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Discover the Power of Play

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At the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine (CMTM), we set the stage for every child to imagine and learn through play.

Plan your next adventure today!

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Next Up

Featured
Closed
Nov 26
Closed

CMTM is closed on Tuesdays. We look forward to welcoming you another day!

Closed 11/28
Nov 28
Closed 11/28

CMTM will be closed today, Thursday November 28th. Regular hours resume on Friday November 29th.

Aquarium Tour
Nov 29
Aquarium Tour

Travel from the mountains to the sea during our Guided Aquarium Tour! Join a CMTM staff member at the Creek Tank and work your way around the River, the Pond, the Tide Pool, and the Wharf Tank. You'll see fish, turtles, sea stars, and maybe even a few surprises as your tour guide shares facts about animals and our local watershed along the way.

Theatre for Tots: Special Guest Portland Ballet
Dec 2
Theatre for Tots: Special Guest Portland Ballet

Sing, pretend, and dance! At today’s Theatre for Tots, join our special guest teacher from Portland Ballet to move your body to music. This is a special early childhood theatre experience for children 1-3 and their caregivers to gain confidence imagining and pretending together. Included with Admission.

Closed
Dec 3
Closed

CMTM is closed on Tuesdays. We look forward to welcoming you another day!

Art for Tots: The Art of Anna Atkins
Dec 4
Art for Tots: The Art of Anna Atkins

Explore, create, and collaborate during this drop-in class for children 2-5 and their caregivers. Each week, experiment with the mediums and styles of both well-known and emerging artists. This week, we will experiment with sunprints as we focus on Anna Atkins, a botanist & illustrator from the mid 1800’s. Anna used cyanotypes to capture botanical imagery & published the very first book of photographs in 1843. Please plan for a messy but fun morning; aprons will be provided. Thank you to Hancock Lumber for their support of this program and CMTM's MakerSpace.

Storytime with Nolan
Dec 5
Storytime with Nolan

Designed for young audiences, this weekly storytime invites guests to listen to a live reading of curated children’s books, with fun opportunities for audience participation.

Science for Tots: Circle Round
Dec 5
Science for Tots: Circle Round

Discover the Science for Tots series! This weekly program is specially designed for children ages 2-5 and their caregivers.

Circle-round for our month of shape-themed Science for Tots! During our three weeks of shape exploration, we will explore 2D and 3D shapes as we spray paint objects, play a shape scavenger hunt, and make a shape-filled cityscape.

During Science for Tots, we meet young children where they are by introducing them to STEM concepts like science, engineering, math, and the environment through rich sensory experiences. Sign up for one week or multiple weeks to meet new families and make new friends. Included with admission. Registration Required.

Note: Science for Tots requires the caregiver and child/children to attend the session together. Limited capacity to ensure materials and staff-to-participant ratio.

Let’s Stay Connected!

As a member of our email list, you will receive monthly emails detailing upcoming events, programs, and classes.

 
 

In the News

Featured
Listen: Beautiful Blackbird on Maine Public's State of the Art
Maine Public
Listen: Beautiful Blackbird on Maine Public's State of the Art
Maine Public

This week, two guests walk us through all these “Beautiful Blackbird” activities – Jordia Benjamin, Executive Director of the Indigo Arts Alliance and René Goddess, a Portland-based theater artist who is Artistic Director of The Theater Ensemble of Color as well as the director of the stage play edition of “Beautiful Blackbird.”

Maine Public
Children collaborate on "Portrait of Community" mural
Portland Press Herald
Children collaborate on "Portrait of Community" mural
Portland Press Herald

Assembled on a teal cardboard wall is a wide range of children’s artwork: doodles of multiple orange cats, crayon-drawn self-portraits, Acadia National Park depicted in markers, a drawing of a cup of boba tea. While the works vary in style and content, they come together in the mural to create a portrait of the children of the Portland area.

