Science museums have changed enormously from the days when a family visit meant walking quietly past glass cabinets while children tried not to touch anything. Many of the UK's best science museums are now highly interactive attractions where children are actively encouraged to experiment, build, play, press buttons and discover how things work for themselves.
For families, that makes a science museum an excellent choice for a day out. They combine entertainment with education, work particularly well when the British weather isn't cooperating and often have activities suitable for several different age groups. Children can explore everything from space travel and the human body to engineering, electricity, computers, transport and robotics without the experience feeling like another day at school.
Some are also free to enter, although particular galleries, exhibitions and experiences may have an additional charge.
Here are some of the best science museums and science discovery centres for kids in the UK.
Science Museum, London
The Science Museum in South Kensington is one of the obvious places to start and remains one of Britain's biggest family science attractions.
Its collections cover an enormous range of subjects, including space exploration, medicine, mathematics, engineering, communications, energy and technology. That variety makes it particularly useful for families with children of different ages because everyone can usually find something that interests them.
One of the biggest attractions for families is Wonderlab, the museum's interactive gallery. It is designed around hands-on scientific experiences and demonstrations rather than simply looking at objects. The museum also has Power Up, an interactive gaming experience exploring decades of video games and consoles. General museum admission is free, although attractions such as Wonderlab and Power Up require separate tickets.
Younger children can enjoy the interactive elements, while older children and teenagers can explore subjects in considerably greater depth. This makes the Science Museum particularly good if your family includes both primary-school children and teenagers.
Allow plenty of time. Trying to see the entire museum in a couple of hours can make the visit feel rushed. Families are often better choosing several areas that particularly interest their children and exploring those properly.
Best for: Families wanting a huge variety of science and technology in one location.
Science and Industry Museum, Manchester
Manchester's Science and Industry Museum combines science with the city's extraordinary industrial and engineering history.
For children who like machines, inventions, engineering and discovering how things work, there is plenty to explore. The museum occupies a historically important site associated with the development of passenger railways and tells the story of Manchester's role in science, technology and industry.
The Experiment gallery is particularly suitable for families because it allows children to explore science through interactive exhibits. Families can experiment with different scientific ideas rather than simply reading information panels. Other displays explore subjects such as textiles, computing and Manchester's history of innovation.
The museum also runs family activities and demonstrations, while Power Up offers hands-on access to more than 150 games consoles from across several decades on selected days. Some activities are ticketed even though general admission to the museum is free.
One thing families should check before travelling is which galleries are currently available. The museum has been undergoing a major restoration programme, meaning different parts of the historic site can be affected by building work.
Best for: Engineering, inventions, industrial history and hands-on experiments.
National Space Centre, Leicester
If your children are fascinated by rockets, astronauts, planets or the possibility of travelling to Mars, Leicester's National Space Centre deserves a place high on your family day-out list.
Unlike a general science museum, the National Space Centre concentrates on space and astronomy, allowing families to spend an entire visit exploring one subject in much greater depth.
Children can learn about rockets, satellites, astronauts, planets and the challenges involved in exploring beyond Earth. The combination of genuine space-related objects, interactive displays and large-scale exhibits helps make some extremely complicated scientific ideas understandable for younger visitors.
The centre's distinctive rocket tower is one of its most recognisable features, while its planetarium experiences can make children feel much closer to the stars than they might expect from a day out in Leicester.
Space is one of those subjects that can work particularly well across different age groups. A five-year-old may simply be amazed by rockets and astronauts, while an older child can begin understanding gravity, propulsion, planetary science and the technology needed to survive in space.
Families should allow several hours rather than treating the National Space Centre as a quick stop.
Best for: Space-obsessed children and future astronauts.
We The Curious, Bristol
We The Curious in Bristol takes an exploratory approach to science, encouraging children to ask questions and investigate ideas rather than simply being given the answers.
That approach works particularly well for curious children who constantly ask "why?"
Interactive exhibits allow families to explore science through play and experimentation, while the centre covers subjects that connect science with everyday life and the world around us.
One of the strengths of a science centre like We The Curious is that children don't necessarily feel as though they are being taught. They can experiment first and discover the science behind what they are doing along the way.
