Anyone been to wonderlab at the science museum: tips please!

[Epictantrum]

Hi,
We are hoping to go to the wonderlab at the science museum on Thursday (hoping as most schools are back it might not be so hectic??)
Does anyone know how important it is to book in advance? I have a two for one voucher with national rail which can't be used to book online, so hoping to use that, but is there a chance that it will sell out, or that there will be an hour long queue to buy tickets?
With the shows, can you book those in advance? The kids are 6 and 8 so I think only the Flash Bang Wallop or Livewire will be suitable, any recommendations/tips as to how to plan the day and make the most of the time? We won't get there until about 2pm, will this be enough time?
Thanks in advance.

Bump

Hi Epic

We've been a couple of times and going back on Friday afternoon. It's a great exhibition and my DS love it - they are 7 and 9.

We were there last summer and there were long queues. I don't think it will be nearly so bad this week. If you visit more than once a year, it's better to get an annual pass. We didn't and I wish we had as this will be our third visit. 2pm is when we've arrived and it's enough time.

The Wonderlab:
It's quite open plan and the first time we didn't have a clue about what we wanted to do. They enjoyed it and found it interesting but the boys though of it as an indoor playground.... They sort of rushed around from exhibit to exhibit without taking it in too much. Not sure if this is normal?? This time I've been a little more organised and we've been talking about what we're going to do. DS1 is doing forces at school next term, so I've downloaded the science guide and we've been talking about it. It gives me a better idea on how to make the most out of it..... The flash, bang, wallop show is brilliant. Haven't done any of the others, but hope to this time. The Chemistry bar looks great and is very popular, we couldn't get near it in the summer. When we get there on Friday, we'll see what time the shows are on and plan around them.

Other Stuff:
There is a place where you can eat packed lunches etc which is good as the museum restaurants/cafes are expensive and not very inspiring. I've found a pizza place in nearby Bute Street which we're going to afterwards. The shop on the ground floor is great - so many wonderful toys and unusual things. We bought some great magnets last time. The boys have saved some holiday money as it's their favourite toy shop.

Hope that helps and that you have a wonderful day. :)

Ruggles

That is really helpful Ruggles, thank you. Do you pre book? Hope you have a great time on Friday.

How did you get on? We had such a good visit this afternoon. DCs had to be dragged away after 2.5 hours. We did all the timed stuff first, which was much bettter. Hope you had a good time. :)

Hi, we had a great time. There were no queues to buy a ticket and we waited about 20 mins to get in. I think about 3 hours is a good amount of time to try everything out and see a show (we saw flash bang wallop which was great, although kids were nervous in anticipation of the bangs which weren't too bad). Just turned up 5 minutes before the show, no need to book or organise and they were all on several times a day. Kids most enjoyed the friction slides and the spinning/centrifugal force one. I loved the mirror box for taking great photos.
Was better after about 3.30 when it got much quieter.
Take a bottle of water and a snack in.
We ate at honest burger afterwards near the tube which was good.