Little Mancs can “explore ideas that change the world” at one of Manchester’s most popular museums this summer.
Keen to keep the kids both entertained and educated at the same time now that schools across Greater Manchester are out for summer?
With a couple of weeks of the school holidays still left to make the most of, and many parents, carers and guardians understandably starting to run out of ideas, the Science and Industry Museum is encouraging locals to head on down and experience the best of its jam-packed events lineup packed full of exciting exhibitions, hands-on activities, and so much more.
And the best part is, the majority of the programme is free to get involved with.
There’s loads of free events and activities happening at the Science and Industry Museum this summer / Credit: Drew Forsyth (via Science Museum Group)
The city centre-based museum is inviting “scientists, innovators, and engineers of the future” to delve deeper into the science behind space, machines, and our bodies, as well as discover some of the museum’s special spaces during its current large-scale repair project.
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From now right up until 1 September, the museum promises there’ll be something new for you to discover every single day.
A brand-new science show will give visitors a chance to explore the hidden worlds uncovered by incredible engineers, while families can find out what goes on inside an engine, use metal detectors to explore a special sand pit, or examine the marvellous machines that help us look inside our bodies.
Budding engineers can also get hands-on with special activities inspired by plans and blueprints of collections from the museum’s archive.
Special ‘Hidden Spaces’ tours will take you behind the scenes, while demonstrations of the museum’s historic textile machinery will bring to life Manchester’s industrial past like never before.
Then, in a bid to mark Manchester‘s annual Pride Festival, visitors will be able to join in with some special Pride-themed activities that celebrate lots of different individual stories from 19 to 25 August, which all lead up to the museum taking part in the Manchester Pride parade through the city centre on Saturday 24 August.
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All of the museum’s free events and exhibitions can be booked online / Credit: Drew Forsyth (via Science Museum Group)
And if course, the school holidays are the perfect time to visit the museum’s two currently-running and massively popular exhibitions, Power Up, and the newest addition, Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine, if you haven’t had the chance to do so already.
All of the museum’s free events and exhibitions can be booked online ahead of time, as well as on the day of your visit too.
More information can be found on the Science and Industry Museum website here.
Featured Image – Drew Forsyth (via Science Museum Group)
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Top Manchester attraction Museum of Illusions has been transformed by spooky Halloween surprises
Daisy Jackson
A spooky new Halloween experience has arrived at Manchester’s Museum of Illusions, and it’s perfect for half term.
The top attraction is getting a spooky makeover, with strange surprises, mind-bending tricks and plenty of photo opportunities taking over this October.
Running until Sunday 1 November, Weird Wonders is transforming some of the museum’s best-loved exhibits into a Halloween-inspired experience, making it a fun option for families, friends and anyone looking to get into the spooky spirit.
And with the whole experience taking place indoors on Market Street, it’s a dream option for those unpredictable Manchester autumn days when the weather has other plans, and a perfect spot to fill a day of the half term holidays..
Five of the attraction’s most popular exhibits are getting a Halloween transformation, giving visitors even more reasons to question what they’re seeing, strike a pose and get some seriously strange photos along the way.
Among the spooky highlights is the Bone Throne, where visitors can take their seat on a suitably eerie chair that warps your perspective, while the Spider Clone Table promises a creepy twist on one of the museum’s classic illusions.
There’s also the Web of Faces, where a giant kaleidoscope multiplies your face (now with added cobwebs), alongside the Echo Cave, offering another opportunity to step into a world where your senses can be deceived.
And the museum’s Hollow Faces experience features 3D-printed faces inspired by Einstein, Frankenstein and Count Dracula – bringing together science, classic horror and a little optical trickery.
Halloween at the Museum of Illusions. Credit: The Manc Group
There’s more to Weird Wonders than spooky photo opportunities, too.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Halloween without a few treats. Every child ticket holder will receive a complimentary brain puzzle from the Illusion Shop, plus a sweet treat to take home at the end of their visit.
Adults haven’t been forgotten either, with a free treat available when purchasing two adult tickets.
Weird Wonders is running at the Museum of Illusions Manchester from 3 October to 1 November 2026.
Tickets and further information are available HERE.
Science and Industry Museum announces programme of FREE ‘spooktacular’ October half term activities
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s best museums has announced a programme of free ‘spooktacular science’ activities for October half term.
With half term right around the corner and Halloween not far off either, it won’t be long before parents and carers are looking for ways to keep little Mancs occupied… luckily, the Science and Industry Museum has got you covered.
With only a few weeks to go until schools in Greater Manchester 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.
Families are being told to get ready for ‘spooktacular’ science, hands-on activities, and loads of interactive fun, all inspired by the popular Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos exhibition.
You can storyboard and then animate your own extra-terrestrial character inside the Animation Studio, let your imagination run wild and design your own alien species, or even go on a galactic treasure hunt around the museum and build your own interstellar spaceship with a giant rocket building kit.
Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum has announced a programme of free ‘spooktacular’ October half term activities / Credit: Science Museum Group
In the mornings, you can take a break from your cosmic adventures and enjoy family-friendly sci-fi screenings in Revolution Manchester.
You’ll also then be able to put your skills to the test with classic space-themed games on the big screen every day in the afternoon.
And don’t forget, this half term is your only chance to meet Albert Slime-stein – a larger-than-life monster who’ll be popping up in the Upper Yard as part of the annual Halloween in the City MCR Monsters trail.
If you’re planning on visiting on actual Halloween day itself, then the museum is inviting you to come dressed in your best costume so you can get properly stuck into all the spooky fun.
The unveiling of the October half term events programme comes after the museum also announced that its popular adults-only ‘after hours’ event would be returning for one night only later this month, also with a Halloween twist.
Museum After Hours is happening on Thursday 29 October from 7pm-10pm, with tickets setting you back £12 each or £6 for concessions. Find out more here.
Science and Industry Museum’s October Half Term Programme is running from 24 October to 1 November. Entry to the museum (except the exhibitions) is free of charge, but it’s advised that you book your admission in advance, as it’s expected to be busier than normal.
Emily Sergeant -
14th August 2024 
