Science shows and activities for children

Get the whole family excited about science with our spectacular science shows for children and families. 

man in safety glasses and ear defenders stands behind an exploding pumpkin
Image credit: Harry Harper

Family-friendly science shows

Our family events exist to ignite interest in science in people of all ages, through a mix of talks, demonstrations and interactive experiments.

These talks are designed for a younger audience but all ages are welcome to join in and have their curiosity sparked.

Anyone is welcome to attend our family Theatre events, but children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

Children aged 13 and over attending an Ri Theatre event without an accompanying adult will not be directly supervised by the Ri and will leave with the rest of the audience at the end of the show.

Events for ages 6+

These events are designed with the whole family in mind: adults and children, especially those of primary school age.

Discover our events for ages 6+

Events for ages 13+

These events are designed with teenagers and young people in mind, but adults and younger children are welcome to attend.

These events are designed with the whole family in mind: adults and children, especially those of primary school age.

Discover our events for ages 13+

For Your Inspiration events

Our For Your Inspiration events run a three times a year, giving young people aged 13+ the opportunity to explore different areas of science and talk to people working in these fields. 

Enjoy a talks from an experts in the field, followed by a variety of hands-on activities designed to help you get hands-on with the exciting range of careers on offer the different scientific disciplines. 

Whilst these events are designed with young people aged 13+ in mind, parents and carers are also welcome to attend too and are free to Ri Young Members.

Family Fun Days

Enjoy short talks in our famous theatre and get stuck in to experiments, demonstrations, creative activities and making things to take home.

Our Family Fun Days are suitable for children aged 6-12, though older and younger siblings and friends are very welcome.

Booking is recommended, as these events usually sell out.

  • The day is fully flexible, so you can drop in for 30 minutes, or stay for the whole five hours
  • Most people tell us that they find there's enough here to fill around three hours
  • All activities and talks run throughout the day
  • There is sometimes a queue when we first open, so you might find it easier to arrive a little later; you'll still have time to see all the talks and try out all the activities
  • We don't have any childcare facilities, so adults need to stay with their children at all times

School holiday workshops

During school holidays and half-terms we run a series of inspiring hands-on workshops for children and young people.

Based on popular sessions from our L'Oréal Young Scientist Centre and Ri Masterclasses, these events are designed to bring science, mathematics, computing and engineering to life.

Through these workshops we nurture our students' curiosity, inspiring them to continue their interest and engagement into the future.

Holiday workshops

CHRISTMAS LECTURES

Initiated by Michael Faraday in the mid-1820s, the CHRISTMAS LECTURES are still going strong today. They are held annually, are broadcast every year on national television and are the flagship of the Royal Institution.

The Lectures serve present complex scientific issues to children in an informative and entertaining manner, and are well-known for students' participation in demonstrations and experiments.

CHRISTMAS LECTURES

School science shows

We also offer science shows in schools and have a wealth of experience in making science for kids engaging and fun.

School science shows

The Royal Institution is closed 19 March

The Ri is closed this week on Tuesday 19 March.