The Children’s Museum of NH will host its second annual Pajama Day on Friday, February 19 from 10am-5pm. Kids and parents are invited to wear pajamas to play in the museum and enjoy special night-themed activities.

“Winter is a hard time for kids and for parents,” explained Museum President Jane Bard. “We started Pajama Day last winter as a chance to break up the monotony and it was a big hit with our guests. We thought it would be fun to do it again and have a day where everyone – including our staff – could wear cozy pajamas to the museum. Our education team has some great night-themed activities including a special astronomy project about the moon! We are all looking forward to seeing everyone come in wearing colorful pj’s, slippers and robes!”

During Pajama Day, guests can learn about nocturnal animals and the sounds they make, listen to night-time themed story reading, make owl crafts in the Muse Studio, and more. All activities are included in the museum’s regular admission price: $10 for children and adults over 12 months of age and $9 for seniors (65+). Admission is always free for Children’s Museum Members, and reservations are not required.

The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire Celebrates Dental Health Month

The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire has partnered with two dozen area dentists during the month of February for a variety of fun programs centered on dental health. Children’s Dental Health Month is a program developed by the American Dental Association that has grown from a two-city event in 1941 into a nationwide program celebrated across the US. Throughout the month Museum educators will offer Storytime with a variety of teeth-themed picture books, share fun facts about teeth, show x-rays of teeth below the gumline, compare teeth of various animal skulls and lead toothbrush painting and other art activities and experiments. Sponsoring dentists will visit the Museum and give tips on flossing, brushing and eating well, as well as talk about how the food we eat helps or hurts our teeth. Every child who visits during February will get a free toothbrush and toothpaste to take home, thanks to the Museum’s Toothbrush Sponsor, Great Outdoors Pediatric Dentistry.

“Dental Health Month is the perfect opportunity to interact with our neighbors and have some fun promoting our mission of education in good oral health habits for children and adults,” shared Dr. Robert Christian, DDS of Keystone Dental Arts. “We really strive to be a resource to NH families,” said Paula Rais, Vice President of Development and Community Engagement at the Children’s Museum. “Whenever we can we try to partner with local experts who can talk to our guests and offer them timely resources. It adds another level to what we do here. Plus, who wouldn’t want to go home with a free toothbrush, toothpaste and a tooth fairy envelope!?”

Sponsors for Dental Health Month include Cochecho Family Dentistry, Seacoast Endodontic Associates, Crest + Oral-B, Children’s Dentistry, Keystone Dental Arts, Garrison Family Dental, Evelyn M. Bryan, DMD, North Hampton Dental Group, Piscataqua Dental Partners, Portsmouth Dental, Seacoast Periodontics & Dental Implants, JD Howard Dental, LLC, Anne B. Filler, DMD, Locust Street Dental Center, Inc., Dr. Michael St. Germain, DMD, Daniel H. DeTolla, DDS at Seacoast Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Center, John VerPloeg, DDS at Epping General Dentistry, Koglin Orthodontics, Seacoast Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Sheila Kennedy, R. Susan Horsley, DMD, Gregory L. Shaker, DDS and Kingston Family Dental. To learn more about Dental Health Month at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, visit https://www.childrens-museum.org/things-to-do/events/dental-health-month.

Here is a sampling of some of the dentist visits scheduled:

February 2, 4, 9, 16, 23 and 25 at 10am
Dr. Patrick Wilson from Great Outdoors Pediatric Dentistry, this month’s Toothbrush Sponsor will visit today.

Wednesday, February 17 at TBD

Anne Sleeper, registered dental hygienist and Certified Public Health Dental Hygienist will be visiting during the $3 after 3pm program to discuss the importance of good dental health, answer questions and give away coloring books. Anne coordinates Community Dental Education programs at Wentworth Douglass Hospital.

Wednesday, February 24, 10am-2pm

Keystone Dental will be here today and they’re bringing their mascot – Ribbit the Frog!

And here is a sampling of some Dental Health Month activities:

Owl Pellets – Do owls have teeth? How do they eat their food? Find out and also get a close look at the teeth of some of the rodents who became the owl’s lunch!

