If you're looking for an interactive learning experience that'll wow the little ones – and big kids too – look no further than Dundee Science Centre. A part of the Scottish Science Centres Network, this large building in the Greenmarket area of Dundee houses two floors of hands-on exhibitions.
Previously known as Sensation, it opened as part if the Millennium Commission – a group of lottery-funded projects established to mark the turn of the millennium – in July 2000. With exhibits mainly centred around biology, the five senses are explored in great detail here, so there is plenty to touch, smell, taste, see and hear at Dundee Science Centre.
There are over 80 exhibitions, which are split across six zones dedicated to sound, touch, sight, taste, smell and temperature. When we say it's interactive, we mean it. Children can crawl up a giant nose to see what's up there, shout into the mouth of a monster to judge how loud they are and use mind power to make objects move. They can also test the artificial intelligence of robots at the museum's Roborealm exhibition.
On top of fun displays, kids will love the interactive talks that are held daily at the centre. From live science experiments and workshops on how things work, to storytime for little ones, there is something here that kids of all ages can enjoy. The Dino Discoveries show is one of the more popular events, where a team of science communicators share the wonders of our lost kingdom in an interactive and energetic show.
If all the stimulation gets a bit too much, refresh with a bite to eat at Infusion. Serving light lunches and snacks, it is open daily from 10am-4pm. Parents will be happy to hear the coffee served here is magnificent. All the ingredients used are locally sourced and even the coffee is roasted in Dundee. Infusion also has free Wi-Fi, as well as all the facilities needed to make sure babies are looked after.
If your little ones want to take home a memento of their visit, head to the museum shop, which is full of quirky products you can't get anywhere else. Gifts are usually tailored to the exhibitions going on in the centre, and there are loads of dinosaur goodies for kids who are mad about all things Jurassic.
If you're staying in one our Dundee hotels in November, be sure to check out the Dundee Science Festival. Held at Dundee Science Centre for a two-week period, the aim of the game here is to make science enticing to young people.
Dundee Science Centre is open seven days a week, 10am-5pm. It is a great day out for the family, and under fours get in free. Just a six-minute walk from Dundee Railway Station – and four miles from our Dundee West hotel – the centre is next door to Dundee Contemporary Arts.