The Science and Industry Museum heads to space with an action-packed Easter programme

From astronaut training and mission patch design to immersive moonquakes and interplanetary dance parties, the Science and Industry Museum’s Easter programme promises a inter-stellar springtime extravaganza of family fun and cosmic curiosity.

Running from Sat 28 Mar to Sun 19 Apr, the museum celebrates the upcoming half term with a host of free activities alongside a brand-new blockbuster exhibition, where intrepid explorers can blast off from Manchester and discover a universe of scientific wonder.

Across the museum, absorbing space-themed activities offer budding astronauts the chance to test their coordination, balance and dexterity through hands-on navigation challenges. Families can also explore what life is like aboard the International Space Station, take in spectacular views of Earth from orbit and design their own astronaut mission patch to decorate a spacesuit.

Adventurous visitors can also get a taste of space during a brand-new live show exploring the strange and surprising foods astronauts eat while in orbit, with the opportunity to sample an assortment space-inspired snacks.

The holiday activities are inspired by the museum’s latest blockbuster exhibition, Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos, an out-of-this-world odyssey that brings the much-loved Horrible Science show to life as a large-scale immersive experience for the first time.

The journey begins in the lair of evil genius Dr. Big Brain, who searches for recruits to help him achieve galactic domination. Explorers then plunge through a wormhole and land aboard the International Space Station, where they discover how astronauts survive and work in orbit.

Upon reaching the Moon, visitors can explore dramatic lunar landscapes, touch a real fragment of Moon rock that fell to Earth as a meteorite and attempt to stay upright during a simulated moonquake. A giant space rubbish dump reveals objects left behind by historic missions, while young engineers can launch their own rockets.

Elsewhere, the glowing Sizzling Sun zone explores the star at the centre of our Solar System, while Weird Worlds reveals the secrets of distant planets and celestial objects. Travellers can then pause on the sensory Planet Quark, gaze at a glittering starscape in the Cosy Crater and venture into Dreadful Deep Space to investigate black holes, exoplanets and the mind-bending physics behind spaghettification. The adventure ends on Disco Planet, where every day finishes with an alien dance party.

Designed to engage all the senses, the exhibition invites visitors to see, hear, smell and feel the magic of our strange and wonderful universe. Other highlights include astronaut Tim Peake’s headset from his 2015 mission, displayed publicly for the first time, alongside a life-size model of the Beagle 2 Mars lander. Visitors can hear first-hand stories from astronauts who have lived in orbit, smell scientists’ recreation of the Moon’s dusty scent and experience the dramatic temperature swings found on Mercury.

Book tickets (£10, family discounts available) for Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos HERE.

Visitors can refuel between adventures as the museum expands its catering offer for the holiday period, opening its first-floor bistro alongside the café to serve hot food. The museum shop also stocks Horrible Science-themed toys, experiments and games, along with real space food to take home.

Find out more about the Science and Industry Museum’s Easter programme and plan your visit HERE.