Once upon a time, before there were books, stories were told and retold. Let your imagination fly as you listen to a story about the adventures of James, some insects and a very large piece of fruit.

What is Cinco de Mayo? A famous celebration in Mexico! Let's learn about this special day and make a craft to take home.

Jackson Pollock was famous for his drip and splatter paintings. Join us to learn about the artist and create your own splatter-piece.

What makes a fish a fish? Learn about fins, scales and gills, and make a sparkly craft to take home.

We'll practice tracing circles to make a Mati or 'eye' to ward off all things bad.

Choo choo! From here to there, there are many ways to travel. Hop on board our imaginary train and play a rhythm letter game. Can you spell T-R-A-I-N?

What makes a fish a fish? Learn about fins, scales and gills, and make a sparkly craft to take home.

Join the staff of the Animal Refuge League and learn about your favorite pets!

Learn about spending money wisely. We'll figure out how to best spend (and share!) our play money by "shopping" at Our Town's Hank's Market and planning a picnic lunch. Sponsored by Key Bank Foundation.

Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine members and volunteers are invited to celebrate the opening of our newest exhibit, Smart Art. A traveling EEC exhibit, Smart Art explores the connections between art and science. Enjoy light refreshments, music and the company of other members, volunteers, and staff. We'll even make a piece of smart art to take home! If you'd like to be among the first to enjoy Smart Art, RSVP to .

It's our favorite Friday. Join us for a chance to meet and greet one of Portland's fire fighters.

Join wildlife rehabilitator David Sparks and meet an animal friend!

We'll practice tracing circles to make a Mati or 'eye' to ward off all things bad.

Celebrate spring by dyeing hard-boiled eggs using all-natural plant pigments.

Place and stack plastic cups to see how high we can go!

Cumulus and stratus and cirrus, oh my! Join us to learn about cloud types and make your own cloud collage.

Don't miss our life-size puppets with real stories, just like real kids! This spring we will be introducing Mandy Puccini, Ellen Jane Peterson, and Joanne Spinoza! Presented through a generous donation from Unum, the Sam L. Cohen Foundation and the Hartford Foundation. FMI call 828-1234 x247 or email .

What comes next? We'll practice following a pattern of colors and shapes and make up our own patterns as we create colorful garlands to take home.

What do plants need to grow? Let's learn how to sprout our own seeds to take home!

If you were a skunk, would you go on an adventure with a squirrel? Join us for a creative storytelling adventure, you can even wear a costume!

Join us for this special hands-on workshop as we turn old newspapers, wrapping paper, and even leaves and flowers into paper!
$5/members, $14/non-members (includes $8 admission).
Pre-registration required. To register call 828-1234 x241 or email .

Let's go outside and see how many different kinds of bubbles we can make!

Who wants to play The Blind Hen? Join us for this game, a favorite of kids in Mexico!

What is Cinco de Mayo? A famous celebration in Mexico! Let's learn about this special day and make a craft to take home.

Jackson Pollock was famous for his drip and splatter paintings. Join us to learn about the artist and create your own splatter-piece.

Would you like to be a cat? What about an eagle? Let's turn ourselves into different animals by learning yoga poses!

We'll practice tracing circles to make a Mati or 'eye' to ward off all things bad.

Vroom vroom, beep beep! From here to there, there are many ways to travel. Let's look at different types of cars and trucks and make a road map to take home!

Would you like to be a cat? What about an eagle? Let's turn ourselves into different animals by learning yoga poses!

We'll learn about different bird songs and then create our own beautiful chirping chorus.

Plant tiny seeds easily with this fun technique! Make a seed tape to take home and plant in your garden or a friend's.

Place and stack plastic cups to see how high we can go!

We'll practice tracing circles to make a Mati or 'eye' to ward off all things bad.

Learn about the amazing properties of chicken eggs in this egg-cellent adventure! How can you tell if an egg is fresh? What wild creations can we make with egg whites? Come experience as we learn how heat changes proteins and the special role eggs play in cooking.
$15 for members, $20 for non-members (does not include admission).
This is a drop-off program. Pre-registration is required by Wednesday, May 26th.
Click here to register, call 828-1234 x241 or email .

Learn about spending money wisely. We'll figure out how to best spend (and share!) our play money by "shopping" at Our Town's Hank's Market and planning a picnic lunch. Sponsored by Key Bank Foundation.

What comes next? We'll practice following a pattern of colors and shapes and make up our own patterns as we create colorful garlands to take home.

