Life Science Centre

• Visit the Life Science Centre for all the best educational activities with a fun, interactive twist.
• Be sure to check out the educational exhibits and live experiments that take place, sure to entertain the curious, budding scientists and youngsters alike.
• Don't miss out on the North's biggest planetarium for your chance to see stars, planets and constellations from down here on tiny earth.
• Get active in the special area for kids under 7, for fun, interactive and hands-on play, make friends and more.

For a great family day out, look no further than the Life Science Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, home to exhibitions, ground-breaking research, events, theatre performances and only the largest planetarium in the North of England! This award-winning Science Centre is just brimming with fascinating exhibitions, activities and events for all ages, whether you're a science enthusiast or just curious. As the programme is regularly changing, there’s always a new reason to visit, with something new to check out. This educational charity raises money to achieve charitable objectives, in order to get people from all walks or life, and if all ages, into science, switched on and ready to learn about science, life and more at this great north museum.

Since opening, the Science Museum Newcastle has welcomed an average of 300,000 people every year to its science centre, including families, adults and school groups and more. There has been groundbreaking research into regenerative medicine, plus genetics has taken place onsite and made headlines internationally, as well as hundreds of thousands of people benefitting from the NHS clinics at Life.

So if you're wondering what to do in Newcastle, get to the Life Centre Newcastle, get down to the Centre to learn so much while having a blast. With loads of the weird world of science, plus the uses and even learning how to conduct your own experiments, your kids will be enthralled, eager to come back.  At the Life Science Centre, you're encouraged to get hands on and curious, stimulating the explorer inside you, ready to have a blast playing, learning and more.

Journey to the North’s biggest planetarium, a family favourite visitor attraction, and quite an education as it recognises planets and distant constellations, which makes for a fascinating trip. Along with scientific experiments, plus a groovy 4D motion, ride, and Young Explorers Zone for under 7s, your little ones will be stimulated, as education is at the heart of everything the Centre for Life does, their brains will be well and truly supersized! For more great learning days out full of fun in Newcastle upon Tyne, check out the Discovery Museum, home to three floors worth of history, plus aircraft stimulators and more.

Discover more about the cosmos in Space Zone, where your little ones can find out about how space technology is already being used in our everyday lives and what the scientists and engineers of the North East of England are doing to help to shape the future of space exploration. You will have an out-of-this-world experience in the immersive Space Zone where your kids will have a blast, potentially stimulating the kinaesthetic learning required to teach! The  younger visitors will love the show, Naughty Monsters Explore the Planets in the planetarium and enjoy the event as they learn through watching and performance.

Marvel at the magnificent LEGO brick models which are located in the Brick Dinos, an exhibition with real bite for the kids to enjoy. ​​​​​​​Revel in the new family-friendly live show, Spooky Science, an intimate, learning space for your kids to explore. Your little ones will be entertained endlessly, and maybe even in the mood for festive Halloween themed activities

Kids will love creating their own spooky cardboard creature as they take the arm of a robot, the body of a monster and mash them together, maybe even becoming Frankenstein. Your little ones can find out how to create life as their newly made beast turns into a shadow puppet or a GIF that they can then share with their friends.​​​​​​​ There's plenty of more activities like this, often changing to fit the seasons so whatever time you come, they'll be something for you. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled when walking around the science centre, as you will be able to spot the skeletons on the Skeleton Trail! How many funny bone names can you remember? They might even have some names that sound familiar if you know some scientists that are famous.

Don't miss out on the Life Science Museum's events that take place, like each winter at Life Science Centre, your little ones can have a go on the ice on their outdoor ice rink inTimes Square and celebrate Christmas in the best way possible! For more great Newcastle experiences, be sure to check out Seven Stories, which offers unique exhibitions, lively events and playful activities that bring children's books to life, perfect for book worms, the curious and newbies.

So, if you're ready to make and fly rockets, present the weather forecast, have your photo superimposed onto a spaceman, get in the ISS Space Station visit Mission Control, and even guide a space rover, then visit the Life Museum now.

What to know before you go

• The Life Science Museum opening times are Monday to Saturday 10:00 - 18:00, Sunday 11.00 - 18:00.
• When you're feeling peckish, take a trip to Times Square Café, which is serving all your favourite snacks and delicious food every day. Either sit in and recharge or take it out for a little snack, you can choose from a variety of food and drinks, along with kid friendly meals and more. You can use the seating here to eat your own food, too. There are high chairs for your little ones, and bottle warming facilities, too.
• There are toilets, baby changing facilities, and accessible toilets on all floors.
• The site is largely accessible, pushchairs and wheelchairs have no issues navigating the site as there is level access, with lifts to all floors.
• There is level access, with lifts to all floors, plus pushchair and wheelchair friendly cafés.

Getting there

• The Life Science Centre is located at Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear.
• If travelling via public transport, the Newcastle Central train and metro station is just a two minute walk from away,  via Neville Street. There are also buses and cabs by the train station.
• If travelling via car, look out for Centre for Life and Times Square Car Park signage to direct you. Drive via St James' Boulevard.
• Times Square Car Park is just around the corner. Alternatively, look here to find the nearest NCP car park.