Families looking for things to do in London this May half-term can enjoy a packed line-up of free and ticketed activities, immersive shows and hands-on experiences at the Science Museum, with plenty to keep all ages entertained, come rain or shine.
New for May half-term, the Science Museum will be launching the interactive family show Bubble Explorers, a live show designed especially for young children and their families to discover the science and maths behind bubbles.
A wide programme of free activities this half-term includes live science demonstrations in The Space Show, guided journeys through the Solar System in Space on a Sphere, and the popular Space Toilet Tales, featuring a replica space toilet.
Space fans can also spot a piece of British history on display: Tuesday 12 May marks 35 years since Helen Sharman became the first British astronaut to travel to space. Helen’s spacesuit can be seen for free in the museum’s Space gallery.
Visitors planning ahead can look forward to the Great Exhibition Road Festival, a free weekend celebrating science and the arts taking place in South Kensington, Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 June 2026. Led by Imperial College London, expect hands-on workshops, live demonstrations, and interactive exhibits, with activities for all ages held at the Science Museum.
Early bookers can save money with advanced booking for popular paid experiences, including interactive experiments in Wonderlab, gaming in Power Up, and IMAX films exploring everything from dinosaur adventures to journeys under the sea.
The Science Museum is open seven days a week, with free entry to the museum. Visitors are encouraged to book a ticket in advance via this link: www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/welcome
Bubble Explorers
- Saturday 23 May – Sunday 12 July 2026
- Daily, various times
- Ticketed, £4.50, ages 2 and under go free. Recommended for ages 7 and under
Join the Science Museum’s Explainers for brand-new show Bubble Explorers, an interactive live show designed especially for young children and their families. Watch bubbles drift, stretch and shimmer as little ones learn how they form, move and change. Filled with hands-on moments, surprising demonstrations, and plenty of chances to join in, this live show introduces early years’ audiences to science through curiosity and participation.
The Space Show
- Saturday 23 May – Sunday 31 May 2026
- Daily, various times
- Ticketed, Free
A live, high-energy show packed with space-inspired science demonstrations. Expect explosive experiments and interactive moments inspired by Moon missions and landings on the lunar surface.
Space on a Sphere
- Daily, various times
- Free
The Science Museum’s Explainers, the friendly science experts, guide visitors through the solar system with help from the Space on a Sphere light display. Choose from two different talks this May half-term: a tour of the planets or a deep dive into the Moon.
Space Toilet Tales
- Daily, various times
- Free
Take a seat on a replica space toilet and find out how astronauts go to the loo in space in this fun, fact-filled demo led by the museum’s Explainers.
Hungry Space Shape Monsters
- Saturday 23 May – Sunday 31 May 2026
- Daily, 11.00-12.30
- Free
Younger visitors are invited to create their own hungry space monster in this free playful drop-in workshop, inspired by the shapes and patterns found around the museum.
Great Exhibition Road Festival
- Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 June 2026
- 12.00 – 18.00
- Free
Led by Imperial College London, this free festival transforms South Kensington for the weekend, with interactive science and arts activities in the Science Museum and neighbouring venues.
Inspired by the legacy of the Great Exhibition of 1851, visitors can enjoy workshops, live demonstrations, talks, performances, and exhibits for all ages. Discover themed zones including the NextGen Zone at the Science Museum, where young people can learn about cutting-edge technology, as well as creative workshops exploring the art and science of printing and the opportunity to curate a mini exhibition.
Water Pantanal Fire
- Until 31 May 2026
- Free, ticketed
Don’t miss this powerful photography exhibition exploring the beauty and fragility of the Pantanal, the world’s largest wetland. Featuring more than 60 striking images by Lalo de Almeida and Luciano Candisani, it captures extraordinary wildlife alongside the growing threats of deforestation, intensive farming and climate change.
Star Trek Warp Trail
- Free, ticketed
Celebrate 60 years of Star Trek by following this free trail across the museum, exploring the links between the iconic science fiction franchise and real-world innovation. Discover objects seen on screen, including costumes worn by Simon Pegg and Sir Patrick Stewart. End the trail by sitting in the U.S.S. Discovery Captain’s Chair and exploring the exclusive 60th anniversary retail range in the museum shop.
Space
- Free
Explore the story of space through iconic objects and inspiring missions. Highlights include the Soyuz descent module that flew Tim Peake to space and back, Helen Sharman’s spacesuit, and the Apollo 10 command module which orbited the Moon in 1969.
Future of Food
- Until 1 September 2026
- Free, ticketed. Suitable for ages 7+
Discover how science is transforming how we grow, cook and eat food in this interactive exhibition. Featuring over 100 thought-provoking objects, from a 3,500-year-old loaf of bread to the first beef steak grown outside a cow, Future of Food illustrates the fascinating stories behind what ends up on our plate.
For a Change of Pace: Gallery Highlights
- Free
Visitors can enjoy some of the museum’s more relaxed galleries, away from the hustle and bustle. The striking Mathematics: The Winton Gallery explores the maths behind some of humanity’s greatest innovations, while the awe-inspiring Flight gallery transports visitors through the history and heroes of aviation. In Science City 1550–1800: The Linbury Gallery visitors can come face-to-face with fascinating objects that tell the story of how London became a world-leading centre of science.
Star Trek at 60 Film Season
- Until Thursday 18 June 2026
- Ticketed, from £14
Celebrate 60 years of Star Trek with cinema screenings at the Science Museum’s IMAX theatre. Highlights this May include the powerful final installment of the original Star Trek film series, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (PG), as well as films from The Next Generation era, including Star Trek Generations (PG), Star Trek: Insurrection (PG) and Star Trek: Nemesis (PG).
IMAX: The Ronson Theatre
- Ticketed, £14, book early for lower prices
Catch an incredible documentary about our planet on one of the biggest screens in Europe. Films showing this May include T.Rex 3D (PG); A Beautiful Planet 3D (U); and Under the Sea 3D (U).
Wonderlab
- Ticketed: Day pass £17, book early for cheaper prices; Annual pass £24
- Recommended ages: 7–14
This interactive children’s gallery brings science to life through hands-on exhibits and live science demonstrations. Visitors can experience everything from an infinity mirror to live lightning shows, as well as daily chemistry demonstrations by the museum’s team of Explainers.
Power Up
- Ticketed: Day pass £14, book early for cheaper prices; Annual pass £21
- Age: 5+
Step into a hands-on gaming experience featuring the best consoles and games from the past 50 years. From Pong and Pac-Man to Minecraft and Mario, visitors can play, compete and explore everything from retro favourites to virtual reality.
Astronights
- 15 May, 19 June, 10 July, 14 November, 5 December 2026
- Standard tickets: £80; VIP tickets: £120
- Age: 7-11
A sleepover like no other, visitors can explore the Science Museum after dark and sleep among its iconic objects. Includes live science shows, hands-on workshops, interactive activities, and, importantly, breakfast! This year’s programme features a brand-new Mars mission experience and the chance to earn an exclusive Science Museum badge.
Science Afternoon Tea
- Thursdays-Sundays until 16 July 2026, excluding school holidays
- Ticketed; Adults’ Afternoon Tea £36, Kids’ Afternoon Tea £26
A playful twist on a classic afternoon tea, with science-inspired treats for all ages. Enjoy everything from petri dish jelly to Earl-grey soaked scones. Guests can even create their own chemistry-inspired fizzy drink and delicious ‘elemental cupcake’.