Cumulus and stratus and cirrus, oh my! Join us to learn about cloud types and make your own cloud collage.

Let's take a close look at some spring flowers. We'll investigate flower parts using a magnifying glass and then create beautiful paper blossoms to take home.

Place and stack plastic cups to see how high we can go!

Who wants to play The Blind Hen? Join us for this game, a favorite of kids in Mexico!

If you were a skunk, would you go on an adventure with a squirrel? Join us for a creative storytelling adventure, you can even wear a costume!

Where and when was the first American Flag created? Let's find out and then make our own flags to take home!

Who wants to play The Blind Hen? Join us for this game, a favorite of kids in Mexico!

Can you squawk like a seagull? Let's make flying seagull puppets and then put on a puppet show!

Join us in our fantastic Camera Obscura to experiment with shadows and shapes.

Let's learn about the famous Nigerian Arugungu Fishing Festival and make our own fish to take home!

Piet Mondrian painted with geometric shapes and primary colors. Organize your own shapes and colors while we celebrate this Dutch artist.

Hear a story and meet a puppet. Join us in the Dress-Up Theatre for furry friends and special story telling.

It's Eric Carle's birthday month! Let's celebrate this beloved author by making a caterpillar collage.

Get ready to move and groove with Irene. This program is very popular so sign-up at the front desk to save your spot.

With spring comes the rain and sometimes thunder! We'll use water, improvised musical instruments and our voices to make the sounds of a sweet spring rain.

Create your own piggy bank to take home to help you learn how to set goals for saving and discover ways you can earn money in your local community. Sponsored by Key Bank Foundation.

It's our favorite Friday. Join us for a chance to meet and greet one of Portland's fire fighters.

It's Eric Carle's birthday month! Let's celebrate this beloved author by making a caterpillar collage.

Join us in our fantastic Camera Obscura to experiment with shadows and shapes.

Have you ever noticed that things look different underwater, or wondered what makes a rainbow form in the sky? Explore how water and glass can bend light as we try different ways to make a rainbow.

We strive to share the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine experience with families who cannot afford our regular admission or who cannot visit during our regular business hours. To serve our community, we are open the first Friday of every month from 5-8pm for only $1 per person. As always, members and children under age one are admitted free.

Join our summer production of Pinocchio based on the story by Carlo Collodi! Pinocchio is a living puppet who must prove himself worthy of being a real boy! We're looking for young actors ages 10-16 to play the major parts in Pinocchio and help out with some of our summer camps! If you'd like to be part of this production, prepare a short monologue for the audition.
FMI call 828-1234 x247 or email .

Have you met Nigel, Bizzy-Bob, Dill, and Eloise? These four yellow-bellied sliders love visitors! Join us to learn about turtles while visiting with our live reptilian friends.

Have you ever noticed that things look different underwater, or wondered what makes a rainbow form in the sky? Explore how water and glass can bend light as we try different ways to make a rainbow.

In honor of our new exhibit, Smart Art, let's celebrate the beautiful shapes and patterns found in nature by learning about Ernst Haeckel, a famous biologist and artist!

Don't miss our life-size puppets with real stories, just like real kids! Presented through a generous donation from Unum, the Sam L. Cohen Foundation and the Hartford Foundation.
FMI call 828-1234 x247 or email .

Making cheese at home is easier than you might have imagined! Get started with this hands-on workshop as we make and taste some simple cheese and add herbs to spice them up.

Cost is $8 for members, $18 for non-members (includes $8 admission).

Pre-registration deadline is Tuesday, June 3.

To register call 828-1234 x229 or email .

What do kids like to eat in Nigeria? Come join us in our We Are Maine exhibit to find out!

Today is National Day in Sweden! Come learn about this Scandinavian country and make a Swedish flag to celebrate.

Have you ever seen a whale before? Let's make puppets of these amazing creatures and then create a whale of a tale in our puppet theatre!

Use the letters of the alphabet to make fun shapes with your body! We'll learn the moves for each letter and create dances by spelling things out!

Have you ever wanted to be a sorcerer? What about a dragon? Now's your chance! Let's make up stories while we wear costumes and use our imaginations!

Let's work together to turn into butterflies by acting out The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
This class meets on Tuesdays, June 8, 15, 22 and 29.

This class is designed for ages 3-5.

Cost is $60 for members and $75 for non-members.
Participants must register for the entire month. Click here to register, call 828-1234 x247 or email .

What do kids like to eat in Nigeria? Come join us in our We Are Maine exhibit to find out!

Let's learn about the famous Nigerian Arugungu Fishing Festival and make our own fish to take home!