This makes it particularly suitable for primary-school-aged children, although younger visitors and adults can enjoy many of the experiences too.
Its Bristol location also makes it easy to combine with other family attractions around the city, although there is enough to do inside to make the science centre the main destination for your day.
Best for: Curious children who enjoy experimenting and asking questions.
Glasgow Science Centre
Glasgow Science Centre is another excellent choice for families looking for a highly interactive science day out.
Rather than concentrating on one scientific subject, the centre introduces children to a wide variety of ideas through interactive exhibits, demonstrations and experiences.
This broad approach is useful for families because children can move between different subjects whenever something captures their attention. One minute they might be learning about the human body and the next exploring physics, technology or space.
Science centres can be particularly effective for children who learn through doing rather than reading. Being able to physically interact with an exhibit can turn an abstract concept into something understandable.
Glasgow Science Centre is therefore a strong option for families visiting Scotland and can easily occupy a substantial part of the day.
Best for: Hands-on science and families visiting Glasgow or central Scotland.
Techniquest, Cardiff
Techniquest in Cardiff is one of Wales's best-known science discovery centres and has been introducing families to hands-on science for decades.
The emphasis is firmly on participation. Instead of expecting children to spend the entire visit looking at displays, Techniquest encourages them to experiment with scientific principles for themselves.
This approach can work particularly well with primary-school-aged children who may have limited patience for traditional museums but are happy to spend hours experimenting with interactive exhibits.
The experience covers a broad range of scientific ideas, making it useful even when children don't already have a particular scientific interest.
Parents can become involved too. In fact, interactive science centres are often most enjoyable when adults experiment alongside their children rather than simply watching them.
Located in Cardiff Bay, Techniquest can also form part of a wider family day in the area.
Best for: Hands-on science in Wales and primary-school children.
Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum
Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum combines traditional museum collections with interactive science experiences, making it another strong all-round option.
The museum explores science and Birmingham's industrial heritage, with subjects ranging from engineering and transport to the natural world and the human body.
This mixture is useful for families whose children have very different interests. A child fascinated by machines can find something completely different from a sibling who is more interested in biology or nature.
Thinktank also has a planetarium, providing an opportunity to introduce children to astronomy and space without requiring a separate trip to a dedicated space attraction.
For younger visitors, the ability to interact and play is particularly important. Families don't have to move through the museum in a strict order, so you can concentrate on whichever sections are generating the most enthusiasm.
Best for: Families in the Midlands looking for a broad science experience.
Eureka! The National Children's Museum, Halifax
Eureka! in Halifax is slightly different from a traditional science museum because it is specifically designed around children.
That makes it particularly appealing to families with younger kids.
Rather than presenting children with long explanations, Eureka! uses play, role-playing and interactive exhibits to help them explore the human body, the world around them and how everyday things work.
The experience is deliberately child-centred, so younger visitors don't feel as though they have been taken to an adult museum with a small children's section added afterwards.
This makes Eureka! a particularly good introduction to museums for preschool and primary-school children.
Families who enjoy Eureka!'s approach may also be interested in Eureka! Science + Discovery in the Wirral, another interactive attraction from the organisation. Eureka! Science + Discovery was named the highest-rated UK family attraction in a 2026 Which? survey cited by the organisation, with interactive experiences and accessibility highlighted among its strengths.
Best for: Younger children who learn through imaginative and interactive play.
Eureka! Science + Discovery, Wirral
Eureka! Science + Discovery in Wallasey on the Wirral is designed around science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics, with children encouraged to explore through hands-on experiences.
It is particularly worth considering for families in Liverpool, Merseyside, Cheshire and the wider North West.
Like the original Eureka! in Halifax, the emphasis isn't on children quietly observing displays. The experience is designed around participation and discovery.
That makes it useful for children who find traditional museums difficult to engage with but will happily investigate an interactive exhibit.
The attraction also places considerable emphasis on accessibility and inclusive family experiences.
Best for: Interactive science for families in North West England.
Centre for Life, Newcastle
Newcastle's Life Science Centre is another excellent destination for children interested in science.
