Techniquest

Techniquest is an absorbing science discovery centre in Cardiff Bay that features loads of entertaining hands-on exhibits, each demonstrating different aspects and laws of science.

One of the coolest newest exhibits I've seen there is the vertical wind tunnel, where you can find out which objects hover or move in weird ways within the air stream.

The whole idea behind the centre is that you learn a lot about science without really trying. All elements of the centre aim to be as engaging, interactive, and hands-on as possible - so you get to do stuff such as racing an electric car, testing your reaction times, launching a rocket or a hot air balloon, or watching a bubble race.

Techniquest also incorporates a science theatre hosting regular shows and talks, and a planetarium. This summer (2010) the Planetarium has just installed a new digital projector, too, which shows up the stars brightly so that visitors can experience the night sky in all its glory.

I'm almost a little embarrassed to write a review on this place. I've often walked past the place in the bay with my lovely. I'd regress into my childhood from a time when my mother would take me to the Science museum in London and just how much I loved that place. Eventually I wore madam lovely down and with a raised eyebrow agreed to come with me.

Cue an overly excited, over sugared, over sized grown man running around kicking kids out of the way to play on all the hands on science based exhibitions on offer. Particular highlights included the hot air ballon and bubble race (Miss lovely won grrr).

It's really great place for kids and defiantly makes learning fun and can create an interest in further learning for the more responsive child.

Though we didn't visit anything else there is a planetarium (for an extra £1.30 and a theatre that has science shows fairly often.

Prices for big kids such as myself (adults) is £6.30 with the option to add 10% donations and £4.50 for children and concessions.

Are you a kid, no? well you can still enjoy this place. If you taking the kids out and you want something different to the cinema, Techniquest could work. I'm not condoning a Hansel and Gretel, leave them in the Techniquest with bread crumbs etc while you go for a coffee but I'm sure you've thought about it.

The adventure of discovery is what this place offers it will amaze them and keep them occupied. I'm a big science fan so anything that unravels the science is interesting but it's a bit like a magic trick the minute you work out how it works the mystery is gone, but not for kids due to there short attention span so repeat visits may be on the cards.

The exhibits show how science works in practical terms in an engaging and fun way so if you want to get your kid excited and inquisitive about science there is no better place.

I was recently hired to film and produce a short promotional video for Techniquest. I thought it would be tricky to make this place seem interesting as I had never been there before. How wrong was I?!

I was completely won over. When my son is old enough this will be high on our "places to go" list.

You can spend hours messing about with all manner of colourful contraptions and not get bored. This is educational learning at its best, this is the way it should be - kids won't even know they are learning as its so much fun.

You'd never know it from the outside but as you walk past Techniquest there's is a bubble of explosive energy and creative wonderment being born every second of everyday it is open happening within its walls.

I remember the days of when I was a child and I visited Techniquest. It seemed like such a magical land filled with all those scientific experiments that could keep you entertained for hours. After many years, it still makes me excited and curious about the way science works. It is a great centre for families because they will learn things about science as well as the children.

I remember going on a few school trips to the centre and being taken a back by all the different experiments that went on. I visited there a couple of months back and I was still in awe over some of the experiments they did. My personal favourite was taking a picture of your shadow on the wall and it remained there, the silly poses that we pulled had me laughing for weeks. It's a very hands on experience, which is what kids want with science at the end of the day. It is so boring when you just watch some science experiment happen when all you want is to be involved. Techniquest is filled with fun. They also have theatre shows to give families more education although this does cost more.

Techniquest is fun for everyone. Your children will find it fun learning science. Techniquest makes science fun! I'd go back there tomorrow if I could.

This is a great place for kids and for those eternal children like me who refuse to grow up
It's a weird and wonderful playground of all things scientific. It is an interactive and inspiring exhibition of machines,contraptions and hydraulics which will entertain everyone. I brought my two neices here and it was such a fantastic feeling to let them go and explore safely on their own for a couple of hours,
When we got in, I was left for dead. They didn't want or need me which was great. The noise is always deafening and the atmosphere is buzzing. The space is on two levels and is crammed full of interesting colourful buttons to press, push,twist and rub. All the senses are in overdrive and it's hard to stand back and observe the urge to take part is very strong.
I don't think you have to book just turn up. Be prepared for queues and noise and go to the cafe when exhaustion kicks in.

Ideal for children of all ages, this attraction on Cardiff's smart waterfront is an eye-opener. Here your little ones (and you!) can operate complicated technology:

Watch your shadow "freeze" on a wall behind you; hear a whisper from 100ft away, and watch solid objects seem to change shape.
When you have exhausted all the attractions (or they have tired you out!) there is another surprise, not so much in store as outside the store; a planetarium.

You've heard of them, and you know what they are, and now it's your chance to visit.

Entry is included in your ticket to the main hall. Once inside you are shown to your semi-reclining seat, the lights are dimmed and the show will enthral you.

Both halls are very well supervised and the staff as a whole are full of enthusiasm and energy, making your visit feel more like a friend's re-union. Enjoy, again and again

I've been to this science centre so often that I could give people the guided tour.

I know when they change something and when there's a new exhibit. I know all the tricks and best order to see things in. I can tell you all about the surface tension of bubbles and find my way through the mirror maze in seconds. I smell chlorine and think of their water section, instead of swimming pools like most people. I can play 'Happy Birthday' and 'The Heart Asks For Pleasure First' from 'The Piano' score on the giant piano with my feet. I've spent hours with my hand on a red button, waiting for a balloon to rise up to the ceiling. I know how to scare little children from across the other side of the centre by whispering into a giant listening device. I own all the cool things the gift shop has to offer and I've tried every flavour of slushy from the cafe...

... it's been a good two decades. Thank you Techniquest.

Interested in all things Science? Want some to see and do something a bit different? Then Techniquest is the best place for children to go. It is a very hand's on place and is full of fun activities.

The tickets are reasonable enough for price entry, considering what you get out of the place the price of tickets doesn't really matter. It is located down in Cardiff Bay and it is not far from the sea front and Harry Ramsdens Restaurant and Takeaway place. Kids won't know where to start!

The centre is massive and is full of many wondrous science things to do and it would make a great day out to go to. The kids will burn off so much energy after running about the place; pressing buttons and being captivated by the movement of large bubbles, moving about in a long, cylinder, clear tube full of water, slowly moving up and down inside it. And there are even many more, weirder things to see. I recommend to all families with children.

This is a fun educational day out for all to enjoy.

I went here a few months ago with my 7 year nephew... and I am not embarrassed to say I enjoyed it just as much as he did.

The centre is like a volcanic explosion of interesting things to do and see. It is very much a hands on day out and there are so many things for the children (and adults) to get involved in.

My highlight of the day was the floor piano. I had only every seen one of these in movies so when I came face to face with this I nearly wet myself with excitement. I could have stayed playing with this for the entire visit but my nephew kept tugging at my arm to move on. Looking back now I am glad I did as the whole centre is magical.

The gift shop is also worth a little looky if you have some spare pennies to spend. It sells everything you would expect to find in a typical gift shop.

Entry for children 4-16 is £5.00 for adults it is £7.00.