Please leave strollers at home or park them in our coat room. We instead encourage you to bring front packs, or borrow one from the museum.
UPDATE: We are working on TWO new exhibits, set to open in early 2025. Construction to these exhibits is ongoing while we are open to the public this fall. To accommodate construction work, the Post Office, Vet Clinic, and Raceways exhibits have been modified and relocated to different areas around the museum. The Dino Detective exhibit will not be available.
Admission, Hours, & Info
The Children's Museum of New Hampshire offers two floors of unique, interactive, hands-on exhibits where you can explore Nature, STEM, Pretend Play, Art, World Cultures, and more for ages 0-10.
Online Reservations Required. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS>>
Mondays: CLOSED
Tuesdays: 9am-Noon
Wednesdays: 9am-Noon or 1-4pm
Thursdays: 9am-Noon or 1-4pm
Fridays: 9am-Noon or 1-4pm
Saturdays: 9am-Noon or 1-4pm
Sundays: 9am-Noon
We close the museum between play sessions to clean. Your reservation is good for 1 play session.
Admission Prices
Adults: $12.50
Children over 12 months: $12.50
Children under 12 months: No charge
Seniors (65+): $10.50
CMNH Members: No charge
Tickets/ Reservations
Advanced ticket reservations recommended - including Members! We cannot admit walk-ins if we reach full capacity.
Museum Members are always free. Please remember to show your digital Membership card or a photo ID at the museum.
Discounts: If you are using any discount (including CMNH admission passes or reciprocal benefits from a participating ACM or ASTC organization), please reserve your play session here, following the directions for reserving with discounts.
Refunds are not available unless: A guest is ill and unable to reschedule their visit. In that instance, we will refund any payments if notified in advance of the scheduled visit. Please email questions@childrens-museum.org.
PLEASE NOTE: Reservations are specific to the date and time you reserved; they are not transferable. If you need to reschedule, please contact us prior to your scheduled visit at questions@childrens-museum.org.
6 Washington Street
Dover NH 03820
Parking: With GPS, use 10 Henry Law Avenue, Dover, NH
For closest handicap parking, use 6 Washington Street, Dover, NH
By Car:
12 miles north of Portsmouth, NH
40 miles east of Manchester, NH
50 miles south of Portland, ME
65 miles north of Boston, MA
Recommended GPS setting: While the museum's physical address is 6 Washington Street, city metered parking spots are available on an adjacent street, so it is best to program the following address into your GPS: 10 Henry Law Avenue, Dover, NH 03820
City of Dover Parking: The museum does not have a designated parking lot. All parking is available through the city of Dover.
The Children's Museum of New Hampshire is next to the Rotary Arts Amphitheater in Henry Law Public Park. There are metered parking spots with progressive pricing in the lot just past the Amphitheater and Dover Adventure Playground, as well as along Henry Law Avenue and many other city streets. There is also parking available at the 45 Orchard Street parking garage. Metered parking is in effect Monday through Saturday, 9am-8pm and is free on Sundays and holidays.
See all Dover Parking Info here >>
By Bus:
The museum is accessible by public transportation, and is a 3-minute walk from COAST Dover City Hall bus stop.
By Train:
An Amtrak Downeaster train stops in Dover, NH daily. The Dover,NH Amtrak station is located at 33 Chestnut Street, Dover, NH. The station is a half-mile, 11-minute walk from the museum. See amtrakdowneaster.com for more information, fees, and schedules.
By reserving tickets to visit the Museum, you are agreeing to follow our health and safety guidelines, including:
Do not visit if you or anyone in your party is sick.
Leave your strollers at home or in the museum's coatroom. We encourage you to bring your own front pack, or borrow one from the museum. Strollers on the exhibit floor are a safety hazard in the event of an emergency.
No food or drink, other than water or baby bottles is permitted in the exhibits. We do have a small snack area. Breast feeding is always welcome.
For health code reasons, all visitors must wear footwear. Socks and bare feet are not allowed.
Adults are expected to help children follow the rules.
Adults must supervise their children at all times, for their safety and that of younger children.
Children under the age of 14 may not visit the museum without being accompanied by an adult.
In the event of an emergency, follow all prompts and directions issued by CMNH staff and emergency personnel.
We reserve the right to ask people who are sick or not following the rules to leave the museum.
Weapons Policy:
Nothing is more important to the Museum than the safety and security of its visitors and employees. The Museum prohibits any visitor, volunteer, employee, or other person from entering its property while carrying, possessing, or storing a weapon of any kind—including, but not limited to, a handgun, firearm, Mace, knife, or any other item which, in the Museum’s sole discretion, could be used as a weapon. This prohibition extends to all Museum property, including any space physically adjacent to the Museum, or at a Museum-sponsored event. This prohibition also applies regardless of whether the person is licensed to carry, possess, or store the weapon or whether the possession or storage of the weapon violates applicable law. The only exception to this policy is a law enforcement official duly authorized to carry such weapon(s).