Art Activities & Games – Smile Masks, Toothbrush painting, Tooth Fairy Envelopes and Tooth Games!

Animal Skulls – We’ll take a close look at our goblin shark and beaver skull. We’ll try to figure out how they’re different and how their teeth help them eat.

Elephant Toothpaste – A favorite experiment at the museum, what ingredients can we mix together to make a fun, bubbly, foamy and exciting toothpaste mess?!

Tooth Story – Enjoy storytime with museum staff all about teeth!

Make Toothpaste Putty – Did you know you can make your own toothpaste? Using household ingredients we’ll mix up some toothpaste putty that will smell minty fresh!

by Meredith Lamothe

Hi there! I am the Lead Educator at The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire and also the host of Baby Storytime. I have a Bachelors Degree in Theatre from The University of Southern Maine and a Masters of Library and Information Science with a focus in Children’s Services from Simmons College.

I’m passionate about early literacy and excited to share information with you about our weekly Baby Storytime stories and activities. Join us for the next Baby Storytime which meets every Wednesday in the Museum's Primary Place exhibit at 9:30am.

SNOW

Our theme today is perfect for the kind of weather we're having: SNOW!

Let's start with a rhyme about snowflakes:

Snow, Snow is falling down
Falling down onto the ground
it’s falling over here
And it’s falling over there
It’s falling so much that it’s everywhere!

Now, what could we do in all that snow? I know! We could ride in our little red sleds!

This one is to the tune of “Bumping up and down in my little red wagon”

Slippin’ and Slidin’ in my little red sled
Slippin’ and Slidin’ in my little red sled
Slippin’ and Slidin’ in my little red sled
Won’t you be my darling?

It is snowy and the sled string’s broken
It is snowy and the sled string’s broken
It is snowy and the sled string’s broken
Won’t you be my darling?

It’s easy to fix with a big strong knot
Easy to fix with a big strong knot
Easy to fix with a big strong knot
Won’t you be my darling?

Slippin’ and Slidin’ in my little red sled
Slippin’ and Slidin’ in my little red sled
Slippin’ and Slidin’ in my little red sled
Won’t you be my darling?

And since we sang about slippin’ and slidin’ in sleds, I have to include my favorite bounce song “The Royal Duke of York” who likes marching armies up and down hills! I bet they wish they had sleds…:)

Now let's do another rhyme about snow. It's called “Five Little Snowmen” and we do this one counting on our fingers:

Five little snowmen standing in a row
Each one has a hat and a big red bow
Out came the sun and it shone all day
And one little snowman melted away!

Four little snowmen…
Three little snowmen…
Two little snowmen…

One little snowman standing in the row
He had a hat and a big red bow
Out came the sun and it shone all day
And that little snowman melted away!

Literacy Tip

Our literacy tip is about talking! Talking about books, making predictions and asking questions helps children understand things when they’re learning to read. Comprehension is an important pre-reading and reading skill. Some kids will learn to read and be able to fly through books, but at the end when asked “So, who was the good guy in that story?” They may have no idea, because although they’re reading – the comprehension is missing – and if that’s missing, those kids won’t stay motivated to read.

Asking babies a question or two about a book before you begin to read helps you and them get into that habit. Talking about books with your child gets them ready to read!

Our last song is about what to wear in the snow! It's called “Boots, Parka, Scarf and Hat” and is to the tune of “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”–you can point to where these items of clothing go while singing this song!

Boots, Parka, Scarf and Hat
Scarf and Hat

Boots, Parka, Scarf and Hat
Scarf and Hat

Boots and Parka and Scaaaaaarf and Haaaaaat

Boots, Parka, Scarf and Hat
Scarf and Hat!

Greetings, my dear ladies, lords, and all my precious citizens of Wonderland!

It is I, your Queen of Hearts, and I thought it high time to address you again! It has been an awfully long time since we last had a chat, hasn’t it? Why, I don’t believe I’ve spoken to many of you since our little party last February! Ah, what can I say? A queen’s work is never done! If I’m not policing those good-for-nothing cards in their rose painting, then I’m having my croquet game interrupted by some other impertinence! But I do remember our time together fondly. There were so many types of tea, lovely cookies, enchanting flowers, a plethora of hearts, of course, and I welcomed so many new lords and ladies into the Royal Court of Wonderland! Such allegiances truly do our fair land credit.

