3 min readThe silly season has arrived but before you get swept away by the festive frenzy, why not plan in a spot of time for play?
A day out at Bristol’s surprising science experience, We The Curious, is the perfect way to escape and enjoy being together. Step out of the cold and through the rainbow-coloured entrance to two floors full of things to do. Come with friends or family, toddlers or teenagers. Solve puzzles, climb inside a giant bubble and take a moment or two to marvel at the world around us.
Rainbows, happiness and the nature of time
Downstairs, you’ll find the intriguing Project What If exhibition, which is inspired by questions people have asked and explores some of life’s big mysteries. Have a go at turning invisible, send a message into space, zoom out to the edge of the universe, and take a peek into the TARDIS.
Get creative
Head through the archway to the North Gallery to celebrate the science in our everyday lives. Chat to a robot chef, waggle-dance like a bee, and join in with a colourful experiment all about taste in the Kitchen. Pop into the Greenhouse to make a cosy bug house to take home. Then head upstairs to dream up stories and make up your own characters in the Aardman inspired ‘Animate It’ area.
Good vibrations
The first floor is also home to bubbles, brains, ball-runs and under 8s area ‘Build -it’, as well as topsy-turvey mirrors and musical pipes.
Take a seat in the Studio and make some noise in a new interactive science show presented by the Live Science team. ‘Good Vibrations’ is all about sound, so be ready for a bit of a sing-a-long. Shows run twice a day (weekends and holidays only) and you can just drop in, no need to book a slot.
Star stories and space adventures
Add a Planetarium show to your day visit for some additional fun, escapism and winter sparkle.
If you’re coming with little ones, set off an adventure with the resident friendly alien in ‘Spin the Spaceship’. For kids over 6 and their grown-ups, you can board the spacecraft and choose your mission in ‘Expedition Solar System’. Older children and adults can opt for the mesmerising winter stargazing show, The Story of Stars. Tickets to the presenter-led Planetarium are £4 each in addition to your day entry ticket.
During the Christmas holiday, younger families can also enjoy a festive journey with the big man himself in ‘What Santa Sees’, a short 2D film combining storytelling and astronomy. This one is a drop in with no extra charge, playing towards the end of each day.
Image - We The Curious planetarium. Credit Lee Pullen
Opening times
The science centre is open every day of the holidays apart from Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Tickets and prices
We recommend booking ahead as the centre does become fully booked at peak times. See the We The Curious website for a full list of tickets and prices.
Adult standard ticket (16+): £18.50
Child standard ticket (3+): £12.65
Child 0-2: Free
This content was kindly sponsored by We The Curious.
