Family Fun Day

Family fun day: imaginative inventions

A fun day of interactive science for the whole family!

Image credit: Edward Moore

From the ancient Greeks to the modern day, inventions have shaped the way society has grown and the world has progressed, with many of these important developments invented right here at the Ri. Get hands on with a whole host of exciting activites, experiments and demonstrations exploring the world of inventions showcasing flight, motors, and much more. 

This event runs from 11am – 4pm and is packed full of talks, demonstrations and hands on science. It is sure to be an unforgettable day of science-y fun!

This event is now sold out. Some returned tickets may be available on the door, but this decision will only be made at 1pm on the day.

Talks

Andrew Hanson, Saskia Burke and Katie Obee: Cool science!

Show times: 11:30am and 1:45pm; 30 mins

Scientists from the National Physical Laboratory will use some amazing demonstrations using liquid nitrogen (it boils at -196 °C) to talk about inventions past, present and future. Expect lots of sub zero science, a few explosions and lots of cool fun.

The Ri Demonstrations team: The greatest invention in the world... ever! 

Show times: 12:30pm and 2:45pm; 30 mins 

At the Royal Institution we’ve been obsessed with discovering and inventing stuff for the last 200 years. We’ve discovered chemical elements, won Nobel prizes and blown a fair few things up along the way. From inventing the modern electric world, to using x-rays to see through atoms, we’ve constantly been at the forefront of technological advances, using demonstrations to help everyone understand what’s going on. Join us, as we delve into this fire-filled past, pulling out our most interesting, most loved and most explosive demonstrations as we search for the Greatest Invention in the World… Ever!

Activities

The Ri's education team will be cooking up their usual amazing mix of exciting hands on activities, helping you explore a whole host of amazing inventions, with lots for you to make and take home with you. We also will be joined by friends from these wonderful organisations:

BEARS: improving hearing through virtual reality

Can virtual reality help young people with hearing implants to hear things better in noisy places? The BEARS team from Imperial College London are looking to find out! Come and try out the virtual reality games created by a team of scientists, doctors and young people with implants who can talk about their experiences, how the games work, how they were made, and how they can help people who need it.



Horiba

Horiba create a huge range of scientific machines which are used in labs around the world, and were featured in this year's CHRISTMAS LECTURES. Join scientists from Horiba to explore their amazing high-tech inventions, and see how they are used by scientists to answer some of life's most important questions.

Mr Pankaj Chandak

Pankaj is a transplant surgeon at Kings College London, who uses 3D printing to help revolutionise and improve the transplant process. Come and talk to him about his amazing work, and see and touch some 3D printed kidneys!

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL)

The NPL provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology, which underpins almost every corner of your life. Join scientists from the NPL to explore the amazing world of measurement and some of the surprising ways measurement affects your life. 

About Family Fun Days

Family Fun Days are suitable for children aged 7–12, though older and younger siblings are very welcome. All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, and those aged 4 and above need a ticket to attend.

Entrance for Ri Young Members is free, but you do need to pre-book your free ticket.

All activities and talks run throughout the day, giving you plenty of time to see all the talks and try out all the activities. There is sometimes a queue when we first open, so you might find it easier to arrive a little later. Most people stay for about two hours, but you're welcome to stay as long as you like.

Our Café will be open, and will be selling hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and snacks. There is also a picnic room, if you are bringing your own lunch with you and a quiet break room.

By booking to attend events at the Royal Institution, you confirm that you have read and accept the Ri's event terms and conditions. You also agree to abide by our code of conduct, and help to create a great experience for yourself and your fellow participants. 

Covid guidelines

Face masks are no longer mandatory and wearing one in our Theatre and at other Ri events is at your discretion, however please do not attend the Ri if you are displaying Covid symptoms or, if you have tested, the result remains positive. Thank you for respecting other people and their choices, and for helping us keep all of our visitors and staff safe and well.

Accessibility

The event will take place on the first floor and there is step-free access from the street via lift.

The closest underground station is Green Park, which is step-free.

There is space at floor level in the theatre for wheelchair users.

Seating is usually unreserved for our events. If you and your group require seating reservations, please do let us know by emailing us at events@ri.ac.uk, and we’ll be more than happy to help.

Carers can receive a free ticket to an event by emailing events@ri.ac.uk.

Our theatre is equipped with an Audio Induction Loop. 

Event terms and conditions