NH Maker Fest

It's a rain or shine event!

2024 NH Maker Fest

Saturday, June 1, 2024, 10am-3pm

Inside CMNH, outside in the park, and on the stage!

Join us at the 12th 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. From engineers to artists, to scientists, to chefs, the NH Maker Fest is a day for these "Makers" to show hobbies, experiments, projects, and for all of us to discover something new! It's a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness.

The Fest takes place inside the Children's Museum of NH and outside in the park and even on the stage.

Because we need to make room for all the Makers, some of the museum exhibits won't be accessible as usual. This is not a normal day of play at the museum, which is why you can't reserve tickets for normal play sessions. The Fest is family friendly, and admission is a suggested $5/person donation. You can reserve tickets here online, or donate when you arrive. We thank our generous sponsors for helping us keep this an "entry by donation" event.

Question: "So if I want to come play in the museum, I can't on this day?"
Answer: If you are looking to access ALL of our exhibits, then today isn't the best day to visit. However, some exhibits where we don't have Makers set up will be accessible. Some of these exhibits may include: Primary Place, Pattern Palace, and Cave Explorers on the 2nd floor of the museum.

Question: "I'm a Museum (or ACM/ASTC) Member. Can I visit the Fest for free?"
Answer: It's up to you! Entry into the Fest is by a suggested $5 for everyone, so it's totally up to you.

2024 NH Maker Fest Tickets >>

FEST SCHEDULE

Makers will be set-up in booths inside and outside the museum and you can visit them throughout the day at your leisure. Some Makers are performing on the stage at certain times, and a few workshops have specific times. Download the program here >>

10-11am
TILE TIE DYE
In the CMNH Workshop Tent outside in the park

10-11am
MUSIC PERFORMANCE
On the Rotary Arts Pavilion Stage outside in the park Southern NH Ukulele Group (SNHUG)

11:15-11:45am
MCDONOUGH-GRIMES IRISH DANCE STUDENTS
On the Rotary Arts Pavilion Stage outside in the park

12-1pm
MUSIC PERFORMANCE
On the Rotary Arts Pavilion Stage outside in the park Patti and the Pop Tarts (Marimba Group) with a "Marimba Petting Zoo" after performance

12:30-1:30pm
PARACHUTE CHALLENGE
In the CMNH Workshop Tent outside in the park

1:15-1:45pm
JUMP ROPE TEAM DEMONSTRATION
On the Rotary Arts Pavilion Stage outside in the park Newmarket "Hot Shots" Jump Rope Team

1:45-2pm
PARACHUTE DROP FROM ROOFTOP!
Parachute creations will be launched from the roof of the museum, and will land in the museum's Play Patio area. Gather outside the Play Patio's black fence for viewing.

2-2:45pm
FOAM DANCE PARTY WITH SAGES ENTERTAINMENT
On the Museum's outdoor Play Patio. Be prepared to get wet!

3pm
LAUNCH AIR POWERED WATER ROCKETS
In the lower park across from Playground. Rockets that were created with Tim Mallard during the Fest can be launched at the end of the Fest

DROP-IN ACTIVITIES 10am-1:30pm
On the Museum's outdoor Play Patio

Sink & Float with water in a Sensory Bin
Bubbles in a Sensory Bin
Paint a 3D Wall Sculpture

I loved the diversity in the exhibits and the ability for my son to create things and bring them home. He absolutely loved the robots (that's something you don't see everyday) and being able to use his hands to make something grown-ups make.

Make & launch a straw rocket with Dover Public Library

See a mini Rube Goldberg machine in action with Zach Umperovitch

Make a friendship bracelet with The Knotical Duck

Craft a collage card with SoulCollage

Learn to solder a light-up badge with Port City Makerspace

Meet the author of: The "Took Me" children's book series

Code some robots with Ride the Robot

Engineer a magnetic levitation LEGO car with LetGoYourMind

Meet a local author with Carolyn Watkins

Remotely drive a robot around the Museum with Grahamtastic Connection

Be interviewed for a mini podcast with Creative Guts

Drive an underwater ROV with SeaPerch & the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard