Things to do with kids in Portsmouth & the Seacoast, NH
Checked · All times are local Eastern Time (Portsmouth & the Seacoast time)
Coming up in Portsmouth & the Seacoast: Thanksgiving Guided Tours at Strawbery Banke (from Nov 7), Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke (from Dec 4), Portsmouth Tree Lighting and Illuminated Holiday Parade (Dec 5) and 2 more events. 6 always-open places, led by Strawbery Banke Museum, Children's Museum of New Hampshire and Seacoast Science Center. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Thanksgiving events in Portsmouth & the Seacoast
Thanksgiving Guided Tours at Strawbery Banke
- When
- Sat, Nov 7 – Sun, Nov 29
- Schedule
- Nov 7–8, 14–15, 21–22, 25 and 27–29
- Hours
- Tours at 10am, 11am, 11:30am, noon, 1pm, 1:30pm and 2pm (90 minutes)
- Cost
- Members $20; nonmembers $25; advance reservations recommended
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Indoor
A 90-minute guided tour of Thanksgiving traditions through the centuries, including Thanksgiving on the Homefront in 1943 at the Abbott House and Store. Tours sell out fast.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas & holiday events: Santa, lights and tree lightings
Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke
- When
- Fri, Dec 4 – Sun, Dec 20
- Schedule
- Dec 4–6, 11–13 and 18–20; timed arrival windows
- Hours
- Fri arrive 5:30–6:30pm, ends 8:30pm; Sat arrive 4:30–6:29pm, ends 8:30pm; Sun arrive 2–3:59pm, ends 6:30pm
- Cost
- From Nov 1: adults $35 Fri/Sun, $38 Sat; kids 3–17 $17.50/$19; under 3 free; family rate $87.50/$95
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
The historic Puddle Dock neighborhood glows with candle boxes and string lights; explore furnished historic houses decorated for the holidays. No on-site parking: park off-site and use the free Vintage Christmas trolley on weekends.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Portsmouth Tree Lighting and Illuminated Holiday Parade
- When
- Sat, Dec 5
- Hours
- Tree lighting 5–5:30pm in Market Square; parade 6pm from Goodwin Park on Islington Street
- Cost
- Free and open to all
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
The Mayor and City Council host the tree lighting in Market Square, then the illuminated parade marches downtown from Goodwin Park.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Jingle Bell Extravaganza at the Children's Museum of New Hampshire
- When
- Sun, Dec 13
- Hours
- Sessions 9–10:45am, 11:15am–1pm, 1:30–3:15pm and 3:45–5:30pm (snow date Dec 20)
- Cost
- $25 ($20 members); online pre-registration required
- Age
- Kids and families
- Setting
- Indoor
Meet Santa for a photo and a special gift, do holiday crafts and a science experiment, and play in the museum's exhibits. Pajamas welcome.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
New Year's events in Portsmouth & the Seacoast
Family New Year's Eve Celebration at the Children's Museum of New Hampshire
- When
- Thu, Dec 31
- Hours
- 9–11:30am (countdown 10:30am) or 12:30–3pm (countdown 2pm)
- Cost
- $15 ($7 members); under 12 months free; reservations and prepayment required
- Age
- Kids and families
- Setting
- Indoor
Ring in the New Year before bedtime: a disco-ball drop, confetti, wish blimps and sparkly paper hats at kid-friendly 'midnight' countdowns.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Always-open family places
Most popular first: zoos, aquariums and museums, then nature spots, parks and libraries. Prices come from each official site; "Not stated" means the site doesn't list one.
Strawbery Banke Museum
- Price
- Adults from $25; kids 5–17 from $12.50; under 5 and members free (valid two consecutive days)
- Best for
- Ages 3–17+ (our guidance)
Outdoor history museum of furnished historic houses; Wed–Mon 10am–4pm, Tue 10am–2pm guided tours only; limited parking
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Children's Museum of New Hampshire
- Price
- Adults and kids over 12 months $16; under 12 months free; 65+ $14
- Best for
- Ages 0–10 (our guidance)
Hands-on play museum in Dover with timed morning and afternoon sessions; closed Mondays
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Seacoast Science Center
- Price
- Admission required; see site
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Ocean science center with touch tanks at Odiorne Point State Park; open 10am–4pm
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
USS Albacore Museum
- Price
- Teens & adults $14; kids 2–12 $8; 62+ and veterans $10; active-duty military free
- Best for
- Ages 4–17+ (our guidance)
Tour a 1953 research submarine; temporarily closed for winter from mid-December to mid-February
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Prescott Park
- Price
- Free to walk the park
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Downtown waterfront park, home of the summer Prescott Park Arts Festival
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Portsmouth Public Library
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
City library; Mon–Thu 10am–8pm, Fri–Sat 10am–5pm
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Portsmouth & the Seacoast this weekend?
Strawbery Banke Museum, Children's Museum of New Hampshire and Seacoast Science Center are open most days, but we don't have a Portsmouth & the Seacoast event listed for this weekend (Oct 31–Nov 1). Next up: Thanksgiving Guided Tours at Strawbery Banke (Nov 7) and Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke (Dec 4).
What are free things to do with kids in Portsmouth & the Seacoast?
These are free according to their official sites: 2 places and 1 upcoming event in Portsmouth & the Seacoast, including Prescott Park, Portsmouth Public Library and Portsmouth Tree Lighting and Illuminated Holiday Parade (Sat, Dec 5).
Where can kids play indoors in Portsmouth & the Seacoast when it's cold or snowy?
We list 4 indoor places in Portsmouth & the Seacoast: Children's Museum of New Hampshire (kids $16), Seacoast Science Center (Admission required), USS Albacore Museum (kids $8) and Portsmouth Public Library (kids free).
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in Portsmouth & the Seacoast?
We list 1 Thanksgiving event in Portsmouth & the Seacoast: Thanksgiving Guided Tours at Strawbery Banke (Nov 7 – Nov 29).
When and where can kids see Santa in Portsmouth & the Seacoast?
We list 1 event with Santa in Portsmouth & the Seacoast: Jingle Bell Extravaganza at the Children's Museum of New Hampshire (Dec 13).
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Portsmouth & the Seacoast?
We list 2 holiday light events in Portsmouth & the Seacoast, 1 free: Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke (Dec 4 – Dec 20) and Portsmouth Tree Lighting and Illuminated Holiday Parade (Dec 5, free).
What is there to do with toddlers in Portsmouth & the Seacoast?
We list 3 places in Portsmouth & the Seacoast that welcome kids under 2, including Children's Museum of New Hampshire, Prescott Park and Portsmouth Public Library. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
What are the big family attractions in Portsmouth & the Seacoast?
The best-known family attractions we list in Portsmouth & the Seacoast are Strawbery Banke Museum (kids $12.50), Children's Museum of New Hampshire (kids $16) and Seacoast Science Center (Admission required). See all 6 above. They're listed first under always-open places.
How much do Portsmouth & the Seacoast family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 5 places in Portsmouth & the Seacoast: Strawbery Banke Museum (adult $25, kids $12.50), Children's Museum of New Hampshire (adult $16, kids $16) and USS Albacore Museum (adult $14, kids $8). See all 5 above. Confirm before you go; prices change.
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How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site; others show an estimated price level or "Not stated". A place is called free only when its official site says so. Read how we verify listings · Arizona weekend search.
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