Piet Mondrian painted with geometric shapes and primary colors. Organize your own shapes and colors while we celebrate this Dutch artist.

Let's experiment with different tools to see how many kinds of bubbles we can make!

It's Eric Carle's birthday month! Let's celebrate this beloved author by making a caterpillar collage.

Let's experiment with different tools to see how many kinds of bubbles we can make!

We'll learn about different bird songs and then create our own beautiful chirping chorus.

Investigate a treasure trove of greens as we sort out the different leaves in a "spring mix" salad. We'll even try to figure out what plants they're from and taste to see which are our favorites.

Place and stack plastic cups to see how high we can go!

It's Eric Carle's birthday month! Let's celebrate this beloved author by making a caterpillar collage.

Let's take a close look at some spring flowers. We'll investigate flower parts using a magnifying glass and then create beautiful paper blossoms to take home.

Learn about spending money wisely. We'll figure out how to best spend (and share!) our play money by "shopping" at Our Town's Hank's Market and planning a picnic lunch. Sponsored by Key Bank Foundation.

We'll learn some simple magic tricks and then show what we've learned by putting on a magic show!

In honor of our new exhibit, Smart Art, let's celebrate the beautiful shapes and patterns found in nature by learning about Ernst Haeckel, a famous biologist and artist!

Place and stack plastic cups to see how high we can go!

Let's take a close look at some spring flowers. We'll investigate flower parts using a magnifying glass and then create beautiful paper blossoms to take home.

The Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine invites all families of children with autism to a private playtime. We will be open FREE to families who have children with autism from 10am until noon. Siblings are welcome. FMI contact Jamie at 828-1234 x241 or .

Does every garden have to be in the ground? No way! Bring in the wackiest container you can think of and we'll plant something in it! (Ideas: an old shoe, a teacup, a toy truck)

Have you ever wanted to be a sorcerer? What about a dragon? Now's your chance! Let's make up stories while we wear costumes and use our imaginations!

Can you squawk like a seagull? Let's make flying seagull puppets and then put on a puppet show!

Use the letters of the alphabet to make fun shapes with your body! We'll learn the moves for each letter and create dances by spelling things out!

Join us for Moonshine Baby, a game popular with kids in Nigeria!

Once upon a time, before there were books, tales were told and retold. Join us for a re-telling of the beloved story Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey and keep your eyes open for those berry-munching bears!

Let's learn about the famous Nigerian Arugungu Fishing Festival and make our own fish to take home!

Piet Mondrian painted with geometric shapes and primary colors. Organize your own shapes and colors while we celebrate this Dutch artist.

Let's get outside and read some stories in the Pirate Ship!

We've brought a little piece of Nigeria to the Museum & Theatre. We'll view the traditional clothing of Nigeria and then make our own cloth creation.

Would you like to be a cat? What about an eagle? Let's turn ourselves into different animals by learning yoga poses!

Let's get outside and read some stories in the Pirate Ship!

Join the staff of the Animal Refuge League and learn about your favorite pets!

See a 360 degree view of Portland from our Camera Obscura. Then we'll discover where science and art meet by tracing a scene to create a perfect perspective drawing.

Learn about spending money wisely. We'll figure out how to best spend (and share!) our play money by "shopping" at Our Town's Hank's Market and planning a picnic lunch. Sponsored by Key Bank Foundation.

It's our favorite Friday. Join us for a chance to meet one of Portland's fire fighters and participate in a fire-safety activity.

We've brought a little piece of Nigeria to the Museum & Theatre. We'll view the traditional clothing of Nigeria and then make our own cloth creation.

Have you ever noticed that things look different underwater, or wondered what makes a rainbow form in the sky? Explore how water and glass can bend light as we try different ways to make a rainbow.

Join us for a special visit from our friends at the Animal Welfare Society. Learn about pets and pet care for the furry and feathered.

Have you ever noticed that things look different underwater, or wondered what makes a rainbow form in the sky? Explore how water and glass can bend light as we try different ways to make a rainbow.

In honor of our new exhibit, Smart Art, let's celebrate the beautiful shapes and patterns found in nature by learning about Ernst Haeckel, a famous biologist and artist!

Don't miss our life-size puppets with real stories, just like real kids! Introducing Mandy Puccini, Ellen Jane Peterson, and Joanne Spinoza! Presented through a generous donation from Unum, the Sam L. Cohen Foundation and the Hartford Foundation. FMI call 828-1234 x247 or email .

