We recently visited the Science & Industry Museum in Manchester to see their brand-new exhibition Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You! and it was such a fun experience. I took my two youngest boys (aged 2 and 3), and although the exhibition is recommended for ages 5+, they still had a brilliant time. Entry is £10 (free for under 3s), with the rest of the museum completely free to explore.
The exhibition begins with a short video from Dr Chris, Dr X and and Dr Ronx, who explain that you’ll be travelling through Dr X’s ear and into his brain – which definitely captured the boys’ attention straight away! From there, each section of the body is brought to life with colourful zones, easy-to-understand facts and loads of interactive exhibits. The boys loved running through the different body parts, being “shrunk down” to ant size, and especially exploring inside Dr Chris’ head.
The highlight for us was inside the eye, where you work out how far away you are upside down, before flipping the right way round as you get closer – it really got them giggling and asking questions. Even though they’re younger than the suggested age, the exhibition opened up lots of conversations about the senses, and the under-4s play section was a lovely bonus for them too.
We spent about an hour inside, but I can imagine my older child would have stayed much longer, reading all the facts and watching the videos (which come with headphones so you can listen properly). It’s a really well-thought-out exhibition – clear zones, engaging activities and plenty of opportunities to learn through play.
There’s also a picnic area on the top floor of the museum if you want to bring your own food (a cost-effective option with little ones!), as well as a café on site. All in all, I’d say Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You! is a fantastic temporary addition to the museum. It’s fun, educational, and sparks so much curiosity – definitely worth a visit if you’re nearby!
Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You is open every day 10-5 until 4 January 2026, you can find full details of ticket prices on the website.
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