Hands-on families zone

The zone is packed with games, stories, crafts, quizzes, demos and experiments. Alongside scientists, artists and engineers, you can build rockets, extract DNA, transform transport, investigate animals and make masterpieces.

Look down a microscope, pick up a crayon, create a reaction, or roll the dice - there’s lots for families to enjoy and discover together in the Hands-On families zone.

Investigate insects and plants up close, and share ways we can help our natural world. Discover how animals adapt to climate change, how morse code can help badgers or how bacteria can turn plastic waste into new materials.

As you play and build, shrink yourself down and explore the tiny things our world is made of, from crystals to DNA to microbes to molecules. Investigate energy made from water and the sun, and imagine the future transport it could power.

Roll up, roll up at the Family stage to enjoy the National History Museum's dinosaur quiz, the Science Museum’s tales of Tree-mendous Adventures, or join the Royal College of Music to hear stories of the Singing Suffragette, as well as demos and experiments – the scientists and engineers will need your help!

There are food stalls and green space, so it’s great for a pit stop too. All performances on the family stage are BSL interpreted.

Visitor information

This is a drop in event.

To attend the Festival, please make sure to register for free. Registering is the only way to receive the latest Festival updates, a first-look at the full programme, and opportunities to book onto popular talks, creative workshops and tours.

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