Look for the constellations that helped escaping slaves navigate the underground railroad.

Happy Father's Day! To celebrate, Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine will offer free admission to all fathers and grandfathers today. They deserve it!

Bring your dad to the Museum & Theatre for a fun-filled afternoon of father-kid games!

Give your dad a Father's Day gift he'll never forget: a handmade frame to put your picture in!

Take a walk on the wild side as we enter the wacky world of animals and their habitats. Using the Ranger Station and our Tidepool Touch Tank as key resources, we'll investigate animal adaptations, environments and fun facts through crafts, books and visits from some furry friends.
Camp is for children ages 6-8
Cost of camp is $120 for members $150 for non-members.
For more information contact Shana at 207-828-1234 x232 or CLICK HERE.

Have you ever seen a whale before? Let's make puppets of these amazing creatures and then create a whale of a tale in our puppet theatre!

Use the letters of the alphabet to make fun shapes with your body! We'll learn the moves for each letter and create dances by spelling things out!

Let's celebrate the beginning of summer like people in Sweden! Join us to decorate the maypole with greens, do a group Sma grodorna dans (frog dance) and try out a potato race.

Let's celebrate the beginning of summer like people in Sweden! Join us to decorate the maypole with greens, do a group Sma grodorna dans (frog dance) and try out a potato race.

Have you ever wanted to be a sorcerer? What about a dragon? Now's your chance! Let's make up stories while we wear costumes and use our imaginations!

Let's learn about the famous Nigerian Arugungu Fishing Festival and make our own fish to take home!

Piet Mondrian painted with geometric shapes and primary colors. Organize your own shapes and colors while we celebrate this Dutch artist.

Let's celebrate the beginning of summer like people in Sweden! Join us to decorate the maypole with greens, do a group Sma grodorna dans (frog dance) and try out a potato race.

We've brought a little piece of Nigeria to the Museum & Theatre. We'll view the traditional clothing of Nigeria and then make our own cloth creation.

Let's celebrate the beginning of summer like people in Sweden! Join us to decorate the maypole with greens, do a group Sma grodorna dans (frog dance) and try out a potato race.

Come see an extended show with David Sparks and his amazing array of animals! Tickets are $2 for members and $11 for non-members (includes $8 admission). Because this program is so popular, you're encouraged to purchase your tickets in advance.
For tickets call 828-1234 x231 or visit our front desk. For more information email .

Learn about vernal pools and the singing frogs that lay their eggs in these fleeting wetlands. Then we'll create a fabulous frog chorus.

Investigate a treasure trove of greens as we sort out the different leaves in a "spring mix" salad. We'll even try to figure out what plants they're from and taste to see which are our favorites.

Eric Carle cut out shapes from hand painted paper to create the illustrations for The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Celebrate his birthday by making your very own collage storybook!

We've brought a little piece of Nigeria to the Museum & Theatre. We'll view the traditional clothing of Nigeria and then make our own cloth creation.

Let's celebrate the beginning of summer like people in Sweden! Join us to decorate the maypole with greens, do a group Sma grodorna dans (frog dance) and try out a potato race.

Learn about ways to earn money and use our savings to plan the perfect party for a friend while staying on a budget! Sponsored by Key Bank Foundation.

We'll celebrate Eric Carle's birthday by reading the story Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See? and then we'll act out our own story using animal puppets.

Let's celebrate the beginning of summer like people in Sweden! Join us to decorate the maypole with greens, do a group Sma grodorna dans (frog dance) and try out a potato race.

In honor of our new exhibit, Smart Art, let's celebrate the beautiful shapes and patterns found in nature by learning about Ernst Haeckel, a famous biologist and artist!

Place and stack plastic cups to see how high we can go!

Does every garden have to be in the ground? No way! Bring in the wackiest container you can think of and we'll plant something in it! (Ideas: an old shoe, a teacup, a toy truck)

Have you ever wanted to be a sorcerer? What about a dragon? Now's your chance! Let's make up stories while we wear costumes and use our imaginations!

1, 2, 3, 4 - see if you can play some more! In this camp, we'll explore the cultures of the world through games and music. We'll learn games like Gallinita Ciega, Korebe and Trompo while we play with instruments, sing songs and hear from some special guest musicians!
Camp is for children ages 4-5
Cost of camp is $120 for members $150 for non-members.
For more information contact Shana at 207-828-1234 x232 or CLICK HERE.

