Every year, New Scientist Live puts on an incredible exhibition featuring some of the most innovative scientific advancements and engineering marvels.
Review by East London Mum, Chloe Tyler.
Designed to inspire budding young scientists but also to appeal to adults, I was a little concerned New Scientist Live would be a little too high-brow for my 6-year-old.
I needn’t have been worried at all!
There was such a variety of things to see and so many of the stalls featured activities aimed at children, not to mention the fantastic exhibitors. You could see them flipping from serious conversations with adults about quantum physics, to discussing career plans with teenagers, to suddenly crouching down and capturing my son’s imagination with a specially tailored activity for children.
He loved filling up his tote bag with all the giveaways! From stickers to chocolates, posters and puzzles, my son had all the motivation he needed to take part in loads of activities.

Immersive Experiences
There were so many incredible experiences it’s almost impossible to pick out highlights. Virtual reality (VR) experiences ranged from riding a roller coaster to walking through a nuclear bunker and a medical ward. Strangely, the VR experience that captured my son’s attention the most was not the Red Arrows Cockpit simulator but simulated audiences for practising public speaking! He spent a good while teaching a group of sims about the times table and his eyes sparkled with glee when he saw he had reached level 10 from his lecture.
He did enjoy climbing into the cockpit of a Red Arrows plane, however, and also a giant combine harvester where his imagination could go wild as he pressed the pedals and flicked endless switches. There were long queues for these but that was balanced by the fact that you didn’t feel rushed when it was your turn, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the experience.

Creepy Crawlies and Dino Bones!
Whilst I slightly hung back, my son moved right in to hold a giant stick insect and a hissing cockroach. We both left with a great appreciation of mini-beasts from all the fascinating facts and displays, not to mention pockets bulging with seed balls for scattering later in the grass verges.
There was also a dinosaur experience where you could dig for fossils and watch a show for younger children. Giant dinosaurs were roaming around all the stalls throughout the day reminding you of their presence. My son was entranced by the genuine fossils and wildlife objects presented and drifted back to show the megalodon tooth to each new friend he made.
Fuel for Learning
All that learning is bound to make anyone hungry and there were plenty of food options within the arena and in the Excel Centre itself. I like to come prepared and was pleased to be able to take advantage of a big picnic area where we could enjoy food from home which meant we didn’t have to stop for long!
A Jam Packed Day of Science Fun
While we had fun all day, the sneaky backdrop of knowing your child is learning so much about science and seeing their minds open with the wealth of possibility makes it all the better. To be honest, it was even a school day for us parents.
We had rough plans for the afternoon thinking we might be done after a few hours, but ultimately, pushed them to the side as we were having so much fun. In the end, we were one of the last people being ushered out the door as the loudspeakers informed everyone it was closing time.
Back at home, my son emptied his bag of treasures from the fair and has proudly shown them to every visitor since. The fair has opened up so many ideas for him and now he cannot decide if he is going to be a nurse, an astronaut, a pilot, an entomologist (the insects!), a conservationist, a palaeontologist or a public speaker!
So, whether your child has shown an interest in science or not, get down to the next fair. Not only will you spend a fun day out, but you’ll also be cheekily filling their heads with useful information and opportunities.
Why not take advantage of their early bird offer and get organised for next year?
Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th October 2025
ExCeL London Royal Victoria Dock,
1 Western Gateway,
London E16 1XL,
United Kingdom.
Easily accessible by the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) and Elizabeth Line