Museums really are for all ages and this is a great idea from one of Wales’ best museums for children
When else do you get to stand in a set of giant teeth?(Image: Steph Colderick)
Museums. The words can bring feelings of dread and disappointment into adults when they think of dusty old places, full of wordy signs and not much else.
Or you can picture an environment full of screaming kids, stressed-out parents, and general chaos. The adult-only night I went along to at Techniquest was nothing like this, and instead, us adults had total free rein of one of Wales’ best children’s museums, and it proved that Techniquest was not just for children.
I have been wanting to go along to an adult night at Techniquest, the science museum in Cardiff Bay, ever since I moved to Cardiff, as it always intrigued me, but I didn’t fancy going and being surrounded by over-excited children.
Going to the adult night meant that I could be the overexcited child instead, and I could run around, press all the buttons, explore the oceans, send tennis balls flying into the air, and more, all without worrying about accidentally knocking over a toddler.
Instead, I could be the over-excited child(Image: Steph Colderick)
Prices for the adult night at Techniquest range, with early bird prices starting at £12 and standard prices are £17.
I paid £17 for my ticket and thought it was well worth the money.
It is normally £12.75 for adults to enter Techniquest, and with the £17 ticket, I got an alcoholic welcome drink included and access to the show.
It was more than worth £17 to have the alcoholic drink included and just free rein of Techniquest, surrounded by other adults.
The museum stays open later into the evening. We got there at 7pm and didn’t leave until 10pm.
Because it only being adults, there was a bar, and there was food, and it just made the whole experience so much more pleasant and fun than if I had gone along during the day.
I was like a big kid in Techniquest, I could really understand why children enjoy it so much, as I darted from station to station, taking it all in.
I was not expecting it to be so interactive, or for it to be so big with so much to see and do, and this was one of the best parts; you are so absorbed, and there is so much to enjoy.
It really was a lot of fun and a brilliant way to spend the evening; one moment a vacuum cleaner is lifting you off the floor, the next you are experiencing a tornado or an earthquake, or you are firing tennis balls into the air and then trying to work out riddles.
And even better? No screens. After a full day at work, where I personally stare at a lot of screens, it was brilliant to go out and do something interactive.
Actually using my hands, getting involved, going to see the live show, and chatting to my friends the whole way through meant it was a very fun and interesting evening.
Techniquest is running its next adult night on Thursday, October 30, which has a Halloween theme.