Pinocchio is a puppet that came to life. Learn how to make your own puppets and bring them to life, with or without string attached, in this exciting puppet-making camp with a professional puppeteer! You can use your puppet later in our summer production of Pinocchio!
Camp is for children ages 6-8
Cost of camp is $140 for members $170 for non-members.
For more information contact Shana at 207-828-1234 x232 or CLICK HERE.

Can you squawk like a seagull? Let's make flying seagull puppets and then put on a puppet show!

Use the letters of the alphabet to make fun shapes with your body! We'll learn the moves for each letter and create dances by spelling things out!

Join us for Moonshine Baby, a game popular with kids in Nigeria!

Celebrate Camera Day and our Smart Art exhibit! Join us for a guided tour of our Camera Obscura and learn about photography and the human eye. Feel free to bring your camera!

Let's learn about the famous Nigerian Arugungu Fishing Festival and make our own fish to take home!

See a 360 degree view of Portland from our Camera Obscura. Then we'll discover where science and art meet by tracing a scene to create a perfect perspective drawing.

Piet Mondrian painted with geometric shapes and primary colors. Organize your own shapes and colors while we celebrate this Dutch artist.

Who is your favorite superhero? Come dressed in costume or just come pretend with us as we act like superheroes!

We've brought a little piece of Nigeria to the Museum & Theatre. We'll view the traditional clothing of Nigeria and then make our own cloth creation.

Would you like to be a cat? What about an eagle? Let's turn ourselves into different animals by learning yoga poses!

Do you believe in fairies? What about elves? In this magical camp, we'll explore myths and legendary creatures from cultures all over the world. We'll use our imaginations to make costumes, tell stories and more! We'll even have a visit from the Blue Fairy, straight from the Museum & Theatre's summer play, Pinocchio - and we'll have a chance to help out with the production!
Camp is for children ages 4-5
Cost of camp is $130 for members $160 for non-members.
For more information contact Shana at 207-828-1234 x232 or CLICK HERE.

Learn about theatre as you take on the supporting roles in Pinocchio! Here's your chance to be part of the ensemble that makes the performance! In this intense 3 week theatre camp, discover physical and vocal techniques and focus on becoming a team of actors that make the story come to life!
Camp is for children ages 8-10
Cost for 3-week camp: $270 for members, $300 for non-members.
For more information contact Shana at 207-828-1234 x232 or CLICK HERE.

The final scenes of Pinocchio take place in the belly of a fish! Come explore underwater fantasy and become the fish that helped Pinocchio find his father. In this camp we'll explore fact and fiction and the special moments that make for a truly great story!
Camp is for children ages 4-5
Cost of camp is $130 for members $160 for non-members.
For more information contact Shana at 207-828-1234 x232 or CLICK HERE.

Pack that passport and join us to travel the globe through pages of our favorite picture books. We'll cook and craft the morning away as we meet special guests and learn how children around the globe live and play.
Camp is for children ages 4-5
Cost of camp is $120 for members $150 for non-members.
For more information contact Shana at 207-828-1234 x232 or CLICK HERE.

Yes, please touch! From laboratory concoctions to roll-up-your-sleeves sculpture, explore the world of the wet and the gooey. In addition to visiting sea creatures in the Tidepool Touch Tank, we will study other animals with wet, slippery skins and examine creatures that live in the mud. Come feel something slimy or squishy each day!
Camp is for children ages 4-5
Cost of camp is $120 for members $150 for non-members.
For more information contact Shana at 207-828-1234 x232 or CLICK HERE.

Let's get down and dirty! Express your artistic ability in a variety of ways this week. We'll use our imaginations to explore color, materials and art history. Join us at the end of the week for a special gallery showing to display our "messterpieces!"
Camp is for children ages 4-5
Cost of camp is $120 for members $150 for non-members.
For more information contact Shana at 207-828-1234 x232 or CLICK HERE.

What do a park bench, a human knot and a typewriter have in common? They are just three of the improvisational games we will play in this wacky theatre camp! We'll learn five new games each day and play the games we like again and again! If you like to have fun and want to spend one week thinking on your feet, this camp is for you!
Camp is for children ages 6-8
Cost of camp is $120 for members $150 for non-members.
For more information contact Shana at 207-828-1234 x232 or CLICK HERE.

Calling all animal lovers! Let your imagination take you all over the world as you fly like a tiny hummingbird and swim like a humpback whale. Make your own animal puppet to take home as we learn about the fabulous feats involved in animal migration.
Camp is for children ages 4-5
Cost of camp is $120 for members $150 for non-members.
For more information contact Shana at 207-828-1234 x232 or to register please CLICK HERE.