Techniquest

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 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 café when exhaustion kicks in.

This is the perfect place to take children. Scratch that: This is the perfect place to take anyone. Absolutely anyone. It’s a science museum with a twist. It’s interactive and it shows off about it by flaunting irresistible gadgetry and bright colours in your face as soon as you enter.
You have to be commited to the cause of interactive science as it’s not exactly cheap to get in, but if you’re around the Bay anyway with the kids then it’s worth heading along. There’s downright baffling physics experiments like the thing that rolls uphill, as well as visual stimuli in the shape of camera walls which capture your silhouette (something you’d have to see to understand, really!) and optical illusions galore. My personal favourite is the blue screen that allows you to become invisible by wrapping a blue rug around you. There is endless fun to be head with pretending to be a floating head. I am drawn very suddenly to a quote by Kurt Vonnegut: «I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don’t let anybody tell you different.»

Good old Techniquest. What a place. When I think of Techniquest it conjures up memories of school trips, packed lunches and screaming blue murder when I got lost in the bloody place.
Let me make this clear; Techniquest is not only for children, it truly is an amazing place for any one who has a passion for not only learning but having fun along the way.
I took my dad who resembled a pig in… you know what!
Now there’s far to much going on for me to even start mentioning so I’ll let you discover that when you go.
Personally, my favourite part of this place is the gift shop. Tragic I know but having played and learnt and discovered whilst in the bosom of this remarkable place when you get to the shop and you can actually take things you’ve learnt home with you, is truly a beaut in my eyes.
I think everyone who’s been bought the illuminated stars for their bedroom ceiling and those weird magic eye broaches. I looked like something out of Star Trek when I left.
On my virginal visit to Techniquest i got lost in the maze holding up the school bus and having a minor panic attack along the way which often cast a gloomy outlook on the place but returning years later to master the damn thing, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. So get your gadget head on and get down there!

There are times in everyone’s life where you find yourself knocked down a peg or two. At such times, there is virtually nothing to be done to reinstate lost dignity. For me, one of the most memorable moments like this occurred in Techniquest.
I had decided to finally visit with a friend and had confidently pushed him aside to show that I was the master of the mind-​game. All that was needed was a little bit of logic and a pinch of know-​how and I’d be able to open the treasure-​chest.
Five minutes later and I’m still hitting a padlock with an oversized key. Aforementioned friend has abandoned the thought of glistening circles of fake gold in favour for the light-​catching dial of his watch.
At this point a kid, probably over ten years my junior, marches over and grabs the key from my hand. With a quick flick of her wrist, the chest is open and I am left putting on my educational BBC teacher voice to simultaneously praise the child and confidently imply I knew how to do this all along.
To add insult to injury, my friend then starts to gently lecture our young, new friend on the importance of letting others have the chance to prove themselves. Biting my lip and refraining from resorting to wailed claims of ‘She started it’ and ‘I want my mummy!’, I managed to sit through the embarrassment with a spot of what I deemed to be mature self respect.
Do go to Techniquest, do enjoy yourself, but make sure you go at a time when those threatening little things are locked away in schools.
URBAN CHALLENGE: Race a child to complete a task

Absolutely fantastic place for kids of almost all ages. Even those who’ll profess to being ‘too cool’ for somewhere of this ilk would undoubtedly enjoy the experience deep-​down. An interactive, hands-​on science fest, Techniquest provides a number of high-​tec games, exhibits and puzzles. Parents with young families should definitely visit Techniquest, with it’s enjoyable and educational approach an easy way to get children interested in science. Parents too are sure to enjoy themselves, particularly those who are still young at heart!
With a planetarium also on site, Techniquest provides hours of fun and really should fill a whole day for most families. The reasonably priced café provides the pit-​stop for hungry children and their parents, re-​fuelling families to enable further exploration. Also recomended to schools looking to take classes on field trips, Techniquest really provides a unique experience for the people of Cardiff.

Confession time. I am a twenty three year old male. I am a twenty three year old male who is no longer in education. I am a twenty three year old male who weighs close to eighteen stone and is six foot four inches tall. So, let’s review… I am too old, too educated, too heavy and too tall to do most of the things in Techniquest.
And that STILL doesn’t stop me going there if I can gather up enough people to come with me and make it seem like an «ironic» day out.
The toys and games and educational events that have at this place make for just an incredibly fun day for people of all ages. And if you’re of an even slightly scientific bent, there’s the added fun of knowing how these things are done.
If you have children, all the better. Techniquest is designed for them after all. However, if you’re an adult who isn’t that adult, don’t let your on-​paper age stop you from indulging your inner child… Techniquest will not disappoint.

