CATEGORY · RAINY DAY APPROVED

Immersive & Touring Exhibitions in Bristol

Bristol's take on this is more about hands-on tinkering than big-budget projection shows. The Mount Without, a former church close to the centre, turns exhibitions and dance into something you can join in with, including eco resin homeware classes, and it's free to visit. Pervasive Media Studio, also near the centre, opens its doors on Fridays so you and the kids can talk to the actual teams building Bristol's play, robotics and interactive media projects, with a hearing loop and baby change on site. Out at Yate, Simwrx swaps galleries for a warehouse of screen-based games, from augmented reality darts and pool to full motion racing sims, also free to get in. For free days out, both Mount Without and Simwrx cost nothing to enter, though Simwrx is more suited to older children keen on games and simulators than toddlers. Pervasive Media Studio works well if your kids are curious about how things are made rather than just looking at finished pieces. All three are indoor, so none of this depends on the weather, and Simwrx has parking and food on site if you're making a day of the trip out to Yate.

✓ 4 places✦ 3 free to visit