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Our Day Out at the Science and Industry Museum Manchester
If you’re looking for a fun, free and genuinely educational day out in Manchester for a fun family day out in the North West with kids, then I’ve got one to add to your list – the Science and Industry Museum. It’s based right in the city centre at Liverpool Road, Manchester M3 4FP, and you can find everything you need to plan your visit on their website here: scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk.
We visited in May, and the museum is currently undergoing an upgrade. From what we could see (and later read on their site), it looks like they’re restoring the historic Power Hall – it’s all part of a major transformation project that’s bringing in new exhibitions, including a big new Wonderlab aimed at 4–10-year-olds. So there’s definitely more to come!
Ground Floor – A Walk Through Manchester’s Past
We began our visit on the ground floor, which is dedicated to Manchester’s industrial heritage. Think big machines, spinning wheels, cotton mills – all the things that helped make Manchester the city it is today. There are loads of places to stop and listen, which both of my two actually enjoyed (miracle!) – especially when the stories came to life with sounds and moving parts. Even as an adult, I learned a great deal.
Second Floor – The Kids’ Favourite!
The second floor was hands down the best bit for my two – Kimi (11) and Eliza (4) were both obsessed. It’s all hands-on science fun: building, making, experimenting. Kimi got absolutely stuck into the shadow puppet station (honestly, he got pretty good!) and loved jumping on the bike that lit up a skeleton to show how your body moves. Eliza couldn’t get enough of lifting the car with Kimi and all the building zones. There was plenty to do for both their ages, which is always a win.
We arrived around 1 pm, and it was pretty busy. However, by the time we left Power Up at 3 pm, it was very quiet. However, it was also a wet day, so many people decided to make the most of it by tagging it on to their day out.
There was also a great show put on by the staff, which the kids absolutely loved and kept them engaged.
Power Up – Worth the Extra Spend
Now, this bit was ticketed, and it did cost extra, but it was SO worth it. “Power Up” is their special gaming exhibition that’s currently running through the May school holidays. It’s basically a huge room filled with video games from every era – from old-school arcade games to the latest VR. Kimi was over the moon to give the VR a try, and so was I; it’s pretty awesome.
Kimi was in his absolute element. He’s a proper little computer geek and loved learning how games have changed over time. He even got to try out a VR headset for the first time – safe to say he was blown away (and so was I when I had a go!).
Eliza, meanwhile, got stuck into the dance games, Lego World and Mario Kart on the Wii.
You do need to stay with your kids if they’re under 16 and book a timed slot, but honestly, we didn’t have to queue for anything, and the whole thing was run really well.
Top tip: By 3 pm, it was extremely quiet upstairs on the 2nd floor – no waiting for anything.
Food, Shop & Facilities
We didn’t buy anything in the shop, but it had some brilliant science-themed gifts and toys that would make great pressies. The café, though, was lovely – modern, cool, and actually reminded me a bit of somewhere you’d find in Spinningfields. Great coffee, relaxed vibes, and decent food.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
Absolutely. Even if you don’t pay for the Power Up tickets, the museum itself is fab and free. There’s loads to do on the second floor, especially, and it’s ideal for a rainy day in Manchester. We teamed it with a visit to the Museum of Illusions – you can read our review of that [here].
If you’re visiting Manchester and looking for a family-friendly stop, this one should be high on your list. It’s educational, entertaining, and – crucially – doesn’t break the bank.
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