Adults Without Children:
The Museum prohibits any adult who is not accompanied by a child from visiting during public operating hours, unless that person has received express authorization to do so from the Museum. If you’re interested in touring the Museum, please email us questions@childrens-museum.org
Safe Space Policy:
CMNH fosters a culture of inclusion that promotes respect and celebrates diversity. We commit to making our facility and programs accessible and safe for all members of our community, regardless of race, ethnicity, faith, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or physical or mental disability.
The Museum will not tolerate harassment or disrespectful conduct of any kind. The Museum may refuse service to, or revoke access from, any person(s) threatening this safe, inclusive, and respectful environment. Behavior warranting such consequences includes, but is not limited to, verbal or physical harassment or discrimination against another patron, volunteer, or staff member, attempted theft or vandalism, or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Bathroom Policy:
It's against the policy of the museum to let anyone who is not a paid visitor use the bathrooms inside the museum. This rule is for safety reasons, and we cannot make exceptions.
Dover Adventure Playground
The Dover Adventure Playground is a public park maintained by the city of Dover, open for families to play on at their own risk. The playground features a life-size flat-bottomed gundalow boat, swings and slides, a 3-story Garrison tower, a 1,200 pound, 3×8 foot climbable Alewife granite fish sculpture, a splash pad, musical instruments, and a life-sized “whale’s tail” sculpture perched on the roof of the Dover Pool.
Dover Adventure Playground Hours:
Spring & Summer: 7am-9:30pm
Fall & Winter: 7am-7pm
Splash Pad: 9am-8pm seasonally
Museum Shop
Our shop offers a great selection of high-quality games and toys in a wide variety of price ranges. CMNH Members receive a 10% discount on museum shop purchases. Best of all, proceeds support museum programs and operations.
The shop is open to the public and visitors during regular museum hours.
The entire Children's Museum of New Hampshire is wheelchair accessible, including all restrooms and water fountains.
Front doors and restrooms can be opened using large push buttons. A wide ramp and an elevator connect the first and second floors.
The second floor family restroom is equipped with an adult-sized changing cot.
One-on-one aides or therapists are admitted free when they visit with their client.
A social story is available for those who might need it prior to visiting the museum.
Trained service animals are always welcome. Emotional support animals are not permitted within the museum.
Handicap accessible parking spaces are located alongside the museum on Washington Street. A ramp leads from parking to our front door.
The museum is accessible by public transportation, and is a 3-minute walk from COAST Dover City Hall bus stop.
Accessibility tools like industrial twist ties, stretchy fabric, and bump dots are available or installed in some exhibits. Learn more here.
The Reach All Initiative supports free or reduced admission for 20% of visitors each year. Learn more about admission discounts here.
Exploring Our Way: Sensory Friendly Playtime
For some children, a Museum visit is challenging and over-stimulating. The Exploring Our Way: Sensory Friendly Playtimes are exclusive to families of children with special needs. These FREE 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. Learn More >>
All discounts are applied to regularly-priced admissions and cannot be combined. Our senior price is itself a discount and cannot be discounted further. To receive these discounts, follow the instructions on our ticketing page.
CMNH Members enjoy free unlimited admission for one year. Guests of CMNH Members receive 10% off admission. Don't forget to first register and then sign-in on our ticketing page to receive your Member discount.
Many libraries offer half-off admission for up to 4 people through our Library Membership program. Passes must be reserved in advance through your library for a specific day.
Active Duty: Throughout the school year, receive half-off admission for active military personnel, with ID, and up to 5 immediate family members; during the summer (Armed Forces Day through Labor Day) receive FREE Admission for active military personnel, with ID, and up to 5 immediate family members through the Blue Star Museum Program, exclusively sponsored by Service Credit Union.
Veterans: Half-off admission year-round for Veterans, with ID, and up to 5 immediate family members
Reciprocal Museum Membership
If you have a membership to another ASTC member museum, you can receive free admission into CMNH for up to 4 guests. If you are a member of another ACM museum, you can receive half off admission into CMNH for up to 6 guests. Must present a current reciprocal museum membership card and photo ID.
EBT Card & WIC Card Discount
$3 per person admission for EBT or WIC cardholders, their co-parent and their dependent children. Must present EBT/WIC card and photo ID. Includes valid EBT/WIC cards from all states. Note: EBT/WIC cards are NOT accepted for payment.
One-on-one aides or therapists
With proof of employment, one-on-one aides or therapists are admitted free when they visit with their client.
