This February half-term, visitors to the Science Museum can enjoy a fun-filled day out with inspiring activities for every age group. Learn about the world of aviation from technicians, get a taste of Versailles’ splendour in our exhibition, and ignite your curiosity in our iconic free galleries.
Visitors can meet aviation professionals to learn about the science and engineering behind aviation in our Careers Live activities with the Civil Aviation Authority and the National Grid in an activity taking place in Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery, an interactive free gallery which celebrates the vital but unseen role of technicians. Visitors can also walk underneath space rockets, see a piece of the Moon and the Soyuz spacecraft which safely brought Tim Peake back to Earth in Exploring Space.
Families can try over 160 consoles and hundreds of video games in Power Up, see science in action in Wonderlab, or have a sleepover in our galleries during Astronights. Visitors to Versailles: Science and Splendour can also discover how science was used as a tool of power at the French palace in our illuminating exhibition.
In Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries, visitors can see an artwork now on display called Silent Stories. These poignant glass sculptures by Katharine Dowson explore the profound lived experience of people with head or neck cancer. It joins the museum’s art collection and other artworks on free public display in the Medicine galleries.
The museum is open 10.00-18.00, seven days a week. To pre-book a free ticket to the Science Museum, please visit this link. For further details about other galleries and exhibitions, please visit our See and Do page.
EVENTS
Careers Live
18– 21 February 2025
Drop-in sessions, 11.00 – 16.00
Age: recommended for 7-15 years old
We’re teaming up with the Civil Aviation Authority and the National Grid for exciting free family activities over February half-term in Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery exploring the wonderful world of aviation – i.e. how flying is made possible – and how power is transmitted across the UK! You’ll learn about how to load an aircraft, how different shaped aircraft work, plus there’ll be exciting virtual reality experiences all around aviation and the UK’s power grid.
Meet industry professionals and find out more about their fascinating jobs © Science Museum Group; A representative from the Civil Aviation Authority running a free family activity © Civil Aviation Authority.
Space Lates
Thursday 6 March 2025
18.30 – 22.00
Standard tickets: free; VIP tickets: £12
Age: 18+
Science Museum Lates are adults-only, after-hours theme nights. At Space Lates prepare to boldly go where few have been before as we examine the latest innovations in space technology, explore the most exciting discoveries of cutting-edge space research and delve into the detail of the most exciting space missions underway today. Discover an evening of talks, demos, interactive workshops, food and drink—not forgetting, of course, our famous silent disco in the Exploring Space gallery.
Visitors at the Science Museum Lates © Science Museum Group
Contact + pre-recorded introduction
Thursday 6 March
19.00 – 21.00
Tickets: £10
Oscar winners Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughey star in this gripping story of a SETI radio astronomer who receives the first extraterrestrial radio signal ever picked up on Earth. As the world powers scramble to decipher the message and decide upon a course of action, she vies to fulfil her dream of becoming the first human being to make contact with alien beings.
Astronights
14 March, 16 May, 20 June and 11 July 2025
Standard tickets: £75; VIP tickets: £115
Age: 7-11
Younger campers can experience a sleepover like no other at the Science Museum. Astronights includes exciting science shows and hands-on workshops, as well as the chance to see the museum after dark. This year’s programme is supported by official sponsor TEMPUR®, who will be gifting all campers a travel pillow.
L-R: Visitors at a science demonstration at Astronights © Science Museum Group; Visitors in Exploring Space at Astronights © Science Museum Group.
TICKETED EXPERIENCES
Versailles: Science and Splendour
Until 21 April 2025
Ticketed, from £12 (Ages 11 and under go free)
Versailles: Science and Splendour unveils the fascinating stories of science at Versailles, exploring how scientific knowledge became a tool of power to enhance France’s prestige. Visitors are invited to discover the unexpected, yet vitally important, role of science at the French royal court through spectacular scientific objects and artworks. The exhibition showcases over 100 objects, from the everyday to the extravagant, many of which have never before been displayed in the UK, such as Louis XV’s rhinoceros and one of the most complex and expensive watches in the world, made for Marie Antoinette.
L-R: Visitor looking at Louis XV’s rhinoceros in Versailles: Science and Splendour © Science Museum Group; Visitors in Versailles: Science and Splendour © Science Museum Group
Power Up
Ticketed, daily pass: £12, annual pass: £18
Age: 5+
Hands-on gaming experience Power Up allows visitors to discover the evolution of gaming from the past five decades – from classics such as Pong and Mario Kart to the latest PlayStation and Xbox – while discovering the science and history behind gaming’s most iconic developments.
With an annual pass, visitors can receive unlimited access to over 160 consoles all year long and battle it out with multiplayer Super Smash Bros or battle against up to eight players in Pac-Man Battle Royale Championship DX. Annual pass gift vouchers are available to purchase, perfect for the gamer who has everything.
L – R: Visitors enjoying a game in Power Up at the Science Museum © Science Museum Group.
