Mini Science Club session at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens – review
We enjoyed a Mini Science Club half term session at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens so thought I’d share an honest review.
The February half term was split over two weeks so schools in the North East were off either the week of 12 February or 19 February and we were in the first week.
I checked out the North East Family Fun what’s on in February round-up post and the Mini Science Club at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens had a session during our week off so I was sold.
I booked the Friday afternoon slot so we could have lunch at home and plenty of time to drive to Sunderland.
About Mini Science Club
Join the team from Big Science UK for fun activities for 1 – 4 year olds.
During each session your child will not only play and explore, but they will also be actively learning, creating and thinking critically every week.
Enjoy age-appropriate hands-on experiments, learning and messy play with a science twist.
Mini Science Club session will be messy and involve using the whole body to explore and experiment so please wear appropriate clothes.
To find out more visit www.bigscienceuk.com.
Places must be pre-booked via the “Book Now” button or the Museum Shop.
Our Mini Science Club session at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
We arrived with a little bit of time to spare so we had a look round the Museum first.
And then it was time for our Mini Science session.
Neil warmly welcomed us and did some housekeeping and a few smaller experiments to warm the kids up.
As it was close to Valentine’s Day the theme was around hearts which was really cute.
There were red trays dotted round the large room with different activities set up and you were free to move round at your own pace.
Elsie went straight to the giant building blocks first to build a tower.
And then she did some painting with sponges and brushes.
Elsie enjoyed the magnetic small tiles and making different shapes with them.
She couldn’t resist the water play trays for too long though and enjoyed making a chemical reaction and lots of bubbles!
There were towels on hand to help dry off which was good.
Elsie enjoyed getting hands on with the experiments like using the pipette to create a heart on a paper plate.
And she also enjoyed creating hearts out of play doh.
The hour soon flew by and although Elsie was just under the age threshold she really enjoyed the Mini Science session.
If Mini Science sessions had been available when I was on maternity leave I definitely would have went every week!
We really enjoyed the science session and would definitely recommend it.
Follow Mini Science on social media to see upcoming sessions across the North East.
Once the session was finished we looked around the museum again and obviously had to check out the gift shop.
Elsie enjoyed the gardens and in particular the fish and dinosaurs!
Where is Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens?
Burdon Road
Sunderland
Tyne and Wear
SR1 1PP
Directions
By car
A1
Take the exit at Jct 62 on A1 northbound or southbound
Follow A690 for Sunderland
Then A1231 for Hendon and then head onto Burdon Road
A19
Take the exit for A183 on A19 southbound
Take the exit for A690 on A19 northbound
Then A1231 for Hendon and then head onto Burdon Road
By Metro/Train
The nearest Tyne & Wear Metro station is Sunderland. This station also operates trains to Newcastle and Middlesbrough and is about 100m walk from the Museum.
Please note there are major refurbishment works currently taking place at Sunderland Station. The southern rail entrance/exit from Market Square and Union Street are currently closed. Passengers are being asked to use the northern entrance on Union Street to access the station.
You can find and book coach and train timetables on Trainline.
By bus
Numerous buses stop along Fawcett Street, Borough Road and Burdon Road, all of which are within two minutes walk of the Museum. These include Stagecoach buses 23, E1, E6 plus Go North East 33, 35 and 36.
Parking
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens is on the edge of Mowbray Park in the city centre, it does not have its own dedicated car park.
Tatham Street open air pay and display car park is close by. The entrance to the Museum is approximately 400m walk, past Tavistock Place then either along the North Terrace of the Park or along Borough Road.
There are several designated bays for disabled drivers close to the Museum entrance on Burdon Road and some on John Street approximately 100m away.
To see all car parks near to Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens please click here.
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens opening hours
Monday – Friday, 9.30am-5pm*: Museum Shop, Ground Floor Galleries and Library
*Late night opening on Wednesday until 7pm.
Monday – Friday 10am-4pm: Upper Level Galleries including the Art and Special Exhibitions Galleries, and Bennelli’s Cafe.
Monday – Friday 10am-5pm: Winter Gardens
Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Sunday, Closed
Admission is free for everyone. Some exhibitions may have a charge. Donations are welcome.
Pin this 
Other family day out related posts
Space Zone at Life Science Centre
Potter’s World Lanchester Garden Centre
Family fun at Northumberland County Show
Keep in touch
You can also find me on Twitter @rachael_stray
Or follow my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/rachaelstrayblog/
You can see my random pictures on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rachys2011/
And see what I’m pinning on Pinterest https://www.pinterest.co.uk/rachaelstray/
