. NAO interacts with touch, voice or vision and is designed for educational interactions with children ages 5 and up. See NAO, the world's leading humanoid robot, perform live at this year’s Dover Mini Maker Faire!

The Cupcake Queen, Manchester, NH

12 year old Katie McQuaid has known since a young age what she wanted to do. She started mixing and making her own cupcakes about a year ago and has perfected 3 cupcakes that she now promotes and sells. Stop by to try a cupcake and learn more about an amazing young entrepreneur who is following her dreams.

Fishertechnik Robot, Newmarket, NH

Madison Kelly and Marie Hoehner, students at the Seacoast School of Technology will have a Fisherntechnik robot for guests to play and interact with. Fisherntechnik has robot kits that offer a variety of robotic products that can be combined however you want. These young Makers, in collaboration with their teacher Vaso Partinoudi, will have a computer running a program that controls their one-of-a-kind robot.

Sensor-bilitY, Northwood, NH

Sensor-bilitY, from Northwood, NH, makes affordable multi-sensory toys and tools for kids. They’ll have their products for sale as well as fun tables set up with all sorts of hands on play. The interactive sensory tables are designed by a 12 year old "creative director" who is on the autism spectrum.

The Northeast Bucaneers, Cape Neddick, ME

The Dover Mini Maker Faire will be taken over by these pirates, entertainers and merrimakers this year! Don’t be surprised if they challenge you to a sword fight, try to educate you on proper pirate etiquette or demand to take a selfie with you! Don’t worry, they’re friendlier than they look.

Delicious Science with Sub Zero Ice Cream, Nashua, NH

Sub Zero will show you how "cool" science can be! We provide a look at the states of matter, the relationship between volume, pressure and temperature and even the Leidenfrost effect. With visual experiments performed before your eyes YOU get to interactively participate by providing your hypotheses as to what the outcome of the experiments will be! Science is delicious!

Segway, Inc., Bedford, NH

Segway is making their first appearance at the Dover Mini Maker Faire! Discover their innovative and energy conscious products. Whether you’re developing a robotics app, taking on a new adventure, exploring the sights or focusing on improving employee productivity, it’s more fun to do so with style. Simplify your world and enjoy work and play that much more with Segway!

NEMO Equipment, Dover, NH

Dover based company NEMO Equipment returns to exhibit some of its cutting edge outdoor industry designs. Stop by and learn about the creative process, how the gear is made, the technologies used, and how NEMO equipment can help fuel your next adventure!

Maine State Library SLA Printer, Augusta, ME

The Maine State Library will be joining us at this year’s Faire and will be bringing some fun equipment! The Kudo 3D is an SLA (stereolithographic) 3D printer. It essentially works by projecting UV light to harden a special resin, layer by layer, to create a 3D object. It’s just one of the awesome tech devices available in their Makerspace.

Lights, camera, ACTION!, Chester, NH

The Narrow Street Films stunt team has been creating stage and film action pieces for close to ten years. Members have some impressive training including military training, weapons handling, guns, knives, swords and bo staff handling and much more. Members of the NSF Stunt team will be hosting a workshop on the ins and outs of making a cool, dynamic, and dangerous (looking) action scene!

Google Cardboard Virtual Tour Demonstration, Barrington, NH

Have you always wanted to see a tour of the statue of Liberty, but never had the chance? Want to visit the Children's Museum of New Hampshire when it's closed, in the comfort of your own home? Now is your chance! Make it Active, LLC, a Google Trusted Photography Street View Partner, will be at this year’s Faire with a Google Cardboard Virtual Reality Demonstration, along with simple instructions on how to build your own Google Cardboard at home!

Boogalow’s Island BBQ, Seabrook, NH

Check out Seabrook NH’s own Boogalow Island BBQ! Boogalow’s serves up delicious Jamaican BBQ including jerk spiced chicken, curry, short rib sandwiches and more. This food truck is a must for any BBQ lover and brings a slice of Jamaica right here to New Hampshire!