God bless Techniquest. I have been on at least 236 school trips here and have nothing but fond memories.
It’s pretty run down and uninspiring outside but that belies the wonderment within!
You quickly lose yourself and become a kid again as soon as you walk through the doors. This review may be a little circa-​2007 as that was the last time I went but from what I can gather, everything I mention is still there. The floating beach ball, spinning chair and the truly amazing shadow wall thing are some of my fondest memories of school trips. If I ever make enough money, I will have a wall which can catch my shadow just like theirs and never leave the house.
The prices are pretty decent for the amount of fun you have at £7 for adults and £5 for kids. They also have a little restaurant/​café thing which serves basic food but it does the trick.
There’s also a gift shop where I pretty much bought all my stationery as a child. They’ve got loads of cool sciencey stuff in there and it’s well worth a visit.
Techniquest is one of those places where both kids and adults can have a great time and I am going to make a return trip in the very near future.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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’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 café…
… it’s been a good two decades. Thank you Techniquest.

I’m not embarrassed to admit that I visit techniquest twice a year, and I don’t have any children. Personally I think it makes a great date venue because everything is so interactive that it provides a good ice breaker/​conversation starter. Of course if you have kids it’s probably better because if you’re under 10 then it’s literally the most exciting place in the universe. If you’re a parent then you can keep the little ones entertained for hours and feel safe in the knowledge that they’re actually learning something. There’s a new ‘music’ area in the main exhibition where you’ll find things that teach you all about sound, I think they built it in place of the slightly hazardous mirror maze which was horrifically claustrophobic as a child. There’s a ‘DJ booth’ in the music section and I’m slightly ashamed to admit I hogged it for about half an hour whilst I played on plastic decks and pretended to be benga. The children were unimpressed and I think one even cried.
Budding astronauts might want to check out the planetarium where they’ll take a mission to the moon and find out fascinating facts about the solar system.

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.

Este é o que se pode chamar o primo mais pequeno do Pavilhão do Conhecimento no Parque das Nações. É ideal para umas boas horas quando o tempo não permite para mais, aconselho vivamente depois de se ter visitado o Museu Nacional no Cathays Park. O Techniquest é especialmente adequado a crianças, tendo um considerável número de experiências, e até a adultos. Fui lá com a minha outra metade e deu para uma manhã bem divertida e ao mesmo tempo interessante! A parte mais engraçada foi o mini planetário que têem lá! Apesar de ser pequeno ele proporciona uma experiência mais íntima e mais à vontade da astronomia! Só tem dois senãos, o preço e o facto de ser pequeno! Ah! Levem comida, pois o restaurante é carote e a comida não é das melhores

A fantastic day out for all the family.
Kids of all ages can find something fun to do, its educational but they dont really realise because they are enjoying them selves so much.
The staff are so friendly and helpful, which is good when your stuck on some of the activities (I’m thinking of that gate which my four year old son worked out but I needed help)
There are shows and displays, which cost extra but still reasonable.
I think the café lets it down a little bit though. Its expensive, theres not much choice and the food is not that nice. I would recommend taking a picnic and walking around the bay.

Informative, educational and FUN!!! Suits kids of all ages and me and my husband plan to go without the children one day too!!!
The coffee shop is nice but it can be pricey.
I like the fact that they often change exhibits and displays so if you dont visit in a while, there will be new things to explore.
The staff are helpful and really seem to enjoy their jobs and most importantly — help make learning fun!!!

Fantastic place for the kids where science and play meet.
It seems every child in school in South Wales will at some point be subjected to Techniquest and it really is a great place if you’re struggling finding somewhere to take the nippers. I’d take a packed lunch though as the café is massively overpriced and dont stock a variety of food.
Great range of exhibits and really informational.
Located in Mermaid Quay — take the number 8 bus from the city centre and there’s an NCP car park nearby if driving.

Ein Zentrum für Kinder und Erwachsene in Cardiff Bay, wo Technik spielerisch erklärt wird.
Man kann alles ausprobieren und anfassen. Experimente werden durchgeführt! Es gibt auch ein Planetarium. Eignet sich sehr bei Regenwetter — wie heute. Technologien und Mathematik werden gefördert. Es geht um Aspekte wie Klimawandel, ganz aktuell.