Best Science Festivals for the Family
17 July 2023
A science festival is a great opportunity to combine learning with fun and enjoy some time together as a family. Here are our top picks for science festivals in the UK that the whole family will enjoy.
The Big Bang Fair
The Big Bang Fair is a nationwide celebration of science, engineering, and technology designed for young people aged 10-13. It aims to inspire young people to consider careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). The fair comprises over 100 hands-on activities, stage shows, workshops, exhibitions, and shows, delivered in partnership with major UK employers, universities and scientific societies. There is also a competition element, with young people competing in teams to win prizes. The Big Bang Fair takes place annually in June at the NEC Birmingham.
Edinburgh Science Festival
Edinburgh may be better known for its comedy festival, but the science festival held every April is a must visit for those with children. It features over 250 inspiring events, including talks, workshops, demonstrations, and hands-on activities at a range of venues across the city. With interactive exhibitions, street theatre, and shows for all ages, the festival is a great way to learn about science in a fun and engaging way. The festival covers a wide range of topics, from space exploration to forensics, coding and medicine, and is suitable for all ages.
Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition
The Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition takes place every summer in London, showcasing the best of UK science and engineering. The exhibition is free to enter and is open to all ages. It features a variety of hands-on exhibits, interactive demonstrations, and talks from leading scientists. It is an excellent opportunity to learn about the latest scientific research and discoveries and meet the people behind them, plus it’s a fun day out for the whole family.
Northern Ireland Science Festival
Northern Ireland Science Festival is a week-long science, technology, engineering, and mathematics festival. It’s a more recent establishment, having been started in 2014, but it has grown quickly and features over 180 events, including talks, workshops, demonstrations, and shows. Many of the events are aimed at children and there is also a programme of events for schools, which aims to inspire young people to consider careers in STEM.
The British Science Festival
The British Science Festival is one of the world's largest and most prestigious science festivals. It takes place every year in a different city in the UK and features over 400 events, talks, and demonstrations in areas such as medicine, biology, psychology, robotics, oceanography, and much more. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn about cutting-edge research from some of the world's leading scientists and engineers. It’s worth noting that while it’s open to all ages, the science is presented at an adult level, so young children may find some of the talks hard to follow.
Science festivals are a great way to learn about science and technology while spending time with the family. With so many great options to choose from, there's sure to be a science festival that's perfect for your family.