Science and Industry Museum, Manchester, for families

The Science and Industry Museum in Manchester captures the city’s industrial heritage, but there’s plenty of interactivity to keep children entertained.

Why visit the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester?

The Science and Industry Museum is massive, taking over the former Liverpool Road railway station. Pretty much every child in Greater Manchester will have been here on a school trip at some point, and there is plenty to see.

As the name suggests, the focus is on science and the industrial revolution, with particular focus on inventions and discoveries made in Manchester.

The Revolution Manchester section is the most distinctive part of the Science and Industry Museum, covering everything from the giant textile mills to Factory Records and the discovery of graphene.

Elsewhere, there’s heavy leaning towards transport, with several vintage locomotives on display.

Science and Industry Museum with children

The Science and Industry Museum is vast and sprawling. The sheer size and scope of it means there are likely to be some bits that grip the attention of children – even if they’re not particularly excited by seeing big, preserved machines or learning the backstory of Rolls Royce.

Presentation can be slightly fusty, although a multi-million pound refurbishment project is underway which should change this.

The most reliable hit is the Experiment section, which is hands-on and playful. Here, kids can play with thermal cameras, make music based on their body movements, build bridges and push plenty of buttons.

There are also several talks and special activities, such as the early years story time on weekends.

Science and Industry Museum review: The best bit

The Power Up exhibit, which costs £8 for the day or £15 for an annual pass, is home to more than 150 gaming consoles. This allows kids to throw themselves into half a century of classic video games, from Pacman to Minecraft and Streetfighter to Just Dance.

It’s only open on weekdays during the school holidays, but Power Up is open year-round on weekends.

Infants, juniors or secondary?

The programme of early years activities makes the Science and Industry Museum more appealing for younger children than you might expect. The interactive sections will appeal to junior age children, while the drier, historical narrative aspects are a better fit for the more eager-to-learn cohort in secondary school.

Science and Industry Museum entry prices

Entrance to the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester is free. Which is very handy if you’re trying to occupy kids for the day without spending much money.

Prices were last checked and updated on 14 November 2024.

Full day, half day or a couple of hours?

There’s plenty to see and do at the Science and Industry Museum, which means it can easily fill a half day. You might be able to stretch that to a full day, but tiredness and dwindling interest are likely to take over unless you shell out for Power Up as well.

Attractions near the Science and Industry Museum

Other attractions in Manchester that can be combined with a visit to Cadbury World include:

Nearby cities

Other cities within a 90 minute drive of the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester include Stoke-on-Trent, Preston, Lancaster, Liverpool, Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Sheffield and Chester.

Is it open on Mondays?

The Science and Industry Museum in Manchester is open daily. However, if you’re coming on a teacher training day, you should be aware that a lot of the activities and special events – such as Power Up – only take place on weekends and in the school holidays.