Tickets to the Dover Mini Maker Faire are on sale now for $10. Tickets will cost $12 at the door and kids ages 5 and under are free. Purchase tickets, learn more or sign up to volunteer at www.makerfairedover.com.

The Dover Mini Maker Faire is sponsored by the Unique College Savings Plan by Fidelity, VELCRO® Brand, Alexander Technology Group, Prime Buchholz, Beswick Engineering, The Rowley Agency, Construction Services of New Hampshire, Albany Engineered Composites, Chinburg Properties, Holy Rosary Credit Union, Garrison Women’s Health, Coed Sportswear, Inc. and Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, PA. Media sponsorships have been provided by iHeart Media, 95.3 The Bull, Z107, NH1 News on WBIN TV and New Hampshire Public Television.

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Dover Mini Maker Faire Showcases Local DIY

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On Saturday, August 27, 2016, “Makers” and fans of the “Do-It-Yourself” movement will descend upon Dover for the Dover Mini Maker Faire. The Faire is NH’s only licensed Maker Faire and will feature 63 Makers and 8 food vendors representing 37 different towns around New England!

This hands-on festival offers people who make things, whether its fly fishing ties, or 3D printed robots, a chance to show off what they are making and share what they are learning. “The Makers are the stars of this festival,” says Jane Bard, President of the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, organizers of the Faire. “People come to the Dover Mini Maker Faire to learn new things and to get inspired. I can’t think of any other Faire where you can see a short film, play with clay, and legos and circuits and electricity and then top it off with challenging a stormtrooper to a game of giant jenga!”

The Faire, which takes place from 10am-4pm at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, Henry Law Park and One Washington Mill in Dover, is always scheduled the last weekend of the summer. “We think it’s a great way to send kids back to school inspired,” shared Jane. Although, kids are not the only ones who will enjoy this Faire. “Over half the people who visit the Faire come without kids, which tells us there’s a lot of interest in the local maker movement from adults.”

New this year will be the Faire’s first short “Short Film Festival” featuring two short films and an excerpt of a longer film, all created by local filmmakers.

Father-and-daughter filmmakers Alfred Thomas Catalfo and Gina Catalfo Nelson of Dover will present two of their award-winning short films.

"Signing" is an 11-minute film written, directed and edited by Gina Catalfo Nelson. It is a heartwarming, teenage love story about trust and accepting others for exactly who they are. "Rocketship" is a 15-minute film written and directed by Alfred Thomas Catalfo in which an unlikely bond is forged between a lonely boy and an elderly man claiming to be a former astronaut. Together, they transform a vintage vacuum cleaner into a rocketship for a surprising journey. The film is inspired by the rocketship sculptures of local artist David Random. This will be the first time Alfred and Gina have shown their films together.

The other film is an excerpt from “The Man Who Wasn’t Tex Magru” a 1940’s gangster comedy by Manchester-based filmmakers Narrow Street Films. Narrow Street Films’ stunt team will also be on hand at the Faire for a film stunt workshop. The films’ Directors will be on hand for a Q&A session after the viewing.

Volunteers are still needed to help with this year’s Dover Mini Maker Faire. Volunteers who sign up for at least one 3-hour shift will receive free admission to the Faire. All volunteers must be 16 years or older.

Tickets to the Dover Mini Maker Faire are on sale now for $10. Tickets will cost $12 at the door and kids ages 5 and under are free. Purchase tickets, learn more or sign up to volunteer at www.makerfairedover.com.

The Dover Mini Maker Faire is sponsored by the Unique College Savings Plan by Fidelity, VELCRO® Brand, Alexander Technology Group, Prime Buchholz, Beswick Engineering, The Rowley Agency, Construction Services of New Hampshire, Albany Engineered Composites, Chinburg Properties, Holy Rosary Credit Union, Garrison Women’s Health, Coed Sportswear, Inc. and Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, PA. Media sponsorships have been provided by iHeart Media, 95.3 The Bull, Z107, NH1 News on WBIN TV and New Hampshire Public Television.

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