Category: Family Fun

Family fun for the weekend

Vacation week fun

Let the kids explore hands-on exhibits that show the science behind motion, light, space exploration, the ocean, human genetics and more at the SEE Science Center in Manchester (200 Bedford St., 669-0400, see-sciencecenter.org), which is open daily for the remainder of this week through Feb. 28. Visitors can reserve morning or afternoon sessions in advance, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 2 to 5 p.m. Pre-registration, either via the website or by phone, is required as capacity for each session is limited. Admission is $9 per person ages 3 and up.

While the hours at theChildren’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St. in Dover; children’s-museum.org, 742-2002) are still limited (Thursdays through Saturdays, 9 to 11:30 a.m. or 1 to 3:30 p.m.) and all visitors must pre-register online, the museum’s website is full of fun activities to keep the kids busy during vacation. There’s a Books Alive literacy program that includes videos of book characters who visit during storytime (Pete the Cat makes an appearance!) as well as craft activities related to the books and characters. It’s also Dental Health Month at the museum, and there are videos related to that, as well as hands-on activities for those who visit in person. Admission is $11 for adults and children over 1, $9 for seniors 65+, and free for museum members and children under 1.

Socialize and exercise

Every Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. the Health Club of Concord (10 Garvins Falls Road, 224-7787) hosts a free Parent and Me Play Date that’s open to the public. Get together with other parents in a safe and fun environment and socialize or just relax while your children play. The next play date is happening Friday, Feb. 19. The club also offers a free kids Zumba class on Thursdays at 10 a.m. when a parent attends the adult Zumba class at 9 a.m. on that day ($15 for non-members; free child care during the adult class). Visit healthclubofconcord.com.

Family fun for the weekend

L.O.V.E. bingo

Have a sweet Valentine’s Day celebration at Chunky’s Cinema Pub. The theater is hosting family-friendly Theater Candy Bingo on Saturday, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m. at its Manchester location (707 Huse Road) and its Pelham location (150 Bridge St.), and on Sunday, Feb. 14, at noon at its Nashua location (151 Coliseum Ave.). It’s traditional bingo with a little more heart — each round will feature Valentine’s Day patterns, like a heart shape and Xs and Os, and there will be Valentine’s Day-themed prizes for the winners, along with traditional boxes of theater candy. Purchase a ticket online to reserve a spot; for $4.99 you get a ticket and a box of Chunky’s theater candy. Turn in your candy to the host to get a bingo card and play a few rounds to try to win back that candy and more. Visit chunkys.com.

Skate outside

Local cities and towns have outdoor ice skating rinks that are free and open to residents and non-residents. The rinks may be open on and off, depending on the temperatures, so call or check the city’s or town’s website or social media before you go. Here are a few local rinks to check out:

• Bow Town Pond, 3 Bow Center Road, Bow, 223-3920, bow-nh.com.

• Concord has three public rinks: Beaver Meadow Pond, 1 Beaver Meadow Dr.; Rollins Park, 116 Broadway St.; and White Park Pond & Hockey Rink, 1 White St. Call 225-8690 or visit concordnh.gov. When open, hours are daily from dawn to dusk.

• Dorrs Pond, 56 Hooksett Road, Manchester, 624-6444, manchesternh.gov. When open, hours are daily from dawn to dusk.

• Ice Skating Rink at Watson Park, 441 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 882-1046, merrimackparksandrec.org. When open, hours are daily from dawn to 9 p.m.

• Kimball Lake, 47 Kimball Lake Road, Hopkinton, 746-8263, hopkintonrec.com. When open, hours are daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Nashua has two public rinks: Jeff Morin Fields at Roby Park, 126 Spit Brook Road (when open, hours are daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. for general skating, and from 8 to 10 p.m. for hockey) and Four Corners, behind Holman Stadium, Sargent Avenue (when open, hours are daily from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. for general skating, and before 11 a.m. and between 4:30 and 6 p.m. for hockey). Call 589-3370 or visit nashuanh.gov.

Family fun for the weekend

Celebrate Apollo 14

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 14 with the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Drive, Concord, starhop.com)! According to its website, the center is offering several free virtual activities, including a live online community rocket launch on Saturday, Feb. 6, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Bring a straw rocket, baking soda and vinegar rocket, Alka-Seltzer rocket or any other kind of rocket, then count down together and launch them into the sky. Coming up Thursday, Feb. 4, at 7 p.m. is the Special Star Show – The Apollo 14 Sky workshop via Zoom (free, but registration at starhop.com is required). On Friday, Feb. 5, take the family on the Alan Shepard Driving Tour (the route is available online) and check in via social media. Pinkerton Academy hosts Mr. Aaron’s Space Sing-Along for younger kids on Sunday, Feb. 7, at 9:30 a.m.

Catch the planes

The Festival of Planes at the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road, Londonderry, 669-4820, aviationmuseumofnh.org) has been extended to Sunday, Feb. 7. According to a press release, the walk-through exhibit, which includes aviation-themed toys, models and puzzles, plus vintage aircraft piloted by celebrities like Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse, has been so popular that it will close two weeks later than planned. The toys span the 20th century, from custom-made cast iron planes to today’s mass-produced Hello Kitty airplane toys. In addition, hundreds of collectible model aircrafts are displayed on a new Wall of Planes in the museum’s learning center. This weekend the museum will be open Friday, Feb. 5, and Saturday, Feb. 6, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 7, from 1 to 7 p.m. The exhibit is included with museum admission of $10 per person; $5 for seniors 65+, veterans/active military and students under 13. Members and children under age 5 get in free.

Family fun for the weekend

Hike by the light of the moon

Beaver Brook (117 Ridge Road in Hollis; 465-7787, beaverbrook.org) has hikes on the schedule this weekend. On Friday, Jan. 29, it’s a Full Moon Hike, which starts at 6:30 p.m. Definitely take the advice to dress in layers; admission costs $15 per person. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Beaver Brook also has kid-focused events during weekdays. See their website for information on multi-week programs, including the Kids Fitness Hiking Club, homeschool programs and events for the pre-K crowd.

More wildlife

The Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (23 Science Center Road in Holderness; 968-7194, nhnature.org) has Wild Winter Walks on the schedule for the next few weekends. This weekend, the walks take place Sunday, Jan. 31, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The walks (recommended for ages 6 and up) offer an outdoor look at the center’s animals during the winter. The cost is $10 per person; register online.

Putting on a virtual show

Kids with theatrical dreams might want to check out the Palace Teen Company’s “Take Over Show,” with the teens performing their “Broadway dream roles,” according to palacetheatre.org, where you can buy a $15 ticket to this virtual show, happening Friday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m.

Crafting and bouncing

Cowabunga’s (725 Huse Road in Manchester; mycowabungas.com, 935-9659) is offering a String Art & Bouncing activity on Friday, Jan. 29, at 6 p.m. The craft is a string-art heart (materials will be provided) and kids will have a chance to bounce while waiting for part of the craft to dry. Tickets cost $15; see the website to reserve a spot.