In fact, I rather feel like doing it again! Don’t you? Now, I’d never say that you must come – I’d never say that it was absolutely mandatory for all citizens of Wonderland that they come and enjoy tea and cookies and crafting with their ever-so-magnanimous Queen – I mean, really! Does that sound like something I’d say? But all the same, I do hope you’ll attend. Oh, and if any of you happen to see a rather mysterious blonde girl of apparently varying size, do tell me of her whereabouts. I can’t have just anyone traipsing through Wonderland! We shall see if she dares to show up!

Please do say you’ll come to my tea party! I’d be ever so thrilled to see you!

As always,

Your dear and faithful Queen

The Children’s Museum of NH is now selling raffle tickets for its annual car raffle fundraiser. Only 750 tickets are being sold at $100 each, giving purchasers the odds of 1 in 375 to win a prize. This year, the first place winner can choose between a 2016 Nissan 370Z sports coupe valued at over $30,000 or they can choose the $20,000 cash prize. Second place winner will win a custom African Safari for 4 (airfare not included) form A-Way-To Africa Safaris valued at $9,000.

“The car raffle began in 2012 and has become an annual event our supporters look forward to,” said Jane Bard, President of the Children’s Museum of NH in Dover. “As a non-profit organization, we need to be creative in raising funds for our educational programs and exhibits, as well as for our commitment to providing subsidized museum visits for schools and families in challenging circumstances. The 'Adventure' theme works well for both prizes and we hope to sell every ticket to support our mission.”

Tickets can be purchased online via the Museum’s website: www.childrens-museum.org or by calling 603-742-2002 during regular business hours. The raffle drawing will take place at a date to be determined in the spring of 2016 at Port City Nissan on the Spaulding Turnpike in Portsmouth, NH. Winners need not be present at the drawing to claim their prize.

Motortrend.com says the 2016 Nissan 370Z sports coupe offers “a great combination of straight-line speed and agility.” “This is not a family car,” notes Jane Bard “and that’s the appeal! You can get into this sports coupe and drive to the beach, the mountains…wherever! With this car, you can literally pick an adventure, and it will take you there in style!” In this raffle, the prospect of winning the second place prize is just as enticing as the first place prize. “This African Safari is completely customizable,” shares Jane. Winners can choose to visit Lake Manyara National Park, which Ernest Hemingway called “the loveliest I had seen in Africa,” or spend more time in Serengeti National Park, which to the Maasai means “the place where the land moves on forever” and whose ecosystem is one of the oldest on Earth.

The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire thanks Port City Nissan, A-Way-To Africa Safaris, Manchester Regional Airport, NH1 News, Rock 101FM and Z107.1 FM for supporting this fundraiser. Purchasers of car raffle tickets must be 18 years or older, possess a valid driver’s license and provide proof of insurance. The winner is responsible for registration, title and all applicable federal, state and local taxes resulting from the award of this prize. A maximum of 750 tickets will be sold. If less than 375 tickets are sold, the raffle grand prize will be 50% of proceeds; the second prize will the African Safari. First place car or cash are not transferable. Second place African Safari can be transferred. Raffle tickets are not tax deductible.

We're on the precipice of 2016 and the Children's Museum of New Hampshire can't wait to share with you all the fun we have in store for the coming year. But first - let's take a look back at the fun that stretched across all of 2015!

January

January is here, with eyes that keenly glow, A frost-mailed warrior striding a shadowy steed of snow.
- Edgar Fawcett

• CMNH Educators Jenaya & Sarah meet Governor Maggie Hassan at the Inaugural Open House at the State House in Concord
• CMNH Volunteer Barbara gets into the silly spirit in the Muse Studio for our Abstract Art workshop
• The Dover Chamber of Commerce awards CMNH the Non-Profit of the Year award at Rivermill
• Steampunk Octopus Bike Rack is happy that he's standing up on all 8 tippy-toes as we receive several feet of snow in 48 hours

February

Without Valentine's Day, February would be . . . well . . . January. - Jim Gaffigan