IMAX: The Ronson Theatre
Ticketed, from £10
The Science Museum’s IMAX is one of only two screens in Europe to bring together IMAX 70mm film and next-generation IMAX with Laser. Visitors can catch Antarctica 3D (U), featuring footage from the filmmakers of Planet Earth II; A Beautiful Planet 3D (U) which showcases the tasks of crew onboard the International Space Station; Under the Sea 3D (U), following an expedition investigating the mysteries of oceans and the threats they face from climate change; and Ocean Odyssey 3D (U), which embarks on a journey with a baby humpback whale to uncover the secret of ocean currents.
Wonderlab
Ticketed, from £15 (Ages 3 and under go free)
Recommended ages: 7–14
Visitors can explore Wonderlab, the museum’s popular interactive gallery, be amazed by live science shows and enjoy demonstrations led by a talented team of Explainers. The gallery’s hands-on activities will inspire visitors to engage with the science all around them, through exhibits including a giant friction slide, live lightning demonstrations, a large rotating model of the solar system and more. Gift vouchers for this unmissable interactive experience are available and make a great present for the young scientists in your life.
L – R: A young visitor is reflected inside the Infinity Boxes in Wonderlab © Science Museum Group; Visitors play with Flowing Mist exhibit in Wonderlab © Science Museum Group
FREE DISPLAYS AND GALLERIES
Exploring Space
Free
From suspended rockets to satellites, probes to landers, this gallery showcases some out-of-this world objects. Visitors can see the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft that safely carried astronaut Tim Peake back from the International Space Station; a real piece of the Moon; and a full-sized replica of Eagle—the lander that took astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin to the Moon in 1969.
Exploring Space at the Science Museum © Science Museum Group
Silent Stories – Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries
Free display
Silent Stories, a powerful sculptural artwork created by artist Katharine Dowson, is now on display in Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries. It explores the profound experience of living with cancer, from diagnosis to treatment to life after the disease, and features five glass busts cast from radiotherapy masks of patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer. It is accompanied by an original soundscape of voices from participating individuals – a woven poem of experiences, light and dark, fear and hope, immersing the visitor in the deeply personal yet universal journey of cancer treatment.
Silent Stories artwork by Katharine Dowson in Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries © Science Museum Group
Energy Revolution: The Adani Green Gallery
Free
Energy Revolution: The Adani Green Energy Gallery invites visitors to explore how the world can generate and use energy more sustainably to urgently decarbonise global energy systems and limit the impacts of climate change. Looking at the past, present and future of these systems, this free gallery displays both recognisable and surprising objects alongside interactive exhibits to highlight how we can journey together to a more sustainable, low carbon future.
L-R: Gallery view of Energy Revolution with browsing visitors © Science Museum Group; Visitors in Energy Revolution looking at a parabolic trough solar mirror © Science Museum Group.
Engineers
Free
Engineers uncovers the creative work of engineers which changes our everyday lives. The gallery showcases winners of the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering alongside some of the most exciting engineering innovations of recent years. Visitors can take a closer look at iconic objects such as the first digital camera and the cutting-edge CMR ‘Versius’ surgical robot arm, as well as learn more about the remarkable people who invented them.
L – R: Visitors browsing the Engineers gallery at the Science Museum © Science Museum Group; Model robot drummer with drum kit made of Lego by Dr Lara Suzuki, on display in the Engineers gallery at the Science Museum © Science Museum Group.
Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery
Free
Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery is a unique interactive gallery for 11–16-year-olds which brings the overlooked but crucial world of technicians to life. Visitors can explore a variety of technical roles and try one-of-a-kind interactive exhibits which mimic the tasks technicians perform every day. Step into a film set recreated from Marvel Studios’ Black Panther to learn how technicians create blockbuster movies; try your hand at creating lifesaving drugs as a pharmacy technician; or even control a robotic arm to discover the role of advanced manufacturing technicians.
L – R: Visitors try out the lighting technician interactive in Shuri’s Lab at Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery © Science Museum Group; A visitor tries out their welding skills in Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery © Science Museum Group; Energy Networks area in Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery at the Science Museum © Science Museum Group
Who Am I?
Free
Who Am I? explores fundamental questions about what makes you, you. Explore the science of who you are through intriguing objects, artworks and hands-on exhibits.
Pattern Pod
Walk-up, free
Ages: Under 8
This stimulating interactive gallery encourages children to develop science skills using play in a fascinating multi-sensory area. From sound to time patterns, they can explore robot trails, water ripples, textured walls and more.
The Garden
Walk-up, free
Ages: 3-6
An exciting interactive space created especially for children aged 3-6 and their parents and carers. Inquisitive children can explore construction, water, light and sound.
Highlights Tours
Free activity, drop-in
Dates and times vary
Join 30-minute walking tours with the Science Museum’s experienced volunteers and discover the hidden stories behind the museum’s most iconic objects and galleries. Tours are available for different galleries, with information available daily on our website or at the information desk.