Portland Press Herald
10 Unforgettable Family Adventures in Maine
MSN
10 Unforgettable Family Adventures in Maine
MSN

Portland, Maine, is often associated with the calm coastal and seaside lifestyles. With a lively working waterfront, picturesque lighthouses, and sea glass beaches, it’s never been a better time to plan a trip to Maine.

MSN
The Best Fall Things to Do in Portland, ME: 15 Autumn Activities Recommended by Locals
Rent.com
The Best Fall Things to Do in Portland, ME: 15 Autumn Activities Recommended by Locals
Rent.com

Fall in Portland, Maine is a spectacular experience, filled with vibrant colors and a host of activities. September to October is the best time of year to enjoy the magic of fall in Portland, from the scenic coastal views to fun downtown festivities. Stroll through the charming streets of the Old Port, where you can explore local shops and enjoy seasonal treats at cozy cafes. Don’t miss the chance to visit nearby orchards for apple picking or take in breathtaking views on a scenic drive. With local festivals celebrating food, art, and community, there’s fall things to do in Portland, ME for everyone to enjoy. 

Rent.com
Tourism office awards $1M in marketing grants to 8 groups across Maine
MaineBiz
Tourism office awards $1M in marketing grants to 8 groups across Maine
MaineBiz

The Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine received a $200,000 grant that will allow the Portland attraction to launch a multi-tiered marketing campaign to increase awareness among tourists with children. 

MaineBiz
Children's Museum and Theatre of Maine gets $200K in grant funding
News Center Maine
Children's Museum and Theatre of Maine gets $200K in grant funding
News Center Maine

The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine (CMTM) has been awarded $200,000 as part of the final round of the Tourism Marketing & Development Recovery Program, announced today by the Maine Office of Tourism. CMTM is one of eight organizations across the state receiving funding.

News Center Maine

Updates + Stories

Stories from the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine: Featured Blog Posts
Faces of Belonging: Building a Portrait of Community with Artist in Residence Lisa DiFranza
Faces of Belonging: Building a Portrait of Community with Artist in Residence Lisa DiFranza

The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine is thrilled to welcome Lisa DiFranza, our current Artist in Residence, for a unique and collaborative project that brings the concept of community to life. Titled “Faces of Belonging,” this interactive, evolving mural invites visitors of all ages to reflect on and contribute to a collective portrait of belonging in Maine.

Read More →
CMTM Leads Maine in "Museums for All" Access Initiative
CMTM Leads Maine in "Museums for All" Access Initiative

Museums for All is a national initiative that makes cultural experiences accessible to everyone. It offers discounted admission to individuals receiving government assistance, such as SNAP, EBT, or state healthcare. More than 850 museums across the U.S. participate, including ten here in Maine. This program helps ensure that financial barriers don’t stand in the way of families enjoying valuable experiences at museums, fostering a lifelong love of learning and exploration.

Read More →
What's New at CMTM!
What's New at CMTM!

At the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine, we’re always looking for new ways to play and create. You may have noticed some fun new additions popping up around the building, from our new Visitor’s Store to our latest friends in From The Mountains to the Sea, CMTM’s aquarium! Every day is a new adventure, with so many stories ready to unfold. And we can’t wait to share our latest stories with you! Read on to see what’s new and how your family can explore what’s new at CMTM!

Read More →
Interview: René Goddess, Director of "Beautiful Blackbird"
Interview: René Goddess, Director of "Beautiful Blackbird"

CMTM is thrilled to collaborate with the incredibly talented René Goddess for the upcoming production of “Beautiful Blackbird” in CMTM's Maddy's Theatre, debuting on September 28. To give the community a closer look at the creative directorial mind behind the production, we spoke with René to learn more about her artistic journey, her inspiration for this show, and what she hopes audiences will take away from this vibrant celebration of culture and identity.

Read More →
Value Spotlight: Trust
Value Spotlight: Trust

CMTM has five core values: belonging, play, curiosity, community, and trust.

Each month, we are shining a light on a different core value and the how and why behind its significance to our organization and the people that make up our CMTM community. 

This month, we are taking a closer look at Trust. 

Read More →