Category: Family Fun

Family fun for the weekend

More SEE

The SEE Science Center (200 Bedford St. in Manchester; see-sciencecenter.org) is open seven days a week through Labor Day. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Admission costs $10 for all guests 3 and up and advance reservations are recommended. And plan now for SEE’s Kickoff to Summer event June 20 through June 26, which will feature three daily shows with yo-yo performer Brett Ooch and hands-on activities, according to the website.

Fun for all

The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St. in Dover; childrens-museum.org, 742-2022) will hold “Exploring Our Way: Sensory Friendly Playtime” on Tuesday, June 7, from 1 to 4 p.m. “These monthly, low-sensory events are designed for children with autism spectrum or sensory processing disorders allowing them to explore the museum along with their families without the noise, crowds, and stimulation of a typical open day,” the website said. Reserve a spot online in advance. Admission costs $11 for everyone over 1 year old ($9 for 65+).

Kids on stage

The Palace Youth Theatre will presentOliver! Jr.on Tuesday, June 7, and Wednesday, June 8, at 7 p.m. at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588). Tickets cost $15 for adults.

Summer of outdoor exploring!

If you’re planning some nature adventures this summer, check out NH Fish and Game’s website, wildlife.state.nh.us, specifically the “Connect Kids to Wildlife” section (under the “Education” tab). In addition to information on wildlife programs, the site has some fun printable PDFs to take with you on a hike. One is a pocket guide to animal tracks but it’s likely most kids will be all about the guide that’s all about poop. The “Wildlife Scat” printout offers a guide to figuring out what animal made the poop you might find out in the woods — or in your yard.

Family fun for the weekend

Under the sea, on stage

• The Palace Youth Theatre will presentThe Little Mermaid Jr.on Thursday, May 26, at 7 p.m. at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588). Tickets cost $12 to $15 for the show, which features performers in grades 2 through 12.

The cold never bothered her

Also at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) this week, Dimensions in Dance Presents The Snow Queenon Saturday, May 28, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. “The story of the Snow Queen is told through dance … ballet, jazz, modern, tap, hip-hop, acro, pointe and lyrical,” according to the Palace website. Tickets cost $25 for adults, $20 for kids.

Museum fun

• Thursday, May 26, is the final World Culture Thursday on the schedule at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St. in Dover; childrens-museum.org, 742-2022). At 10 a.m. during the morning play session (9 a.m. to noon) and at 2 p.m. during the afternoon play session (1 to 4 p.m.) the World Culture event features a craft, game or other activity celebrating a different culture. The sessions are part of regular admission, which costs $11 for everyone over 1 year old ($9 for 65+). Reserve an admission spot online before heading out. The Children’s Museum is closed Mondays and is open Wednesdays through Saturdays for morning and afternoon sessions and Tuesdays and Sundays for morning sessions only.

Nature on land, nature on water

• Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (23 Science Center Road in Holderness; nhnature.org, 968-7194) opened its public trails at the beginning of May (daily hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with last trail admission at 3:30 p.m.) and last weekend it started its Squam Lake Cruises, which are on the schedule daily at 1 p.m. The cruises are about 90 minutes long on a canopied pontoon boat and advance reservations are required. Cruises cost $27 for adults, $25 for 65+ and $23 for youth up to ages 15).

Prefer to stay on land? The three-quarters of a mile live animal exhibit trail features coyote, fisher, foxes, bobcats, black bear, river otters, deer, owls, raptors and more, according to the press release, which recommends planning a two-and-a-half-hour visit to walk the trail, which winds through meadows, forests and marsh boardwalks. Admission costs $22 for adults, $20 for ages 65+, $16 for ages 3 to 15, and is free for children 2 and under.

Family fun for the weekend

The younger moviegoers

• Chunky’s Cinema Pub (707 Huse Road, Manchester; 151 Coliseum Ave., Nashua; 150 Bridge St., Pelham, chunkys.com) has some events this Friday, May 20, for younger moviegoers. Shrek (PG, 2001) is this month’s“little lunch date” screening, when lights are slightly dimmed, at noon at Chunky’s in Manchester, Nashua and Pelham. Admission is free but secure seats in advance with a $5 food voucher.

All three Chunky’s will also hold a sensory-friendly screening of The Bad Guys (PG, 2022) at 4 p.m., when sound is turned down and lights are up. Tickets cost $5.99 each.

Happy Birthday, Ralph Baer!

• Celebrate the 100th birthday of inventor Ralph Baer, credited with being the father of the video game console, on Saturday, May 21. A program at Arms Park in Manchester will start at noon (with a food truck social hour) and at 1 p.m. feature speakers and presentations, including the unveiling of a new plaque for the sculpture honoring Baer in Arms Park. Starting at 2 p.m. the public will get free entry to SEE Science Center (200 Bedford St. in Manchester; see-sciencecenter.org), where there will be family drop-in activities (from 3:to 4:30 p.m.) such as pixel art making and playdough circuits; the FIRST Robotics Team 6763 Fusion from Manchester School of Technology and Manchester MakerSpace will introduce visitors to robots; and Saturday will be the exhibit closing event for Video Game Art Exhibit (the final display day is Sunday, May 22) and an opportunity to speak with the artists, according to the SEE’s website.

Showtime!

• The middle school students at High Mowing School (Pine Hill Campus, 77 Pine Hill Drive in Wilton; highmowing.org/hilltop) will show off their circus skills and tell the story of Winnie the Pooh at the 2022 Hilltop Circus: In the Hundred Acre Wood. The seventh- and eighth-grade students will present their show of juggling, acrobatics and more on Thursday, May 19, at 4 p.m.; Friday, May 20, at 6:30 p.m., and Saturday, May 21, at 4:30 p.m. The event is described as family-friendly and is open to the public; bring a donation to the Wilton’s Open Cupboard Food Pantry and get a free bag of popcorn, according to a press release. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for kids.

• The Majestic Academy of Dramatic Arts (for youth and teens) will presentCharlotte’s Web at the Majestic Theatre (880 Page St. in Manchester; majestictheatre.net, 669-7469) on Friday, May 20, at 7 p.m.; Saturday May 21, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, May 22, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $12 for 65+ and $10 for ages 17 and under (plus fees online).

• The Palace Youth Theatre will present The Little Mermaid Jr. on Wednesday, May 25, and Thursday, May 26, at 7 p.m. at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588). Tickets cost $12 to $15 for these shows, which feature performers in grades 2 through 12.