• 
• Lucas isn't a fan of the Tooth Fairy
• Our visitors learn brushing tips from visiting dentists and dental hygienists as part of Dental Health Month
• CMNH Educators Crystal, Jenaya, Meghan & Meredith find their inner superhero for a Make It OR Break It Club all about digital manipulation
• It's Mardi Gras time at CMNH
• Protect your heads, because the Queen of Hearts came to visit CMNH in February for a tea party
• Our visitors get ready for the SuperBowl with New England Patriots face painting

March

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. ~Charles Dickens

• Our Mosaic Unit for 2015 begins with a visit to Egypt with sand art, hieroglyphs, instruments, jewelry making, pyramid building . . .
• . . . followed by cheery blossom art in Japan . . .
• . . . and Leprechaun traps and the wearing of the green learning about Ireland
• CMNH Media Producer Zach films one of scenes for the museum's STEM Video Series

April

April is a promise that May is bound to keep - Hal Borland

• Clifford the Turtle arrives for the opening of the new Naturalist Study
• The mind-bending fun of the Rubik's Cube is part of our exploration of Hungary during our Mosaic Unit
• Curious George and The Man With the Yellow Hat meet our visitors in the Muse Studio
• Junior Science Classes learn about the five senses - can you guess which one they learned about in April?
• CMNH Exhibits Director Mark spreads the resin on the new wooden Naturalist Study table in time for the opening
• Port City Nissan hosts the drawing of the Joyride Raffle with a Nissan Quest S Minivan up for grabs

May

"The world's favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May."- Edwin Way Teale

• One of our Homeschool Scientists brings a spotted salamander to class - just because
• More Mosaic: School children learn how to make lotus flower fans, how diverse the wildlife is, and how to do traditional dances of the country of Thailand
• The Horta Brothers return to CMNH to show off their talented woodworking and mask making skills
• Monty & C.J. of the Dover Mounted Patrol join our volunteers at the annual CMNH 5K Road Race
• CMNH Director of Visitor Services Doug and Lead Educator Meredith prepare for Pirate Day
• Current Wee Ones participants are joined by alumni for our first Wee Ones Weeunion

June

If a June night could talk, it would probably boast it invented romance - Bernard Williams

• Jess Michaud is named CMNH Volunteer of the Year
• WMUR covers the installation of free sunscreen dispensers in Henry Law Park
• Make It OR Break It Club explores the wonder of Cyanotypes
• It's time for psychedelic sponge paint turtles at Wee Ones Wednesdays
• CMNH hosts our first ever Beatles Day
• Stonyfield partners with CMNH once again on our Anyone Can Grow Food garden and programming
• CMNH Educators Crystal, Sarah, & Riley join Visitor Services Supervisor Zach on a trip to the Boston Children's Museum for off-site exploration and learning
• CMNH Educators Emily, Sarah and Jenaya open up for the first Monday of the summer
• CMNH is open 7 days a week all summer long
• The Dover Police Department visits CMNH as part of our Exploring Our Way program for children on the spectrum and their families

July

July - She will fly . . . - Simon & Garfunkel

• Members of our monthly Alzheimer's Cafe program hold their annual summer picnic in Rye
• CMNH Educators Crystal, Sarah and Jenaya get cosmic with NASA to celebrate Pluto Day
• This little guy takes a big bite our of Shark Week
• Bubbles, bubbles everywhere at CMNH Bubble Day

• CMNH launched our first ever Superhero Week in July
• Sponsored by Jetpack Comics in Rochester, NH, Superhero Week was a great success that involved tons of super-powered activities and events
• Including: Costume making with award-winning designer Khepera Von Stitches, Superhero Team Improv with local artist George Demosthenes, Mini Comic Book creations with local teacher Tom Bonello, not to mention a visit from the friendly, neighborhood Amazing Spider-Man himself!

