Have a full-day family adventure with massive moving dinosaurs, live shows, making activities and more!
Summer 2026 in Newcastle
Looking for a unique day out this summer in Newcastle? Become a Dino Ranger and wander among the North’s biggest collection of moving dinosaurs in The Great Dinosaur Escape.
Take your trail around Life’s award-winning science centre to uncover fascinating dino facts and solve a prehistoric challenge along the way.
With interactive activities at every turn, it’s much more than your average dinosaur exhibition, with plenty of hands-on science fun for all ages.
Summer 2026 highlights
Enjoy a full itinerary of fun things to do in Newcastle’s action-packed science centre, with dinosaurs brought to you by Dinosaurios Mexico!
- Meet a three‑tonne T. rex, a baby Stegosaurus and many more prehistoric beasts in The Great Dinosaur Escape.
- Follow the trail around the centre and hunt down the dinosaur escapees!
- Discover how fossils help us learn about life in the prehistoric times in The Fossil Show
- Enjoy hands-on exhibitions in Lightbox including a giant ‘string’ of light.
- Immerse yourself in the award-winning fulldome show Life: The Greatest Story – is there life elsewhere in the universe?
- Marvel at Gaia – a mesmerising, seven-metre-diameter recreation of Planet Earth.
- Make (and take home) an awesome dinosaur mask in the Making Studios.
- Be a real scientist in the Experiment Zone! (ages 7+)
- Discover the 6-metre tall ‘Big Machine’ and see what sound looks like with our amazing hands-on exhibits in Wow Zone.
- Feel what it’s like to be an astronaut in Space Zone – complete with a mock-up of the International Space Station.
- Nurture your young explorers in Play Zone, a fascinating world where little ones can take the lead and set their imaginations free.
- Visit the giants of the past in our Big Dino Den!
Experience Life for less this summer
You might have heard that the Government is slashing VAT for organisations like ours over the summer holidays and we’re passing the saving onto you.
Take a look around
Life is home to the North's largest planetarium, which hosts a range of exciting shows.
Become a Dino Ranger in The Great Dinosaur Escape
Get crafty in the Making Studios, with a changing programme of hands-on activities.
In Brain Zone, step into an optical illusion and interact with exhibits that challenge the mind!
In the Experiment Zone, carry our practical experiments using real tools and materials.
Let your little ones explore a fascinating world designed just for them in Play Zone.
Watch shows on the Sphere, a digital globe displaying planetary satellite imagery.
Enjoy a family day out with something for everyone.
Included in your ticket
On now
Bump in the Night 360° immersive dome show
Included in science centre ticket
Especially for under 7s, but appeals to all ages
Set aside about 10 minutes
On now
Life: The Greatest Story 360° immersive dome show
Included in science centre ticket
Age 7+ recommendation
Set aside about 20 minutes
On now
Brain Zone
Included in science centre ticket
Age 7+ recommendation
Set aside about 30 minutes
On now
Experiment Zone
Included in science centre ticket
Age 7+ only
Set aside about 30 minutes
On now
Hello World
Included in science centre ticket
Perfect for everyone
Set aside about 30 minutes
On now
Play Zone
Included in science centre ticket
Especially for under-7s
Set aside about 30 minutes
On now
Our Planet Earth – Gaia
Included in science centre ticket
Perfect for everyone
Set aside about 10 minutes
On now
Hands-on Exhibits and LEGO® Wall
Included in science centre ticket
Perfect for everyone
Set aside about 30 minutes
On now
Space Zone
Included in science centre ticket
Perfect for everyone
Set aside about 1 hour
On now
Pop-up Play Stations and Discovery Backpacks
Included in science centre ticket
Especially for under-7s
Set aside about 30 minutes
On now
Wow Zone
Included in science centre ticket
Age 7+ recommendation
Set aside about 45 minutes
On now
The Making Studios
Included in science centre ticket
Age 5+ recommendation
Set aside about 30 minutes
On now
Lightbox
Included in science centre ticket
Age 7+ recommendation
Set aside about 45 minutes
On now
The Fossil Live Science Show
Included in science centre ticket
Age 5+ recommendation
Set aside about 20 minutes
Café and gift shop
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.
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
Getting here
Life is located in Times Square, just a two minute walk form Newcastle Central train and Metro station.
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.
Accessibility
We welcome all our visitors and work hard to make sure our facilities are accessible to everyone.
Contact us
Have a question about the science centre? Our team would be happy to help.
