Two children and their parents testing meteorites with magnets
National Space Centre

Home Education Day

A day dedicated to home educated children and their families, with hands-on activities, expert-led talks, and inspiring planetarium shows.

  • 10th Sep 2026
  • Ages 6–14 yrs
  • £17  per Child  /  £10  per Adult
  • Hands-on Science, Engaging Talks & Workshops
  • Planetarium Show Included

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Mother and child enjoying Home Education Day
National Space Centre

A day for home-educated children and their families 

Join us for a fun-filled day for children aged 6-14. Our expert-led Home Education Days include hands-on activities and live talks tailored to your age group, and a fantastic planetarium show. 

You will also have one of our experts on hand to answer questions and help you achieve your learning goals.

We host three dates throughout the year, each with a different theme, to support those educated in the home, so check out what works for you. 

The day also includes time to explore the galleries and enjoy the whole Centre as a learning resource. 

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Talks, Activities, and Shows

Workshops and live shows take place at various times during the day, with each session adapted to suit the age group taking part.

  1. Education facilitator on LIVE Space stage presenting to a group of visitors
    National Space Centre

    Talks

    Hosted privately on the LIVE Space stage our Discovery team present this month's themed subject in an accessible and informative talk. With a focus on practical demonstrations all talks will support learning through fun and wonder. 

  2. Mother and daughter on a computer with a member of the Education team during Home Education Day
    National Space Centre

    Workshops

    Each group will participate in a timed hands-on workshop session based on the theme for the day. This will be led by one of our dedicated Education team, and includes a parent or a guardian to support children's learning. 

  3. Tour Of The Night Sky

    Planetarium Show

    Your timetable for the day will also include access to one of our award-winning shows in the UK's largest planetarium. The show will be linked to the theme of the day, so could be a presenter-led tour of the night's sky, or one of the animated STEM focused shows from our NSC Creative team. 

Teenager and Mother at Home Education Day
National Space Centre

Feedback for past sessions

"Workshop leader was fantastic. Kids loved it. Concise, interactive, good balance and kept to timing."

"Workshop was really well delivered and really engaged the young people attending. Live Space presenter was just what was needed at the end of the day, energetic and exciting. Great use of the physical activity to break up a lot of information."

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2026 Themes

Each session will be based on the themes running each month:

  1. Young child and mother looking at Helen Sharman's launch couch in Into Space
    National Space Centre

    15 January

    This month's theme is Astronomical Adventures - Learn to code your own Martian Rover to tackle a range of problem-solving challenges, then discover stars, planets, and constellations in the planetarium as you explore the science and technology behind space exploration.

  2. Two children in the galleries with space gloves on
    National Space Centre

    15 April

    This month's theme is Mission Space - Discover what it takes to live and work in space today, and how we’ll keep astronauts safe on future missions to Mars. Then, explore the messier side of space travel with our fascinating and funny live talk, Grossology.

  3. Older child and Mother participating in a science experiment during Home Education Day
    National Space Centre

    10 September

    This month's theme is the Solar System - Journey through the solar system in our planetarium to explore planets, moons, and other celestial bodies. Our Education Team will then examine some of the more hazardous objects in space that could one day threaten life on Earth.

Unfortunately we have very restricted space in the classrooms, so you can book a maximum of ONE supervisory adult per child. However, if you would like to buy standard day entry to the National Space Centre for any additional adults/children, you can all spend time together in the Centre's exhibitions outside of the 30 minute talk, 60 minute workshop and 30 minute show. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times in the Centre.  

No, due to the additional workshop, talk and show there is an additional ticket for this event. Home Education Day tickets are not valid for the FREE Annual Pass upgrade.

We provide all resources required for the sessions. We strongly suggest you download the gallery trails in advance and bring those with you. Children are also encouraged to bring a water in a sealed bottle with them (to stay hydrated throughout).

No, children must be supervised by an adult at all times. 

No, the sessions have been developed specifically for that age range. It would not be fair on your child, or others in the group.

Each session will include children of differing ages and abilities. Due to the nature of the sessions, we do not have sufficient resources for children to work individually.

No, all tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. 

Please check out our Accessible Afternoons, which may be more appropriate for you and your child. We also have Space Cadets online learning you can do at home (with access to Zoom). 

Yes, the National Space Centre will be open as normal to the public, but we will not be taking school or large group bookings on this day. Workshops and talks will be exclusive to those booked on the Home Education day, however, free time in the exhibition and galleries will include any public visiting on the day.

This event is only open to individual home educators, it cannot be booked by schools or groups.

Only children booked into the activities may attend them. We have a capacity set on each session, which will include booked children and their responsible adult only

We request that there is no eating or drinking during the sessions, with the exception of water in a sealed bottle. We have a café on site that can be used during your free time, or you are most welcome to bring a packed lunch with you

Late arrival may mean you are unable to join any sessions that have already started.

Home Education Day tickets are not valid for the FREE Annual Pass upgrade.

As every child requires a parent or guardian to supervise them in the Home Education sessions we are not offering any free tickets to keep this fair for all.