August

Summertime . . . and the living is easy. - George Gershwin and Dubose Heyward

• CMNH staff helped work this year's Seacoast Congress of Sound Festival in North Berwick, ME, with all proceeds being generously donated to CMNH
• CMNH Sculpture Camp was a big hit
• Broadway critics are still talking about our original production of "The Little Red Echidna"
• Teddy Bears and all other stuffed friends were welcome for our annual Teddy Bear Clinic and Picnic, made possible by partnerships with Portsmouth Regional Hospital and Trader Joe's

• All hands on deck! It's time for the Dover Mini Maker Faire!
• Maker Faire featured hands-on workshops including one on how to make your own Biodegradable Seed Balls!
• Vendors and Makers from around New England, like Nemo Equipment, showed off their wares
• There really was something for everyone at this year's Maker Faire
• Kids could make their own stomp rockets and then test them out in Henry Law Park

September

Ah, September! You are the doorway to the season that awakens my soul! - Peggy Toney Horton

• One World Language School taught guests how to speak Chinese during Toddlerfest
• Northeastern Ballet Theatre gave special performances and taught guests some dance moves
• C&J Bus Lines gave families a chance to touch a bus during Toddlerfest
• A new addition to Primary Place were these light switch flower gardens
• We were closed for the first two weeks of September to do a little cleaning and maintenance. It's really our only chance to get the pieces that get stuck up high from the Build It, Fly It exhibit!
• Mark Cuddy worked on some new exhibits during closing weeks
• Staff could be seen everywhere touching up the paint throughout the museum
• Media Producer, Zach Foote visited the Maple Suites Retirment Community to give a presentation on social media to seniors
• Train day was another huge success

October

I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. - L.M. Montgomery

• October brought costumes, crafts and...Mad Scientists? The Not-So-Spooky spectacular was...well...spectacular.
• The augmented reality sand table made it's debut and it's been a huge hit with guests of all ages!

November

November arrived, cold as frozen iron, with hard frosts every morning and icy drafts that bit at exposed hands and faces. - J.K. Rowling

• Books Alive featured a Wild Thing named Moishe and a Wild Rumpus provided by the kids
• PizzaFest was another fun and tasty fundraiser made successful by all the great pizza joints in town and Smuttynose Brewing Company
• Master Woodcarvers Ventura & Norberto Fabian from Oaxaca, Mexico showed our guests how they transform simple hunks of wood into amazing animals and figures

December

December, being the last month of the year, cannot help but make us think of what is to come. - Fennel Hudson

• Our first annual Jingle Bell Express was a lot of fun and a great collaboration between DeMeritt Hill Farm and C&J Bus Lines
• The Naturalist exhibit gets a seasonal upgrade
• Christmas trees were donated to several Festival of Trees in town, decorated b CMNH kids of course
• Sam Paolini is the newest artist to grace the entrance of CMNH with her art
• Workshops galore happened at the end of the month featuring holiday treats, Minecraft game design, and poetry
• And we said farewell to another wonderful year and welcomed 2016 with our recycled paper hats and a lot of smiles

Thank you everyone for joining us in 2015. We hope to see you again soon and wish you all health, joy and peace in 2016!

Name: Mark Cuddy

Title: Director of Exhibits

How long have you been at CMNH? 4 years, since 2011

What is the most fun part of your job? The most fun part of my job is seeing children and families play with the exhibits I have designed and built.

What is something people might not know about you? I helped my Dad build our own Clubhouse when I was a kid. That may not be that surprising, but he could never understand why I spent more time climbing on the roof than I did playing inside of it.

What is your favorite exhibit at CMNH and why? My favorite exhibit is Pattern Palace. I think it is a really fun exhibit and it does a great job of teaching people about geometry and Math without them realizing it. It is certainly not a 'boring math exhibit.'

Name: Meredith Lamothe

Title: Lead Educator

How Long at Museum? 3.5 years! I started in May of 2012.

What is the most fun part of your job? I love teaching. I look forward to Thursdays because I get to teach both Junior and Homeschool science classes. I also absolutely love doing Baby Storytime—nothing is a better start to the day than seeing and reading to a bunch of smiling, giggling babies!

What is something that people might not know about you? My bachelors degree is in Theatre Performance. I really enjoy performing and try to be in a couple plays a year.

What is your favorite exhibit at CMNH and why? I like the post office. I love the number of different ways that visitors can experience the exhibit and that it facilitates exploration of the rest of the museum.