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Family fun this May

Enjoy a great day out at Newcastle’s Life Science Centre

Hands-on lightbox exhibition.

It’s our 25th birthday month, so there’s plenty to enjoy and explore.

Planning a day out over the May bank holiday or half term? Life is packed with hands-on exhibits, activities and shows for all ages.

From Saturday 24 May, Lightbox opens with an amazing collection of interactive exhibits where light, colour and sound come to life – just in time for the school holidays.

To celebrate our birthday, save 25% off tickets for May half-term! Simply use the online code LIFE25 to redeem the discount.

Valid 24 May – 1 June only. Cannot be redeemed with any other promotions or on existing bookings. 

Family Playing in Life science centre Wow Zone, having hands on fun with the big machine.

May highlights

  • Visitors can make and take home a celebration Jack-in-the-box in our Making Studios, using a mix of materials from Life to create a pop-up surprise.
  • Back in the Planetarium for May, Earth Defenders! is an 80s-style animated show featuring a team of satellites working together to protect the planet. It returns to celebrate the launch of the new BIOMASS satellite.
  • In Experiment Zone, visitors become scientists. With goggles and lab coats on, they explore five sealed boxes, using their senses, magnets and comparisons to figure out what might be inside.
  • Feel what it’s like to be an astronaut in Space Zone – complete with a mock-up of the International Space Station.
  • There’s also the chance to race pulley chairs, explore sound through hands-on exhibits, and try out our 9m tall, big machine in Wow Zone.
  • Little ones can explore, build and play in our Play Zone, designed especially for under-7s.
  • Explore the story of Life in a next exhibition to celebrate our 25th Birthday”

Take a look around

Included in your ticket

Little Bear is a popular planetarium show for under-7s inside the science centre.
On now
Little Bear: 360° immersive dome show
Included in science centre ticket
Especially for under-7s
Set aside about 10 minutes
Young visitor enjoying Life Science Centre's trap door exhibit.
On now
Brain Zone
Included in science centre ticket
Age 7+ recommendation
Set aside about 30 minutes
Mother And son completing hands-on science activity in Experiment Zone.
On now
Experiment Zone
Included in science centre ticket
Age 7+ only
Set aside about 30 minutes
Father And Daughter enjoying the colour wall in Hello World
On now
Hello World
Included in science centre ticket
Perfect for everyone
Set aside about 30 minutes
Toddler climbing in soft play area inside science centre.
On now
Play Zone
Included in science centre ticket
Especially for under-7s
Set aside about 30 minutes
two-visitors-sat-underneath-Gaia-a-large-replica-of-Earth-at-the-entrance-of-the-science-centre
On now
Our Planet Earth – Gaia
Included in science centre ticket
Perfect for everyone
Set aside about 10 minutes
Life Science Centre visitor wearing a coloured hat and pulling a face in the photo booth.
On now
Creativity Zone
Included in science centre ticket
Perfect for everyone
Set aside about 30 minutes
Girl Stood Underneath Astronaut Model With Her Face Projected Onto The Screen.
On now
Space Zone
Included in science centre ticket
Perfect for everyone
Set aside about 1 hour
Two boys working together to assemble a rocket using large bricks in Life Science Centre's Space Zone.
On now
Pop-up Play Stations and Discovery Backpacks
Included in science centre ticket
Especially for under-7s
Set aside about 30 minutes
Test your strength and lift yourself up to see the science centre from a different viewpoint on our pulley chairs.
On now
Wow Zone
Included in science centre ticket
Age 7+ recommendation
Set aside about 45 minutes
Making Studios enjoying craft making activity.
On now
The Making Studios
Included in science centre ticket
Age 5+ recommendation
Set aside about 30 minutes
Science Now Hub! Materials
On now
Science Now! Hub: Growing our Future
Included in science centre ticket
Age 7+ recommendation
Set aside about 20 minutes
Life Science Centre Explainer Completing A Demonstration Using A Sparkler Attached To A Drill In The Live Science Theatre.
On now
Top 10 Live Science Show
Included in science centre ticket
Age 5+ recommendation
Set aside about 20 minutes
Father holding up child to can in Infinity Room, part of Life Science Centre in Newcastle.
On now
‘Every Can Counts’ Infinity Room
Included in science centre ticket
Perfect for everyone
Until 31 October 2025
Family in Life Science Centre planetarium sitting down to watch new Earth Defenders show.
On now
Earth Defenders! 360° immersive dome show
Included in science centre ticket
Age 7+ recommendation
Set aside about 25 minutes
Family of all ages in Life science centre's planetarium watching a 'Just Look Up'.
On now
Sky Tonight Hercules: Planetarium Show
Included in science centre ticket
Age 7+ recommendation
Set aside about 20 minutes
Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II with Linda Conlon, Life Science Centre's Chief Executive.
Coming soon
Story of Life
Included in science centre ticket
Age 7+ recommendation
Set aside about 15 minutes

Café and gift shop

Family enjoying a hot drink in Times Square Cafe Bar at Life Science Centre.

Catering for hungry bellies

Food and drink can be purchased from Times Square Café Bar. Alternatively, you are more than welcome to bring your own packed lunch.

Two children in Life Science Centre's gift shop looking at boxed actvity for sale with father.

Take home a memento of your vist

A visit to Life wouldn’t be complete without exploring our selection of science kits, toys, books, souvenirs and gifts to suit all ages and budgets

Family approaching the entrance of Life Science Centre for a fun day out

Getting here

Life is located in Times Square, just a two minute walk form Newcastle Central train and Metro station.

Family entering the science centre underneath Gaia, a large replica of Earth.

Science centre map

View our science centre map to get a feel for what to expect.

Group visits

Life is a great place for groups of all sizes to spend a day and take part in some fun science activities! If you’re bringing 20 people or more, it’s best to book in advance.

Mother and child in Life's creativity zone. The child is wearing ear defenders.

Accessibility

We welcome all our visitors and work hard to make sure our facilities are accessible to everyone.