Science Centres for Kids

What to do with the kids in the winter?

All the theme parks are closed, and it's too cold and wet to visit our glorious outdoor spaces…

How about something that they will find fascinating and will be educational at the same time?

Try one our fantastic Science Centres. The Science Centre is a new take on the old and dusty Museum, where kids can be entertained, and interact with scientific experiments.

This is the original Science Museum, and it has had a complete make-over from the old push-button displays that I remember from my childhood! No dust or boring displays anywhere in the whole building!

It is a huge museum with 7 floors of exhibits, which include an IMAX 3D cinema, a flight simulator, and play and discovery areas for younger children.

The best place to get your kids interacting with science is in the LaunchPad - almost a whole floor is devoted to experiments and displays that the kids can touch! This area also has live science demonstrations throughout the day (check with the Museum for times).

There are lots of really interesting sections in this museum covering everything about science from the history of Science (with a mock-up of James Watt's workshop) to the latest advances in technology.

This family-friendly museum on the busy Harbourside in Bristol is devoted to making learning about Science fun for children of all ages.

Your kids can become animators for the day in the animation exhibit, and even create their own unique animation!

Children can take part in real experiments and challenges in the Live Lab, and enjoy many hands-on exhibits about the human body, and the world around us.

There's even a Planetarium inside the stunning silver ball at the front of the centre, with different shows to choose from at different times during the day.

This science centre has a mission to promote greater understanding of science, and to provoke curiosity about the world around us.

There are lots of exhibits about the world and human evolution, and how we cope with living in the world today and in the future.

There is a planetarium with shows throughout the day, and a 4D Motion Ride (minimum height 4ft) to better explain the world around us. There is a Young Explorer's Zone for the young kids, and demonstrations from Science Explainers in the Science Theatre.

Don't forget the Curiosity Zone, which is a 100% hands-on exhibit to encourage your kids to think creatively and act like scientists.

This fun science centre is in a stunning location by the side of the River Clyde. It is designed to be intriguing and challenging, allowing kids to combine education with a great day out.

The main part of the science centre is the science mall which is in a gleaming titanium crescent. There are three floors packed with hands-on exhibits, live science demonstrations, and interactive workshops.

There is also a planetarium with shows throughout the day, and an IMAX cinema showing the latest 2D and 3D films.

This is the biggest attraction in the UK which is devoted to Space. There is something here for the whole family with over 150 interactive challenges.

The most impressive part of the Space Centre building is the 42 metre high Rocket Tower, where the largest rockets are displayed, and you can view various space artefacts such as a dog spacesuit, or the last piece of moon rock to be returned to earth. You can also control a rocket coming into land on the lunar surface in the Rocket Tower!

Whilst here the kids can also visit the largest planetarium dome in the UK, and watch various shows throughout the the day. There are even presenter led tours of the night sky included at peak periods to give even more choice.

One of the highlights for your kids will be the Spaceflight Induction Module, where they can join a 3D space mission.

Sensation is part of the Dundee Science Centre, and it is devoted to inspiring your children to learn all about Science.

Sensation is the only science centre in the UK based on the five senses!

There are loads of dramatic science demonstrations here at Sensation - your kids can see themselves in infra red, or morph themselves into an ape, or even try keyhole surgery!

This is the UK's longest established science centre based in Cardiff Bay, with a mission to engage people with science and to get them to learn more about it.

Perfect if you're in Wales in the winter with some kids who are waiting to be inspired!

There are over 120 hands-on exhibits to keep the kids amused - from a pneumatic Welsh dragon to puzzles and games based on scientific principles, all waiting to be touched!

During school holidays and at the weekends, there are daily science shows in the Science Theatre, and tours around the night sky in the digital Planetarium.

Don't forget, you can also visit Science Centres during the warmer months! Often the centres have longer opening hours and put on special events during the school holidays.