The Festival of Tomorrow brought its popular Swindon Imaginarium back to The Brunel Shopping Centre for the October half-term holidays, offering six days of free science experiments, creative workshops and Halloween activities for local families.
Running from Monday 26th to Saturday 31st October, the event gave children the opportunity to try something different each day, with activities covering everything from fire and earthquakes to the human brain and spooky Halloween experiments.
Presented by the Festival of Tomorrow, the Imaginarium was located downstairs in The Brunel, opposite Boots, and welcomed families between 10am and 4pm throughout the week.
The programme combined hands-on learning with arts and crafts, allowing children to explore scientific ideas through practical activities.
Six Days of Science and Creativity
Each day of the half-term programme focused on a different theme, giving families a reason to return throughout the week.
Monday began with fire-themed experiments, including thermal imaging, infrared art and disappearing ink.
Children could explore how heat can be detected using specialist technology, as well as trying their hand at writing secret messages.
Tuesday turned its attention to the earth, with volcano artwork, earthquake-resistant tower challenges and quicksand experiments.
The Wyvern Theatre also joined the activities with crafts inspired by Jack and the Beanstalk, giving youngsters the chance to make cow masks, beanstalks and giant castles.
From Tornadoes to the Human Brain
Wednesday’s activities explored water, with children experimenting with colourful oil and water mixtures and discovering how to create a tornado inside a bottle.
There was also an opportunity to make fish-themed headwear to take home.
On Thursday, the programme moved away from the natural elements to explore what happens inside the human mind.
Researchers from Oxford University joined the event, helping children create brain hats, produce artwork inspired by brainwaves and discover how optical illusions can trick the eyes.
Friday’s theme was air, with activities including air-powered machines, spinning balloon mobiles and bird decorations.
The experiments were designed to introduce children to scientific principles through activities they could try for themselves.
Halloween Brings a Spooky Finish
The final day, Saturday 31 October, saw the Imaginarium take on a Halloween theme.
The Halloween Spooktacular invited children to create their own magic wands, experiment with colour-changing potions and make floating ghosts.
The activities brought together science and seasonal crafts, providing a free option for families looking for something to do in Swindon on Halloween.
With different activities available each day, the event offered an alternative to some of the more expensive half-term attractions.
Festival of Tomorrow Bringing Science to Swindon Families
The Swindon Imaginarium formed part of the Festival of Tomorrow’s work to make science, technology and creativity accessible to people of all ages.
By bringing activities into The Brunel Shopping Centre, the event gave families the opportunity to explore scientific ideas in a familiar town centre setting.
The programme also brought together creative activities and contributions from organisations including the Wyvern Theatre and researchers from Oxford University.
The free event was made possible through a grant from the Sustainable Futures Programme, funded by the Community Benefit Fund created through the Science Museum Group’s Wroughton Solar Park and managed by Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation.
This funding helped ensure families could take part without paying an admission fee.
The return of the Imaginarium provided another family-focused attraction in Swindon town centre during the school holidays.
Combining science, engineering, creativity and seasonal entertainment, the six-day programme offered children opportunities to learn through making, experimenting and exploring.
Further information about The Brunel and its events can be found on The Brunel Shopping Centre website.
