Light Lab at the Science and Industry Museum

Shekina Rose, Families Editor

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Light Lab

14 December 2024-4 January 2025

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Boy watching hands making shadow puppets on a screen The Light Lab at the Science and Industry Museum
science and Industry Museum
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Brighten up your winter at the Light Lab at the Science and Industry Museum.

Step into a world of wonder and creativity, where science and discovery meet family fun. Packed with free activities and experiments, this is the perfect spot for kids of all ages to explore light, colour and sound.

Enjoy hands-on experiments that allow you to bend, block, and manipulate light. Test your gaming skills in the laser maze, ogle at your reflection in the hall of distorted mirrors, and make your shadow come to life with dancing shapes. 

Explore the mysteries of the night sky. Learn why stars twinkle and create your own glow-in-the-dark headbands and wristbands. After this, wearing your new light-up accessories, light up the dance floor in the neon rave room.

The Light Lab is full of fun ways to learn and play, whether thats solving challenges or enjoying interactive experiences. Plan your visit soon – the Light Lab is open daily until 4 January, with the exception of 24, 25, 26 December, and 1 January.

Once you’ve finished in the Light Lab, there’s so much more to do at the museum to keep everyone entertained and fill up your day. Visit the Experiment gallery, featuring a whole host of amazing interactive activities, including finding out if you’re strong enough to lift a whole car with one hand, playing with shadows, and making music with your body.

Gamers of the family will love Power Up, which allows you explore over 150 different consoles and play the very best video games from the last five decades in the ultimate gaming experience.

And maybe you might want to find out about ideas that changed the world. Head to the Revolution Manchester gallery and explore Manchester’s industrial innovations, scientific discoveries and ideas that started life in Manchester and went on to change the world. Next up, see magnificent machines and find out about cotton in the Textiles Gallery.

All that learning and enjoyment only means one thing – hungry! Last stop, head to a great cafe in the museum with a delicious selection of hot and cold drinks, lunch and snacks.

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