Time for little ones to rule the roost!

When the big kids go back to school, it's time for young visitors to rule the roost and enjoy exciting activities geared just for them and their caregivers, all offered here at the Children's Museum of New Hampshire! Our annual Toddlerfest celebration offers guests ages 0–5 experiences with music and movement, science, art and storytelling while caregivers learn how these experiences relate to their child's cognitive growth and development.

The following programs are free with museum admission...

And as always, FREE for Members!

Bubble Dance Party

Friday, September 16 at 2:30pm >>

Thursday, September 22 at 2:30pm >>

Friday, September 30 at 2:30pm >>

Help us celebrate Toddlerfest with an outdoor (weather permitting) Bubble Dance Party on the Play Patio! Reservations and pre-payment are required for each play session, but nothing additional needs to be done to participate in a Bubble Dance Party!

Science Friday

Ice Cube Fizzy Drips: Friday, September 16 at 10:30am >>
Ice Cube Fizzy Drips: Friday, September 16 at 2:30pm >>

Shaving Cream Rain Clouds: Friday, September 30 at 10:30am >>
Shaving Cream Rain Clouds: Friday, September 30 at 2:30pm >>

Science Friday is new each week and will engage children in experiments and activities that focus on fun, and act as a jumping-off point for learning about science concepts. Sponsored by the State of NH on behalf of the UNIQUE College Investing Plan. Reservations and pre-payment are required for each play session, but nothing additional needs to be reserved to participate in Science Fridays.

Steve Blunt Musical Performance

Saturday, September 17 at 10:30am >>

Steve Blunt is an award-winning children's musician with over 25 years of experience in the arts and education. His performance promises to be a rompin', stompin' good time, full of sing-alongs guaranteed to elicit giggles, wiggles, and happy smiles. Be sure to arrive by 10:30am to catch the fun, which ends around 11:15am. Reservations and pre-payment are required for each play session, but nothing additional needs to be reserved to participate in this performance.

The Performing Arts Series at CMNH is sponsored by The Fuller Foundation, TD Charitable Foundation, Abbie F. Moseley Charitable Trust, and the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts.

Learning Garden: Clay Nature Play

Saturday, September 17 at 2:30pm >>

The Museum's Learning Gardens provide "edible education" for kids about healthy food choices and the environment. The Learning Garden is sponsored by Whole Foods Market. Online reservations and pre-payment are required for each play session, but nothing additional needs to be reserved to participate in the Learning Garden activities.

Messy Mayhem

Sunday, September 18, 10-11am >>

Thursday, September 29, 2-3pm >>

We'll be having fun outside on the Play Patio with shaving cream on our paint wall! Be sure to wear appropriate clothing you don't mind getting messy! Reservations and pre-payment are required for each play session, but nothing additional needs to be reserved to participate in the Messy Mayhem fun.

Toddler Tinker Time

Tuesday, September 20 from 10:30-11:30am >>

Tuesday, September 27 from 10:30-11:30am >>

Tinker Time gives children a chance to try out different open-ended activities such as building, using art materials, sorting tasks, and trying sensory activities. This self-guided activity has different stations set up for children to explore with their grown-ups. Online reservations and pre-payment are required for each play session, but nothing additional needs to be reserved to participate in the Toddler Tinker Time activities.

Special Guest: Dr. Jill Trumbell from UNH

Tuesday, September 20 at 10am >>

Get all your toddler-related questions answered at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire with Dr. Jill Trumbell from UNH. Dr. Jill will share on “Big Feelings, Little Bodies: Navigating Toddlers Understanding and Expression of Emotions.” Make an online reservation to play at the museum, and be sure to stop in to see Dr. Jill in the Muse Studio to ask questions or chat while little ones play an emotions matching game.

Wacky Art Wednesdays

Finger Painting: Wednesday, September 21 at 10:30am >>
Finger Painting: Wednesday, September 21 at 2:30pm >>

Simple Sun Catchers: Wednesday, September 28 at 10:30am >>
Simple Sun Catchers: Wednesday, September 28 at 2:30pm >>

These Wacky Art projects are new every week and allow your little ones to get creative! Online reservations and pre-payment are required for each play session, but nothing additional needs to be reserved to participate in Wacky Art Wednesdays.

Tiny Dance Class with Musical Arts Dover

Wednesday, September 21, 2-2:30pm >>

Welcome back Savannah Lee, professional dancer and instructor at Music Arts of Dover, as she lead a Tiny Dance Class today. All ages and experience levels welcome for this inclusive and fun mini dance class. Online reservations and pre-payment are required, but nothing additional needs to be reserved to participate in this Tiny Dance Class.

Baby Storytime

Thursday, September 22 at 9:30am >>

Thursday, September 29 at 9:30am >>

Little ones (ages 6 months - 2 years) and their caregivers are welcome to join Baby Storytime! This weekly program, led by Museum early childhood specialist Meredith Brustlin, MLIS, introduces songs, rhymes, movement, and books to babies and their caregivers and introduces important pre-literacy skills along the way! This drop-in program is a great way to socialize with other babies and caregivers. Online reservations and pre-payment are required for each play session, but nothing additional needs to be reserved to participate in Baby Storytime.

"Groove and Grow" Music Class with The Sonatina Center

Thursday, September 22 at 10am >>

Join special guest Marissa Scott, a board-certified music therapist from the Sonatina Center in Dover, for a fun and silly music enrichment program, perfect for crawlers to age 4. Online reservations and pre-payment are required for each play session, but nothing additional needs to be reserved to participate in this program.

Books Alive: If You Give a Pig a Pancake

Friday, September 23 at 10am >>
Friday, September 23 at 2pm >>

Saturday, September 24 at 10am >>
Saturday, September 24 at 2pm >>

Author Laura Numeroff posed the question “What happens if you give…” and proceeded to create a whole series of picture books finishing that question with all sorts of different characters and situations. The star of one of her books, a pancake loving pig, will be visiting the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire to greet young fans and help promote the love of reading! Books Alive seeks to make reading a regular family experience. Museum educators will be reading these books while a friendly costumed Pig tries to pay attention. The Pig will be available for hugs, high-fives and photos during each play session. There will also be a variety of What If-inspired literacy, math and creative activities for all guests. Books Alive is sponsored by Eastern Bank Community Foundation, Piscataqua Savings Bank, Newburyport Bank, and Cambridge Trust.

FOR CMNH MEMBERS ONLY: If you have a CMNH Membership (any level), you can visit the Pig before the public on Saturday, September 24 from 8-9am. There will be one book reading during this member event at 8:30am. Reservations required for Member only event, but as always, free. Members, if you’d like to stay and play in the public morning play session from 9am-noon, please also register for that online as well.

Usborne Book Fair & Storytime

Friday, September 30, 9am-Noon >>

Join Usborne representative Samantha Kelly for a special Usborne Book Storytime at 10am today. Shop Samantha's online shop and a portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the museum. Online reservations and pre-payment are required for each play session, but nothing additional needs to be reserved to participate in this storytime.