During school holidays, you want to take the children to places that offer educational stimulation – and they just want to have fun. But perhaps there are places that offer both, and more.
See my pick of the best museums you and your kids will just love.
1. Eureka! The National Children’s Museum
Eureka is an interactive and educational museum for children which focuses on learning through play. It is aimed at families with children aged 0–11 and supports hands-on inter-generational learning, so adults can have fun too!
They have six themed zones, hundreds of interactive exhibits, and large grounds equating to hours of fun. Not to mention their huge outdoors sand pit!
Eureka have been very helpful and added tips to get the most your of your visit to their website – including arriving on a sunny day as it is usually less busy so you get to experience everything.
Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire
Prices:
Under 1: free
1-2 years: £5.25
3+ years (including adults): £12.95
What is fantastic is that you pay for admission on your first visit, then get your free Annual Pass for 12 months of unlimited visits!
2. At-Bristol Science Centre
At-Bristol Science Centre is a hands-on science museum with an aim “to make science accessible to all.” There are many interactive exhibits, shows and workshops for children of all ages. It is also home of the UK’s first 3D planetarium.
The exhibits are themed and science shows and workshops are sometimes aimed at specific audiences according to ages. It really is a fabulous learning experience for all of the family.
Location: Bristol, South West England
Prices:
Adults from £15.30
Children from £9.90
3. Manchester Science and Industry Museum (MOSI)
MOSI centres on showcasing the development of science, technology and industry, emphasising Manchester’s many achievements in these areas.
There are wide-ranging interactive displays on the theme of transport (aircraft, cars, and railway locomotives), power (steam and gas engines, water, electricity), Manchester’s textiles, computing and communications, amongst other themes.
The museum is aimed at children of all ages – and it’s free! You won’t be disappointed.
Location: Manchester, North West
Prices:
Free – donations welcome
4. Techniquest
Techniquest is the Welsh science museum aiming to embed science through interactive learning. As well as many hosting interactive exhibits, they hold regular science theatre shows, planetarium shows and have specific days for toddlers amongst other attractions. The centre is designed to make science fun and engaging for all children and adults of all ages.
Techniquest is the UK’s longest established science discovery centre and it develops exhibits to sell to similar venues all over the world.
Location : Cardiff Bay, South Wales
Prices :
Adult £8
Children 4-15: £6.50
Children under 3: free
5. The National Space Centre
The National Space Centre is an educational and interactive museum focusing on space science and astronomy. They undertake a space research programme in partnership with the University of Leicester.
This gem of a museum is hosts six interactive space-themed galleries, has the UK’s largest planetarium, offers an amazing 3D simulator experience and holds a 42m high Rocket Tower.
Location: Leicester, East Midlands
Prices:
Adult £14.00
Child (5-16) £11.00
Under 5 free
6. The Discovery Museum
This impressive interactive science and history museum is aimed at children of all ages. As with MOSI, The Discovery Museum is based on its city’s achievements in maritime and science and technology and how they benefited the rest of the world.
Up and coming scientists can explore the interactive Science Maze while younger children can splash around in the water play area. You can also see the Turbinia which was once the fastest steam-powered ship in the world.
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne, North East
Prices:
Free – donations welcome
7. The MAD Museum
The MAD (Mechanical Art and Design) Museum is the only attraction of its kind in the UK. It showcases the world’s best pieces of Kinetic (moving) Art from pioneering artists. It hosts interactive exhibits of mechanical art and design with handles, lights, sound effects and buttons.
The museum gives the whole family the chance to experience and interact with amazing and wacky machines. Physics is a recurring theme throughout the exhibits so you can be sure the children are learning as well as having fun.
Location: Stratford-Upon-Avon, West Midlands
Prices:
Adult £7.80
Child (6-15yrs) £5.20
Child 5yrs and under Free
Family (2 adults and 2 children) £22.00
Extra child with a family ticket £3.50
