SENsory Astronights is for campers aged 7-17 with special education needs or disabilities. Siblings or friends within this age bracket are also welcome to attend.
Campers must be accompanied by at least one adult over the age of 18.
Activities vary from event to event and exact details will be provided closer to the night. In the meantime, here's a flavour of what to expect:
In 2019 we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first Apollo lunar landing with an entire night of fun lunar-themed activities.
- It Takes Guts in Space science show: Follow the journey of an astronaut’s food into their mouth, through the acid bath in their stomach, along metre after metre of pulsating guts and then out the other end!
- Wonderlab gallery exploration: Exclusive access to one of our most popular hands-on interactive galleries full of exhibits showcasing scientific marvels that you can try out for yourself.
- Space Magnets hands-on workshop: Use smart plastics to mould your own space-themed fridge magnet.
- IMAX film screening: Sit back, relax and enjoy a 3D film on our giant screen the height of four double-decker buses. Awe-inspiring and immersive images will make you feel part of the action.
A typical SENsory Astronights programme looks like this:
19:15—Doors open and registration
19.40—Set up camp and attend Health and Safety Talk
19.55—Explore the museum at your own pace and try out some of the many activities we have programmed for you:
- Interactive Science Shows - Filled with experiments, live demonstrations and lots of opportunities for campers to volunteer
- Gallery events - Immerse yourself in the stories behind some of our incredible objects in our collection
- Hands on workshops - Make and take activities where you can create something to take home and enjoy
23.10—Get ready for bed
23.30—Lights out
06.45—Lights on, time to wake up
07.15—Breakfast
07.45—Visit Wonderlab and watch a 3D IMAX film
09.40—Goodbye
10.00—Astronights finishes; museum and shop open. You are welcome to stay in the museum for as long as you wish.
Campers need to bring a packed evening snack with them. We advise having an evening meal before arriving at the museum.
We supply breakfast, which typically includes a croissant, a muffin and juice, and tea or coffee for the adults.
You and your group will not be split up and you will spend the night in one of our galleries.
Our galleries are mixed-gender sleeping areas with both male and female staff supervising overnight.
The museum is a huge space with lots of room to spread out.
To ensure that you and your family have a great evening, we will be reducing the number of campers in attendance. There will be a maximum of 300 campers attending SENsory Astronights.
SENsory Astronights is an experience best shared, so we may team you with other families to form small groups and give you the opportunity to meet other campers.
Don't forget, you are in charge of your night and are free to explore the museum at your own pace as a family. In the morning you will be guided around the museum by the Astronights Team.
Starts: 19.15, Saturday
Finishes: 10:00, Sunday
We hope you will stay for the whole evening, and through the night, to join us for a delicious continental breakfast on Sunday morning.
However, we understand the planning involved in organizing and preparing for an overnight stay, so you are of course welcome to stay with us for as little or as long as you like.
During Astronights campers will have access to two treatment rooms with an accessible toilet and an examination bed, and one accessible changing room with a portable hoist, examination bed and separate toilet cubicle. There are also accessible toilets throughout the museum.
We have, upon request, a visual story, facilities information and an accessible map.
