An egg-citing Easter escape room, Easter Egg Hunt and a host of animal-themed activities are on offer at Aberdeen Science Centre over the school holidays, with visitors invited to enjoy some family fun! Launching its new Amazing Animals theme in time for the Easter holidays, the centre will run a series of interactive activities and live science sessions focused on conservation science, veterinary medicine, and Scottish wildlife. Sponsored by Ashgrove Vets, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and Cùmath Pet Surgeons, the Amazing Animals theme will explore how scientists and veterinary professionals care for animals and protect ecosystems, giving visitors the chance to discover the science behind animal health, habitats, and biodiversity. The centre will host a programme of live activities including an animal-themed game show, running every weekend in April, that will see participants’ animal knowledge be put to the test, and an immersive virtual reality (VR) experience that will explore different habitats all around the world. Younger visitors can enjoy a special interactive story time session all about animals, held in the centre’s designated Under 6’s Zone. Visitors to the centre will also be encouraged to take part in some springtime sleuthing as they try to crack an Easter-themed mystery and find their way out of the Easter Escape Room. Running until Sunday, April 12, participants will solve puzzles and riddles as they follow clues to where the Easter Bunny has hidden their prized chocolate eggs. This activity is suitable for children aged 6 and over and must have at least one adult participating. Easter Escape Room sessions cost £25 per group, which can include up to six people, and participants must also purchase admission to the centre. The Easter-related fun will continue through the centre’s Easter Egg Hunt, which will be available in the centre throughout the school break. Families will be encouraged to follow clues and explore the centre’s exhibition space to find all the eggs and win a prize. Participants can also enter into a prize draw to win an Aberdeen Science Centre STEM Family Passport, which allows for unlimited visits for 12 months. The prize draw will take place on Sunday, April 12. Aberdeen Science Centre has also teamed up with Highland Moss, a local independent houseplant boutique, to host a special Spring Workshop during the Easter holidays. Taking place on Thursday, April 2 from 10am to 11.30am, the hands-on session will give visitors the chance to get creative with nature while learning about plants and ecosystems. Participants will create two arrangements to take home – a Marimo moss ball jar and a miniature succulent garden. Suitable for children and adults alike, the workshop costs £35 per participant, which includes all materials as well as the 90-minute guided session delivered by Highland Moss and the Aberdeen Science Centre staff. Accompanying attendees can join for £5, however, this ticket does not include materials and must be purchased alongside a full-price participant admission.
Avery Collins, public programme co-ordinator at Aberdeen Science Centre, said:
“We are incredibly excited here at Aberdeen Science Centre to link our new Amazing Animals theme with springtime and the Easter holidays. We have a lot of fun available for families during the break, including activities that will test your knowledge, inspire your creative side and encourage you to think more deeply about animals and the people who work with and for them.
“We are introducing a wide range of animal-themed experiences that will allow visitors of all ages to discover more about wildlife and conservation and engage with experts in the fields of wildlife research and veterinary medicine. We hope that visiting Aberdeen Science Centre during the Easter holidays will present an opportunity for our visitors to learn and engage with the natural world and have fun doing so.”
Aberdeen Science Centre will also welcome representatives from SRUC, who will host interactive sessions exploring animal behaviour and habitats. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about different species through engaging displays, with two special sessions allowing participants to safely interact with rodents and reptiles in a supervised, educational environment.
On Sunday, April 19, the centre will welcome Bobs Buddies for a live demonstration show featuring owls, giving visitors the chance to discover more about these fascinating birds of prey and their unique adaptations.
Visitors will also be able to hear from a PhD researcher studying the Newburgh Seal Colony, who will share insights into her research and the importance of protecting Scotland’s coastal wildlife. In addition, British Divers Marine Life Rescue will host an information stand highlighting the work they do to protect marine animals around the UK. Alongside these special events, visitors can enjoy a range of drop-in floor activities throughout the centre, including arts and crafts inspired by Scottish wildlife.
To find out more about the Easter activities on offer, and to book a visit to Aberdeen Science Centre, visit https://aberdeensciencecentre.org/