Today we were invited along to Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium for a special Christmas treat. Advertised as a Christmas experience like no other, we were promised a live science show inspired by the classic children’s tale, Jack and the Beanstalk; an elf-led activity; Christmas planetarium show and a chance to meet Santa.
Santa & the Elves Christmas Experience at Winchester Science Centre
The Santa and the Elves Christmas Experience unites the magic of Christmas with the excitement of science, promising a fun-filled family day out during the festive season. The experience comprises two main events, an hour-long Santa and science experience (live science show, elf-led children’s activity and chance to meet Santa), and a 30-minute Reindeer Round-up in Space planetarium show.
The Winchester Science Centre is only an hour from where we live and it was lovely to get out of London for the day. We found the Science Centre easily and thanks to an early start arrived with time to look around before the live science show started. We had never visited the WSC before but both children love science and I knew they would enjoy the experience.
Science Show
At our allotted time we entered a room where the children sat on benches at the front with us adults at the back. The science show was inspired by and featured Jack and the Beanstalk and lasted for around 25 minutes. It was very fun and interactive, investigating the different forces us, the audience, could try and use to help Jack reach the very top of his beanstalk and steal the golden egg from the giant. There were leaf blowers and helium with a few loud bangs thrown in too. The children loved it.
Elf-led children’s activity and chance to meet Santa
After the show we were divided into two groups and taken to the elf-led crafty workshop. All the children received an elf-themed craft kit and met Santa. We were able to pose for a family photo with him and he gave each child a wrapped gift. We adults enjoyed a mince pie whilst the children crafted. This was a nice touch and we liked the chance to sit down after the show.
We were able to stop for lunch (there’s a lovely cafe at WSC) and explore the outside play area before heading back inside for the planetarium show.
Reindeer Round-up in Space planetarium show
Reindeer Round-up in Space is a fun presenter-led planetarium show which takes the audience on a journey through the Solar System in search of Rudolph and his furry friends to help save Christmas. It’s been ages since I’ve been to a planetarium and I was looking forward to the show. It didn’t quite have the same fun atmosphere of the Science Show but the children loved their reclining seats and the show.
We had a fun day out at the WSC. There were so many hands-on exhibits to try and we all enjoyed trying them out and learning new things. We particularly enjoyed the Science Show and would recommend a trip to the WSC this December for an alternative Christmas experience for the whole family.
Throughout December, visitors can also experience their favourite Christmas films in the exciting setting of the planetarium. Winchester Science Centre’s Kids’ Christmas Cinema programme includes the likes of Elf, The Polar Express, The Muppet Christmas Carol and Arthur Christmas. The festive film screenings can be enjoyed for as little as £2 per person with General Admission; film-only tickets cost £5.
Santa and the Elves Christmas Experience sessions run at 10:30, 12:00, 13:30, 15:00 and 16:30 on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-16 December and daily from 20-24 December. To find out more about Christmas events and book tickets visit: www.winchestersciencecentre.org
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