Museums reviewed by parents: We The Curious, Bristol

Although some of the science behind the exhibits will be difficult for this age range to comprehend, even the youngest children will be fascinated by the interactive displays. Conducting music through their jaw bone as they bite down on a straw and plug their ears is sure to keep them mesmerised for a while (as strange as that sentence sounds!).

They will love the Flight Zone as they launch their own parachutes from the ceiling and watch them float back down to the ground.

And don't forget to check out the construction play area upstairs for under 8s, and the shadow puppet show if you have kids who love creating stories and making puppets.

Noah and I were fortunate enough to catch one of the 3D planetarium shows and it was the highlight of the whole day. These 3D shows are recommended for KS2 children but planetarium shows like Rocketship Adventure, aimed at children aged under 6, are also on offer. Noah stayed focused and fascinated for the full 45 minutes and we were encouraged to take part in deciding where our space adventure would take us. We looked at various planets and learned about the solar system, and curiosity was very much encouraged.

Back on Earth, the We The Curious animation area is great for KS2 children and allows them to create their own storyboards, plots, characters, and sequences. They can then take images and create a short film, which can then be sent to your email address. The bubble-making area is also brilliant and will be enjoyed by children (and adults) of all ages, as they compete to make the largest bubble possible before it pops.

Theme days, workshops and planetarium shows run at specific times and days throughout the year. Topics range from forensic science and maths to brains and bodies and, of course, space!

Visit the website for an up-to-date events calendar to help you plan your visit. Make sure you take part in one of the many interactive activities available – great fun as well as educational, and included in your admission price (apart from the planetarium shows).

The cafe offers ice cream, sandwiches and other lunchbox-style snacks, as well as hot soups. There is a wide selection of cold and hot drinks and it is all reasonably priced. There is a seating area outside and, on a nice day, kids can play in the water features that run alongside the building as you drink your coffee and enjoy a cake.

We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road, Harbourside, Bristol BS1 5DB

The museum is open 10am - 5pm, from Monday to Friday (during term time) and 10am - 6pm on weekends, Bank Holidays and Bristol school holidays.

There is detailed visitor information on the website.

There is a large gift shop as you enter the museum and it’s filled with books, socks, mugs, teddies, and plenty of science/museum memorabilia. Prices range for £1 for small kids' toys, to £95 for framed artwork.

The museum has a newsletter to keep you up-to-date with what they’re up to, and we love the We The Curious YouTube channel, packed with kids' science videos: hands-on dissections, guides to finding constellations and lots simple science activities, from making rockets to baking bread!

Download free exhibition and topic trails before your visit to help you get the most out of each area. National curriculum science topics covered include:

• Energy
• Forces
• Magnetism and electricity
• Our world
• Food and sustainability

Photography: © Alex Smye Rumsby © Paul Blakemore © Daniel Watkiss © Lee Pullen © Lisa Whiting