At the age of almost 11, Isaac isn’t the biggest fan of Christmas days out where it is all about visiting Santa, so we have been on the look out for the perfect day out for all ages to enjoy.
When we heard Santa and his elves were heading to Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium with pantomime favourite Jack and the Beanstalk, I knew the kids were going to love it as the experience unites the magic of Christmas with the excitement of science.
The experience comprises two main events, an hour-long Santa and science experience and a 30-minute Reindeer Round-up in Space planetarium show.
We arrived at Winchester Science Centre in time for opening and found lots of exciting new exhibits and some old favourites to try.
There was also an Elf Workstation set up on the top floor where the kids could indulge in some science and crafting.
They got make snow globes, snowflakes and Santa’s sleigh.
Each activity had a different level of difficulty, with the sleigh and snow globes the easier of the two.
With the sleigh, we had to make sure it could fly using an air pump before decorating it, which was lots of fun.
It was then time to take our creations away and head off to the Planetarium to see Reindeer Round-up in Space.
The 30 minute show is a fun presenter-led planetarium show starring Widow Twanky who accidentally sends some of Santa’s reindeer and the audience on a journey into space. Expect lots of pantomime jokes and a bit of science as you travel through the Solar System in search of Rudolph and his furry friends to help save Christmas.
The shows are nicely spaced out, so you can enjoy the museum whilst you are waiting for the next one and we were pleasantly surprised to find out that downstairs has had a space-themed make-over, into Explorer:Space.
Explorer:Space takes visitors on an epic journey through the Solar System, which encompasses 20 fantastic modular exhibits, covering everything from meteorites to stardust, robots to coding, and atmospheric pressure to human space flight!
It was then time for the live science show, inspired by and featuring Jack and the Beanstalk and an elf called Inquisitive!
The show investigates different forces as we tried to help Jack reach the very top of his beanstalk, by “giving science a try”. It was fun and fast paced and aimed perfectly at the young audience, with plenty of fun bangs and dry ice effects as we worked out the best way to get us up the beanstalk to find the golden eggs.
From the show, we then entered an elf-led workshop where we got to open a present there and then, which we could then start decorating and building.
Whilst we were busy working on our Elf Grass, Father Christmas appeared and every child was given the chance to sit in the giant’s chair, chat and have a photo with him as well as being given a wrapped gift to take away.
We had a brilliant day at Winchester Science Centre, it really does make for a memorable day out which captures children’s imagination and sparks their curiosity in science.
For younger visitors, they have a Storytime with Santa experience where they can join Santa and Magnificent, Santa’s Master Elf, for a Christmas story read by Santa himself and a live science demonstration from Magnificent. This fun and relaxed group experience lasts approximately 45 minutes and includes a gift for children.
Throughout December, visitors can also experience their favourite Christmas films in the exciting setting of the planetarium. Winchester Science Centre’s Kids’ Christmas Cinema programme includes the likes of Elf, The Polar Express, The Muppet Christmas Carol and Arthur Christmas. The festive film screenings can be enjoyed for as little as £2 per person with General Admission; film-only tickets cost £5.
Santa and the Elves Christmas Experience sessions run at 10:30, 12:00, 13:30, 15:00 and 16:30 on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-16 December and daily from 20-24 December. Tickets are £14 per person and must be purchased alongside General Admission; book online at least three days in advance and save 25% on admission. Annual Pass holders save 10%. The Santa and the Elves Christmas Experience is a fundraising event for Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium, registered charity № 294582.
Storytime with Santa sessions take place on 7 and 14 December at 10:30 and 11:30. Tickets are £7.50 per person and must be purchased alongside General Admission; Annual Pass holders save 10%. Storytime with Santa is a fundraising event for Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium, registered charity № 294582.
To find out more about Christmas events and book tickets visit: www.winchestersciencecentre.org
Disclaimer: We were invited along to visit Winchester Science Centre for the purpose of a review. All thoughts and opinions are our own.
What an incredible hands on space. I can see this inspiring so many future scientists.
That does look like a very educational and fun way to celebrate Christmas with a difference.
Sounds like a great day out with kids! I’m sure my son will enjoy going there too!
What a fab place. Love how interactive this is xx
This looks like so much fun! I think my little ones will be too young so this is on the to do list for sure!
This looks like a great place to take the kids. There are so many different activities that they were doing. I love the idea.
This looks like a great place to take the kids. By the looks of it, they have so many activities to do. I love it.
This looks like such a great place for kids. It looks like there are a ton of activities. I love it.
I used to love visiting hands-on spaces as a kid – and this one is no exception! I bet this was an enjoyable learning experience.
It is great to have such event especially for children, I like the Elf worksation where children and learn some experients through Science and crafting. Exploring space also look like a fun thing to do.
Gosh that looks like a lot of fun! My kind of educational day out, for sure! My kids would LOVE this!
I was in Winchester this weekend but I didn’t even work out where the science centre was. It sounds like a fun Christmassy trip x
This place looks like so much fun! My son absolutely loves science museums and learning new things. The holidays make it even more fun.
I see you had good time! Also kids 🙂
This looks like a fun day out for the kids! What a great place to visit.
I do remember doing science experiments and activities like these when I was young! It’s so interesting and fun to learn
Oh I love this! What a fun, festive experience but a great way to get little ones excited about science too! So cool!
This looks so much fun and so interactive. I love the concentration on those faces!
Winchester Science Centre looks an amazing place to take the kids. It looks like there are many activities that kids can do. I will take my kids to the science center this weekend.
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