Social Service Agency Client Passes
If you are a client of a social service agency, ask if they are one of our Funded Admission Partner Organizations.
If you are a non-profit agency serving children and are interested in becoming a partner and receiving free passes for your clients, please contact Monique Deforge at monique@childrens-museum.org.
Teachers
Pre-K through 5th Grade educators can receive half-priced admission with proof of employment (school ID, pay-stub, etc.)
If your specific circumstances prevent you from affording a visit to CMNH, please reach out to us at questions@childrens-museum.org and we may be able to assist.
Do I have to reserve/pre-pay for tickets before I arrive at the museum? Even if I’m a member?
Yes, please! Reservations make check-in much faster and easier, and help us create a better experience for all visitors by limiting the number of people in the museum at one time. We cannot admit walk-ins if we reach full capacity.
Does the museum actually close between play sessions?
Yes it does. This includes the bathrooms, snack room, gift shop, and our outside Play Patio. There are many great restaurants, shops and the adjacent playground to visit before or after your time here.
I have a coupon, library pass, admission pass, EBT/WIC card or other discount, or am a member of an ASTC or ACM Museum. How do I reserve tickets and apply my discount?
After clicking on the date/time you want to visit, on the ticketing page, choose the “w/ discount (will pay at door)” ticket options. When you arrive, we will ask for proof of your discount and take payment at that time.
EXCEPTION: If you see a promo code on your pass/flier, please select standard ticket types (not w/ discount tickets), then enter the code when you get to the shopping cart. The discount will be applied and you will be able to pay your remaining balance online.
Please note that the Senior price is a discount and cannot be discounted further.
If I have a Membership to an ASTC or ACM museum, do I get the same benefits as a CMNH member?
Not exactly. If you have a membership to another ASTC or ACM museum, we offer reciprocal benefits on admission price only. Other benefits, such as discounts in our museum shop and access to members-only events, are reserved for CMNH members only.
Why can't I add enough tickets to my cart? Will I be able to add more people to my reservation when we get to the museum?
If you cannot add as many tickets to your cart as you'd like, that means there are fewer tickets available than you are requesting. We have a very strict headcount limitation for health and safety purposes and will not be able to admit you with additional guests. Please select another date and/or time to visit.
I reserved and pre-paid for tickets online. Where are my tickets?
You should have received a confirmation email containing a link to your e-tickets from questions@childrens-museum.org. (If you don't see an email from the museum, please check your spam folder.) Please, be prepared to show us a copy of your e-tickets (printed or digital) when you arrive at the museum, as well as proof of any discounts or membership if applicable.
If I'm running late and can't get to the museum at the start of my reserved play session, what should I do?
Don't worry! If you have a reservation we will let you in at any time within that play session. Please keep in mind that if you arrive late, your play time is limited and we will still ask all visitors to leave at the end of the session.
What should we do if we can't come on the date/time that we made reservations for? Can we use our tickets for a different date and time?
When you reserve tickets, those tickets are for that specific date and time, and we will not be able to admit you if you arrive on a different date or time. Email us at questions@childrens-museum.org as soon as you know you can't come during your scheduled visit. If you notify us prior to your scheduled visit, we can help you reschedule to a different date and time. Refunds will not be available unless a guest is unable to visit due to an illness, we are unable to reschedule your visit, AND you notify us in advance of your scheduled visit.
I want to gift someone a few one-time use admission passes to the museum. Do you sell gift cards for that?
No, but we do sell admission passes which can be purchased online or in person. Passes purchased online will be emailed to the purchaser in the form of e-tickets and do not expire.
What else is there to do in Dover, NH?
There is plenty to explore just outside the doors of the Children's Museum of NH, including the Dover Adventure Playground, The Noggin Factory toy shop, Lickee's and Chewy’s Candies & Creamery, as well as tons of amazing kid-friendly restaurants within walking distance of the museum.
I couldn't remember my password, went to change it, and now I'm locked out of my account! What should I do?
If you get a message saying your account has been temporarily locked due to multiple failed logins, or for any other reason, don't panic! Use the reset password option to reset your password. Then clear your web browser's cache, cookies, and temporary internet files for all time (instead of just the past 24 hours for example). Then sign in again using the new password. If you don't choose the option of resetting your password, the lockout will last for only 30 minutes. Password Requirements: Must be at least 12 characters in length, contain at least one numeric and special character; contain at least one uppercase letter; cannot contain your name, username, or organization in any text direction; must be changed every 365 day
I still need help! Who can I email?
You can email us at questions@childrens-museum.org and we'll do our best to help you.
"The kids had a great time. Everything was very clean. They had plenty of hand sanitizer stations and with the decreased number of people allowed in, it felt very safe."
-Cassie Stelmach