Portsmouth, NH, nestled along the scenic coastline of the Atlantic Ocean, is an exceptional place for families looking to raise their children in a vibrant and enriching environment. With a population of approximately 21,000, Portsmouth strikes the perfect balance between a tight-knit community and a lively cultural hub. Education is a top priority in Portsmouth, as the city boasts an impressive school system. From highly regarded public schools to excellent private institutions, parents have a wide range of educational options to choose from. The schools place great emphasis on fostering a love for learning and providing a well-rounded education for children of all ages. Beyond traditional education, Portsmouth offers numerous opportunities for entertainment and enrichment. Families can explore the Strawbery Banke Museum, an outdoor historical village that provides immersive experiences about Portsmouth's colonial past. The Children's Museum of New Hampshire offers interactive exhibits and hands-on activities that inspire creativity and curiosity in young minds. For nature enthusiasts, the Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge provides an idyllic setting for hiking, birdwatching, and learning about the region's diverse ecosystems. In addition, Portsmouth hosts a vibrant arts and cultural scene, with numerous theaters, galleries, and music venues. Families can enjoy performances at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre or catch a concert at The Music Hall. The city also hosts various festivals throughout the year, celebrating everything from arts and crafts to seafood and maritime heritage. Safety is of paramount importance in Portsmouth, as it consistently ranks as one of the safest cities in New Hampshire. The community's strong sense of unity and commitment to quality of life make it an ideal place for families to thrive. Overall, Portsmouth, NH, offers a warm and welcoming environment for families, with exceptional educational opportunities, a variety of engaging entertainment options, and a strong sense of community.
Read morechild enrichment programs in Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth Academy of Performing Arts
The Seacoast Rep is a vibrant and inspiring part of the Portsmouth community, located in the historic downtown area. This regional theatre produces award-winning shows that have been featured in the New York Times and shared with audiences around the world via live streams. Their mission is to enrich the culture of the community through the shared experience of live theatre. Seacoast Rep encourages us to take a step back from our individual reality and to embrace a more vast perspective, allowing us to examine the human condition in ways that can broaden our horizons and grow our empathy.
Music Together of Portsmouth and Kittery
At Music Together of Portsmouth, families come together to experience the joy of music-making. Babies, toddlers, preschoolers, big kids and parents alike love playing together in class. It is the perfect environment for parents to be a part of their children’s growth into confident music-makers. Our classes provide an opportunity for all to share in the fun of making music and creating special family memories. The Community Campus building at 100 Campus Drive in Portsmouth is the perfect place to enjoy Music Together of Portsmouth. It is spacious, sunny, and has 2 big windows that open to let in the fresh air. We are so excited to be a part of this building, and can’t wait to see all of the fun and happy families that will join us for Music Together of Portsmouth!
Steve DeMasco’s Shaolin Studios of Portsmouth, NH
At Shaolin Kung Fu, we develop mental and physical conditioning and awareness through the study and imitation of animal movements. We emphasize the power of self-defense and the discipline of focus, while emphasizing the power of positive thinking. Through the study of these animals and their movements, we are able to develop inner strength and focus. Our students learn to be more mindful of their body and actions, and how to use their body to achieve higher levels of physical and mental conditioning. We believe that this is the key to becoming the best version of ourselves.
Firefly Pottery
Welcome to our pottery studio! We have a wide variety of pottery pieces, all with prices that include the paint and firing. With over 100 colors to choose from and available stamps, stencils, transfers and guidance from our creative staff, you're sure to find the perfect project for you! No experience or studio fee required, so bring the whole family and let the fun begin!
Portsmouth School of Ballet
At our dance program, we emphasize proper placement and technique to help build strong foundations for our dancers. We understand that each dancer is unique, and strive to nurture their individual talent and creativity in a caring and professional manner. Our instructors are dedicated to creating a safe and nurturing environment, where every student, from beginner to pre-professional, can explore and enjoy the art of dance and its many rewards. We believe in providing our dancers with the resources to reach their personal best. We use the best methods and instruction available, inspiring our students to strive for excellence while building self-confidence and respect. We also provide performance opportunities and selections competitions, so our dancers can test their skills and gain valuable experience.
Portsmouth Scuba
In 1989, Portsmouth Scuba was born! With a mission to provide quality customer service, top of the line products, and competitive pricing, Jay’s dream was brought to life. Allowing Jay the opportunity to share his passion for diving with others. Jay was committed to providing exceptional customer service and educational experiences to all who walked through his doors. He built a community of divers that shared in his passion for the underwater world. His vision was to bring the joy of diving to everyone, and Portsmouth Scuba has grown to become one of the premier dive shops in the Northeast.
Seacoast Rep
Seacoast Rep is a vibrant nonprofit regional theater located in historic downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Through their mission of enriching the culture of the community, the theater has established itself as a bold innovator on the American theater scene. Their award-winning productions have been applauded in the New York Times and have been streamed live to audiences around the world. By providing a platform for shared experiences, the theater encourages its audience to take a walk in someone else’s shoes, deepening their understanding of the human condition and fostering a more empathetic society.
Portsmouth Music and Arts Center
The Portsmouth Music and Arts Center (PMAC) has been inspiring and motivating music and art students of all ages since its founding in 2002. We believe that the commitment of our faculty to the highest educational standards, coupled with the dedication of the students, is at the heart of our success. At PMAC, we offer a broad selection of educational programs that meet the needs and ambitions of students regardless of age or ability. Our teaching methodology, regardless of genre or medium, strives to help our students build strong foundations. Our music curriculum has expanded in recent years to cover classical, jazz, blues, bluegrass, folk and rock. Additionally, we regularly welcome guest artists to introduce our students to a variety of culturally diverse traditions. Our visual arts program also focuses on strong foundations via a range of media and cultures. Our goal is always to give our students the opportunity to reach their full creative potential.
YMCA of the Seacoast
Established in 1854, The Granite YMCA has been part of the state for over 166 years. We have branches in six locations across the state – Manchester, Goffstown, Concord, Londonderry, Portsmouth, and Rochester – and provide a range of youth development, healthy living, family strengthening, and social responsibility services. We also offer camping programs to help foster growth and development in young people. Our commitment to the community extends beyond our programming. In 2020, The Granite YMCA provided over $1 million in assistance to 5,144 individuals across New Hampshire. This included a sliding scale fee structure to ensure those in need had access to our services, free use of facilities to various non-profits, camp scholarships, and reduced fee or free child care services.
Park's Taekwondo School
Are you looking for an activity that will help your child stay physically fit and develop self-discipline? Look no further than Park’s Taekwondo School in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Park’s Taekwondo School offers world-class taekwondo training for students of any age or ability level. Taekwondo is a form of self-defense, but it’s also much more than that – it’s a way of life that promotes mental and physical fitness, and respect for self and others. Under the direction of World Taekwondo Federation Grandmaster Sun Woo Park, an eighth-dan black belt, and a team of experienced black belt instructors, the school provides the highest quality of martial arts training available. Grandmaster Park and his team of fifth- and sixth-dan masters bring a lifetime of knowledge and experience to every class. Park’s Taekwondo School provides an ideal environment to learn the fundamentals of taekwondo while developing self-discipline and physical fitness. With classes for students of any age or ability level, Park’s Taekwondo School is the perfect choice for parents looking for a wholesome activity for their children.