Science centres for kids: hands-on days out

Press the buttons, pull the levers, make a mess. Science centres are made for curious kids, and they’re brilliant on rainy days.

By the HappyDaysOut editorial team · 22 August 2026 · Updated 14 October 2026 · 1 min read

Scout’s tip

Let kids lead. The exhibit they spend 20 minutes on is the win, even if you don’t see everything.

UK

Eureka! The National Children’s Museum, Halifax: built for under-11s.
Science Museum, London: free general admission, with some paid interactive galleries.
National Museum of Scotland: free, with hands-on science and tech galleries.

Last updated: 14 October 2026

What is a good science museum for toddlers?

Look for dedicated early-years areas, such as those at Eureka! in Halifax, or the children’s area at Cité des Sciences in Paris.