Enquiring young minds will have plenty to feed them during Dundee Science Festival 2024.
The annual celebration of science sees activities, workshops and exhibitions across the city for people of all ages.
It runs from Monday February 12 to Sunday February 25 at Dundee Science Centre and partner venues, including Verdant Works and St Andrews Botanic Gardens.
We’ve pulled together of a list of the events we reckon will be best for kids, some of them coinciding with the mid-term school break.
Dundee Science Festival for Kids
Diagnosis: Kidnapped Escape Game
Where: Verdant Works
When: Sunday February 18, 11am and 2pm
Solve scientific puzzles in the TB exhibition to set kidnapped scientists free. Scientists who work in the Wellcome Centre solve puzzles everyday in their quest to make new medicines. This game will allow participants to experience some of their challenges. Some puzzles might be tricky for younger players, and children under 12 must be accompanied.
Tickets: Must be booked in advance.
Coding Creatures with Strawbees
Where: Dundee Science Centre
When: Monday February 12 to Sunday February 25
Build and play with Strawbees straw connectors to create creatures and add interactivity with using micro:bit coding.
Tickets: Free entry, no booking required
Planet Botanic
Where: St Andrews Botanic Garden
When: Thursday and Friday February 15 and 16, 8.30am to 1pm
A holiday club where children can be dropped off for a morning of adventure, exploring nature though fun activities and chopping wood for their campfire.
Tickets: Contact the garden for details
Young Engineers Science Club
Where: Dundee Science Centre
When: Friday February 16
Learn all about solar energy and the importance of sustainable energy solutions with hands-on challenges.
Tickets: Free entry, no booking required
Loose Parts Play with ScrapAntics
Where: Dundee Science Centre
When: Saturdays February 17 and 24, 12pm to 2pm
Children can let their imaginations run riot to play with, build with and break down all sorts of recycled materials
Tickets: Free entry, no booking required
Sounds Musical with Dr David Darling
Where: Dundee Science Centre
When: Saturdays February 17 and 24
Make and play musical instruments with astronomer, science writer and Sounds Musical musician, Dr David Darling.
Tickets: Free entry, no booking required
Planet Protectors with Dynamic Earth
Where: Dundee Science Centre
When: Monday February 19
Make your own mini bug hotel, natural plant pot and more with a team from Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh.
Tickets: Admission tickets for Dundee Science Centre required
Tackling TB kids’ workshops
Where: Verdant Works
When: Saturday February 17, 11am and 1pm
Educational workshops exploring one of the most deadly infections the world has ever known, and how it affected the mill workers of 19th Century Dundee. Meet the Dundee scientists researching a better treatment for the millions still affected worldwide. Best suited for children aged 7 to 11 but older and younger welcome.
Tickets: Free places must be booked for 11am or 1pm workshops.
Discover the Deep
Where: RRS Discovery and Discovery Point.
When: Saturday February 17 11am to 12pm
Learn about the weird and wonderful creatures lurking in the oceans and how we can protect our seas. Also make your own deep sea specimen in a jar.
Tickets: Pay what you can, places must be booked and children accompanied by an adult
Abertay University Children’s Lab
Where: Dundee Science Centre
When: Monday February 12 to Saturday February 17 and Monday and Tuesday February 19 and 20
Interactive demonstrations with puzzle boxes, online games and physical activities to collect data on children and adults in relation to how they categorise animals and genders.
Tickets: Free entry, no booking required
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