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 Operation Ouch 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 of Operation Ouch
The highlight for us was being able to go 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 my boys are younger than the suggested age at 2 and 4, Operation Ouch still opened up lots of conversations about the senses which gave us the perfect opportunity to implement some learning through play. Plus designated under-4s play section was a lovely bonus for them too and is a great addition for families with younger children that still want to bring their older children to enjoy the exhibit as everyone will be entertained.
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 that serves a lovely selection of both hot and cold food, snacks, meals and drinks.
Our final thoughts on Operation Ouch
All in all, I’d say Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You! is a fantastic temporary addition to the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester. It’s fun, educational, and sparks so much curiosity – definitely worth a visit if you’re nearby!
Although the exhibit itself took us around 1–1.5 hours to explore, we recommend allowing a little longer for your visit. The museum has plenty to see beyond the Operation ouch, with other sections covering areas such as science, technology, transport and Manchester’s industrial heritage. There are lots of things to see and do and plenty of interactive areas for the kids to enjoy some more hands on learning opportunities.
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.
Getting to the Science and Industry Museum
The Science and Industry Museum is located on Liverpool Road in Manchester’s Castlefield area, close to the city centre. If you’re travelling by train, Manchester Oxford Road is one of the closest stations, with the museum around a 10–15 minute walk away. The museum is also within walking distance of Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria, although these are a little further away.
If you’re driving, it’s worth planning your parking in advance as the museum is in a busy city-centre area and parking directly at the museum is limited. There are several car parks around Castlefield and the wider city centre, so checking availability and prices before you travel can save time and money. We’d recommend allowing a little extra time for parking and walking to the museum, particularly if you’re visiting during weekends or school holidays. The museum is located at Liverpool Road, Manchester, M3 4JP
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