Games, science and history collide at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum this winter

Explore hands-on exhibits and fascinating events perfect for all ages this winter at the Science and Industry Museum.

Written by Thom Bamford
Last updated 24 seconds ago
Attractions, City of Manchester, Community, Featured, Sponsored

Looking for the perfect winter activity that blends fun, education, and quality time with loved ones?

The Science and Industry Museum has you covered with an exciting lineup of hands-on exhibits, nostalgic gaming and fascinating events guaranteed to delight visitors of all ages.

Whether you’re uncovering the secrets of light, reliving decades of video game history, or stepping back in time to explore Manchester’s role as ‘Cottonopolis,’ this museum offers something for everyone.

It’s the ultimate destination for sparking curiosity, creating memories, and spending a top day out with family and friends. Discover the magic of science, the joy of play and the power of history—all under one roof. Your perfect winter day out starts here!

What’s on at the Science and Industry Museum?

Light Lab

This winter, the Light Lab invites visitors of all ages to get hands-on with light, colour, and sound.

Dive into illuminating experiments and discover the secrets of light through playful challenges. Learn how to bend, block, and move light, and make your shadow dance in the hall of distorted mirrors.

For the competitive spirits, the laser maze games will keep you on your toes.

Children will love creating glow-in-the-dark accessories, while families can groove together in the unique rave room.

For the curious, there’s a chance to uncover the mysteries of the night sky and find out what really makes stars twinkle.

More Info:

Dates: 14th December 2024 – 4th January 2025 (Closed 24th, 25th, 26th December, and 1st January)
Location: Special Exhibitions Gallery, Level -1, New Warehouse
Cost: Free
Recommended for: All ages (note: low lighting throughout).

Power Up

Summer Holidays Activities at the Science & Industry Museum, Manchester – 11th August 2023

Gamers, assemble! Power Up is back, offering the chance to play over 150 different consoles spanning five decades of video game history. Whether you’re nostalgic for Pong and Pacman or ready to show off your moves in Just Dance, this is an unmissable celebration of gaming.

The event features everything from the classic Atari 2600 to cutting-edge virtual reality. Rediscover your childhood favourites, explore games made right here in Manchester, and challenge friends and family to multiplayer showdowns. History buffs can also explore a timeline of gaming consoles, showcasing the technological leaps that shaped the way we play today.

More Info:

Dates: Saturdays and Sundays (term time), daily during school holidays
Location: Temporary Exhibition Gallery, Level 1, New Warehouse
Cost: £8 (Day Pass), £15 (Annual Pass). Family discounts are available; under 3s go free. Gift Vouchers available
Recommended for: Ages 5+ (under 16s must be accompanied by a paying adult).

EXPERIMENT

Experiment is the perfect gallery for families looking to explore science together. This hands-on space is packed with fun activities, from building sturdy bridges and creating music with your body to testing your strength by lifting a car with one hand.

You can see through walls, play songs on musical pipes, or get creative with glow-in-the-dark art. Marvel at the thermal camera in the Heat Vision zone or tell stories on the shadow wall. Whether you’re flexing your superpowers or getting crafty, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained.

Experiment is a free, permanent gallery located on Level 1 of the New Warehouse and is open daily. It’s designed for visitors of all ages, so bring the whole family along!

More Info

Dates: Open daily
Location: Level 1, New Warehouse
Cost: Free
Recommended for: All ages

Textiles Gallery

Step back in time and explore how Manchester became the epicentre of the world’s cotton industry. Known as ‘Cottonopolis,’ the city’s textile trade shaped lives and landscapes both locally and globally.

The Textiles Gallery paints a vivid picture of this history, showcasing innovative machines like the original Richard Arkwright Water Frame alongside surprising everyday items, such as child-sized clogs from the Charter Street Ragged School.

The exhibition doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, highlighting how Manchester’s wealth was built on the exploitation of enslaved African people on US plantations. Visitors can learn about these connections through first-hand accounts, including testimony from African American anti-slavery campaigner Frederick Douglass.

For younger visitors, there’s an activity trail packed with games and challenges, as well as hands-on stations where they can weave, build towers, or even spin like a bobbin.

More Info:

Dates: Open daily
Location: Level 0, New Warehouse
Cost: Free
Recommended for: All ages

Revolution Manchester

Step into the heart of Manchester’s groundbreaking industrial legacy and uncover the stories behind its world-changing innovations. Revolution Manchester is an exciting gallery that brings to life the engineering marvels, creative breakthroughs, and scientific discoveries that have made this city a global powerhouse.

Marvel at one of the first Rolls-Royce motorcars, learn about the iconic Lancaster bomber designed by local engineering genius Roy Chadwick, and celebrate the sustainable travel efforts of Paralympic legend Dame Sarah Storey.

Explore how Manchester’s cultural pioneers—from journalists like Madeline Linford to music legends like those from Factory Records—have inspired the world with their creativity. Dive into stories of diverse performers and discover how this city continues to be a hub of free-thinking innovation.

Meet Baby, a working replica of the Manchester Small-Scale Experimental Machine, the ancestor of modern computing, and find out how sticky tape helped researchers isolate the revolutionary material graphene.

Whether you’re exploring with family or satisfying your curiosity, Revolution Manchester offers a fascinating journey through the city’s remarkable contributions to science, industry, and culture.

More Info:

Dates: Open daily
Location: Level 0, New Warehouse
Cost: Free
Recommended for: Ages 5 and older

This winter, the Science and Industry Museum offers a variety of unique, engaging experiences for visitors of all interests. From interactive exhibits to thought-provoking talks and hands-on fun, it’s the perfect destination for a day out with family or friends. Plan your visit today!

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift?

Treat your loved ones to an unforgettable experience at the Science and Industry Museum.

Give the gift of gaming with a Power Up pass. Try out over 150 games consoles and play the very best video games from the past five decades in the ultimate gaming experience. Day Passes, Annual Passes and Gift Vouchers are available. You can find out more by clicking here

Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You

Get ready for a brand-new adventure super-sized science as you plunge headfirst into the incredible world of our senses in Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You.

This sense-sational exhibition will open on 14 February 2025. Tickets and gift vouchers are available to book now by clicking here

You can find out more on their website by clicking here

This article was last updated 24 seconds ago.
It was first published on 19 December 2024 and is subject to be updated from time to time. Please refresh or return to see the latest version.

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