February Half Term Fun at the Science and Industry Museum

February Half Term Fun at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield, 12–27 February 2022, free entry - Visit now

Are you ready for a science-packed adventure at one of Manchester’s most loved attractions? This February half term, between the dates of 12 and 27 February, head to the Science and Industry Museum for a fun-filled day out with the whole family. Experience a fascinating journey around the human body, discover fun facts and activities about the birth of computing, see brand-new constructions and intricate machinery displays, and enjoy an exciting array of family favourites for people of all ages to enjoy.

Explore the intricate and fascinating science of the human body through a variety of activities, especially created to mark the museum’s most recent exhibition, the world-first Cancer Revolution: Science, innovation and hope. Each day, the museum’s team of Explainers will be on hand at Science Stops throughout the museum, with activities that show different ways we can look inside our bodies, from tiny microscopes and magnets to high-tech cameras. You will also get the chance to make your own model cell badge to take home.

As well as learning all there is to know about our amazing bodies, you can also visit the Textiles Gallery to discover the charming final work of one of Britain’s best loved artists and sculptors, Rowland Emett, the creator of the inventions of ‘Caractacus Potts’ in the classic film, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The display, entitled ‘A Quiet Afternoon in the Cloud Cuckoo Valley’ will present two scenes that tell the story of a journey aboard the imaginary ‘Far Tottering and Oyster Creek Railway.’ These sensational machines will whir to life four times a day at 11:30am, 12pm, 1:30pm and 2pm. Expect to be mesmerised by the turning of cogs, and characters toasting teacakes and diving, while also gaining an understanding about what this fantastical sculpture has in common with the museum’s tremendous textiles machinery.

And if you thought the museum couldn’t get any more exciting, the Revolution Manchester Show returns for ages 5 and up, bringing Mancunian voices and ideas that changed the world to life in a fun and interactive, high-paced experience. The Revolution Manchester Show will will take place daily (11.15am and 1pm) from 12-27 February, and will look at how science met industry in Manchester, and how this has shaped our lives today. Prepare for explosions and flying, and discover the power of steam and how it powered cotton factories and transport on the world’s first passenger and goods railway. Not only this, you will also find out how Manchester continues to push change, from computing to cutting edge scientific research.

Another family favourite includes ‘Experiments’, where you can immerse yourself in all sorts of fun-filled, mind bending activities. Prepare to be blown away as you create a hurricane, gaze into the mirror of infinity, watch your own skeleton ride a bicycle, find out how much household waste can light up a city and measure your reactions against the speed of light. You’ll also be keeling over with excitement as you attempt to lift a mini – do you think you have the strength?

There is no doubt that spring is coming, and at the museum you can step outside and take a breath of fresh air in the Upper Yard, where you can see some of the plants growing and look at the museum’s multi-million pound restoration programme that’s beginning to take shape.

And for the littlest museum visitors, Mini Movers is back. Get ready to roll, clank, whirr and clack your way round the Textiles Gallery, with wooden tools, high vis jackets and hard hats from the museum’s Construction Packs, made especially for the Mini Inventors to explore the museum and construction work taking place at the museum.

For older families aged 8 and up, don’t miss the Cancer Revolution: Science, innovation and hope exhibition, created with support from Cancer Research UK. The exhibition features unseen objects, interactive exhibits, new artist installations, fascinating film and photography and moving and important personal stories that, through fact and science, bring hope and a future to the revolution of cancer care.

And for families aged 12 and up, you’re invited to the Meet Baby demonstration from Wednesday – Friday, which presents the Manchester Small-Scale Experimental Machine, nicknamed ‘Baby’, the first computer to store and run a program. Watch volunteers run the replica Baby and see how far computing has come since 1948.

Tickets for February half term at the Science and Industry Museum can be booked in advance through the museum’s website (just click the ‘Find out more’ button below) or by calling 033 0058 0058.