Its programme changes throughout the year, which means families can potentially have quite different experiences on repeat visits.
Science centres like this are particularly good at connecting scientific ideas with experiences children can actually see and understand. Live demonstrations, experiments and interactive activities can make complicated subjects considerably more approachable.
Depending on the current programme, families may encounter activities covering space, biology, physics, technology and other STEM subjects.
Because temporary exhibitions and activities can change, it is worth checking what's running before deciding when to visit.
Best for: Families in North East England and children who enjoy changing interactive exhibitions.
Jodrell Bank, Cheshire
Jodrell Bank is a particularly exciting option for children interested in astronomy.
The famous Lovell Telescope immediately gives the visit a sense of scale that is difficult to reproduce inside a conventional museum.
Families can discover how scientists study the universe using radio astronomy and learn about stars, galaxies and the technology used to investigate deep space.
Jodrell Bank can be particularly rewarding for slightly older children who are beginning to understand astronomy beyond simply identifying planets.
The combination of science, engineering and a genuine working scientific site gives the experience a different atmosphere from a conventional science museum.
There is also outdoor space, making it a good choice when families want a mixture of indoor learning and time outside.
Best for: Astronomy, telescopes and children fascinated by the universe.
Which UK Science Museum Is Best for Younger Children?
For preschoolers and younger primary-school children, highly interactive attractions are usually the easiest places to start.
Eureka! in Halifax is particularly well suited to younger children because the experience has been designed around children's play and discovery.
Interactive centres such as Techniquest, We The Curious and Eureka! Science + Discovery can also work extremely well because children are encouraged to touch and experiment.
At larger museums such as London's Science Museum, look specifically for galleries and activities aimed at younger age groups rather than trying to explore the entire building.
Young children don't need to understand all of the science behind an exhibit for the experience to be valuable. Simply discovering that science can involve experimenting, asking questions and having fun is a great starting point.
Which Science Museums Are Best for Older Children?
Older primary-school children and teenagers may appreciate attractions where they can explore subjects in greater depth.
The Science Museum in London is particularly strong because its enormous collections allow children to move beyond simple interactive exhibits into engineering, medicine, energy, computing and technology. Its family offering specifically includes activities for both 6–11 and 12–16 age groups.
The National Space Centre is another strong choice because older children can engage with the real science behind space exploration.
Jodrell Bank can appeal to children interested in physics and astronomy, while Manchester's Science and Industry Museum is particularly interesting for engineering, computing and industrial technology.
The best choice will ultimately depend more on your child's interests than their exact age.
How to Make the Most of a Science Museum Visit
Before travelling, check the museum's website for opening times, admission arrangements and temporary exhibitions. Interactive galleries and planetarium shows may require separate tickets even when general museum admission is free.
Don't try to see everything.
Large science museums can contain far more than a family can realistically explore in one day. Allow your children to spend longer on exhibits they genuinely enjoy rather than constantly moving them towards the next gallery.
For younger children, regular breaks are important. A couple of hours of highly stimulating interactive exhibits can be surprisingly tiring.
It is also worth checking whether the museum has picnic areas or allows families to bring food. Taking snacks and drinks can make a full-day visit considerably easier and cheaper.
Most importantly, allow children to lead some of the exploration. If they suddenly become fascinated by rockets, robots, electricity or the human body, give them time to investigate.
Science Museums Make Brilliant Family Days Out
The best children's science museums don't simply tell children how the world works. They encourage them to discover it.
A child might launch a virtual rocket, experiment with forces, discover how their body works, play a historic video game or stand beneath an enormous telescope. They may arrive without any particular interest in science and leave talking about becoming an engineer, astronaut or inventor.
For parents, science museums also have another major advantage: many provide enough activities for several hours while being largely protected from Britain's unpredictable weather.
From London's enormous Science Museum to specialist destinations such as the National Space Centre and Jodrell Bank, there are excellent science-focused family days out across England, Scotland and Wales.
Choose the attraction that best matches your children's ages and interests, check what's running before travelling and don't feel pressured to see everything in a single visit.
Sometimes the best science museum day is the one where children spend far longer than expected at a single experiment because they've discovered something they genuinely want to understand.