The Science and Industry Museum blasts off with a cosmic October half-term programme

The Science and Industry Museum is gearing up for a half term of spooky science and intergalactic adventure, with a free programme of hands-on activities taking over the Manchester museum from Sat 24 Oct – Sun 1 Nov.

Inspired by the museum’s world-premiere Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos exhibition, next week’s school holiday programme invites young scientists to investigate the thrilling possibility of life beyond Earth, get creative with alien-inspired crafts and put their engineering skills to the test with a series of space-themed challenges. The museum will also open early at 9am from Mon 26 to Fri 30 Oct, giving families a head start on the day’s activities.

Budding animators aged seven and over can storyboard an extraterrestrial adventure before bringing their characters to life in the Animation Studio, where stop-motion techniques help turn imaginative sketches into miniature sci-fi spectacles. Sessions run throughout the day, although places are limited, so early arrival is recommended.

Elsewhere, younger visitors can design their own alien species while learning how scientists search for signs of life beyond our planet, or join friendly Martians on a galactic treasure hunt around the museum. A giant rocket-building kit provides the materials for aspiring astro-engineers to construct their own interstellar spacecraft, while afternoon gaming sessions challenge visitors to defeat descending aliens in arcade-style battles on the big screen.

There’s also time to settle in for some family-friendly science fiction, with screenings of Pixar’s Lifted and the BBC adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s The Smeds and the Smoos taking place each morning in Revolution Manchester. Screenings run at 10.30am, 11.30am and 12.30pm, offering a welcome breather between the experiments and extraterrestrial encounters.

For families keen to venture further into the cosmos, Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos takes visitors on a mischievous voyage around the Solar System, combining interactive challenges, hands-on experiments and familiar characters from the BBC children’s series. Expect space science with a delightfully quirky twist, alongside fascinating objects and opportunities to investigate the planets, moons and mysteries of our stellar neighbourhood.

Gaming enthusiasts can also add a ticket to Power Up, the museum’s expansive interactive gaming experience, which features more than 150 consoles spanning five decades of video game history. From retro favourites to more recent releases, it provides an opportunity for family members to settle old scores or introduce the new generation to timeless classics.

Outside the exhibitions, visitors can meet Albert Slime-stein, a larger-than-life monster appearing in the museum’s Upper Yard from Sat 24 to Sat 31 Oct as part of Halloween in the City’s MCR Monsters trail. Those visiting on Sat 31 Oct are encouraged to arrive in their best Halloween costumes for an extra dose of seasonal mischief.

With its combination of free creative workshops, interactive science, big-screen entertainment and ticketed exhibitions, the Science and Industry Museum has plenty to occupy curious minds throughout the school holidays.

Plan your visit below.