What's On

Science and Industry Museum unveils jam-packed FREE events lineup for October half term

Families are invited to "transform into architects, engineers, and inventors" for a day.

Emily Sergeant - 11th October 2023

Half term is right around the corner, and it won’t be long before parents are looking for ways to keep their little Mancs occupied.

Luckily, the Science and Industry Museum has got you covered.

With only a few weeks to go now until schools in Greater Manchester and the North West are out for October half term, the massively popular museum in the heart of Manchester city centre has unveiled a jam-packed lineup of free events, and is inviting families down to “transform into architects, engineers, and inventors” for a day.

That’s because it’s handing over its galleries and spaces to community groups and neighbours from right across the region.

The groups’ll be using their “unique outlooks” to help people explore all the ways the city is evolving. 

Running from 21 October right through to 5 November, the museum’s half term events lineup has been created in partnership with friends and partners across the city-region as part of the Science and Industry Museum’s new City Sparks community programme.

Those heading down to the museum this half term can become architects for the day and reimagine the city’s high streets and iconic skyline, discover how to get their voices heard using arts and crafts, and explore Manchester’s industrial history through live performances.

Highlights from the programme include a giant interactive model of Openshaw high street designed by architect, Laura Sanderson – with hands-on activities encouraging “placemakers of tomorrow” to create their vision of future communities by designing their own town centres through giant drawing challenges and model making.

Local children from Armitage C of E and All Saints Primary Schools have also created a series of special workshops where visitors can “transform into engineers” and “rebuild Manchester” from viewpoints around the museum’s site.

Inspiring stories from the city’s community will also be shared during popup events – including Dukinfield Craft Café, who are using craft to explore the impact of the closure of their community swimming pool.

Ruth Murray, who is the Community Partnerships Manager of the City Sparks programme, said they’re “so excited” to be bringing local people together for the events lineup. 

“The Science and Industry Museum is home to ideas that change the world, from Manchester and beyond,” she commented, “and it’s our mission to inspire the next generation of creators, engineers and inventors, so we can’t wait to see our visitors’ ideas about the future of our amazing city.”

As well as each of the activities and workshops guest-hosted by the community, all of the museum’s much-loved exhibitions that are currently running will also be open throughout half term, so if you haven’t had the chance to “travel like a poo” at Operation Ouch!, or take a trip down memory lane and play a whole host of retro games at Power UP, then now’s your chance.

General admission is free, but tickets to the museum’s exhibitions will set you back a couple of pounds and need to be booked in advance, either online or by calling 033 0058 0058.

Read more:

• Mancs can ‘travel like a poo’ at this new Science and Industry Museum exhibition
• Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum celebrates its 40th birthday
• Spooky steam train rides through Greater Manchester are returning this Halloween

Find out more about the October half term events lineup here.

Featured Image – Science Museum Group