A Science Museum exclusive, the Alien Kids Christmas Jumper is an out of this world, seasonal sensation!

The new mechanics laboratory for small children, with plenty of components that are easy to assemble, paves the way for the super-kit with robots that move and walk thanks to a motor-driven module. Bring the wonder of the Solar System into any room! This one’s great for kids interested in the stars, constellations and the Universe.Zeno R25 is one of the most expressive humanoid robots commercially available. Visitors can see what Zeno 'sees' on a screen and the robot will direct you to move if not standing in the correct place to interact with it. This robot replicates visitor's facial expressions. A large construction laboratory for stimulating creativity and imagination. All the essentials for letting the child freely test his ideas and concretely verify the solutions. Robina (Robot as Intelligent Assistant) is on display in the Museum's main entrance, where it will be seen by thousands of visitors to the Museum each day. Robina was developed to promote Toyota's vision of the personal robots we might one day own. From 2007 to 2009, this Robina model was used as a museum tour guide. It was then used for research before retiring in 2012. Simulate the movement of a human hand using this incredible Hydraulic Cyborg Hand Kit. Made from 203 easy-to-assemble pieces, this robotic hand comes in kit form – so there’s lots of fun to be had building it, and even more fun playing with it! Robots is split into five sections, exploring how robots and society have been shaped by religious belief and our understanding of the universe (Marvel), the industrial revolution (Obey) and popular culture (Dream). Stories from those building robots today, including five filmed interviews with roboticists offering a glimpse inside their workplaces are on show (Build) alongside the latest humanoid robots (Imagine). More information about the exhibition layout can be found in the Robots booklet.

The Silver Swan is an amazing evocation of life. We are honoured that the Bowes Museum has loaned us this treasured object for Robots and delighted that visitors will see the Swan on display in all its glory." This particular cyborg hand is powered by hydraulics alone, allowing children to learn all about mechanics and engineering from a young age. A handy gift indeed!

Science fiction gifts

Now your little ones can feel extra-terrestrial when they’re enjoying the festivities this holiday season. Thanks to National Lottery players, the Heritage Lottery Fund invests money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about—from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. Visitors to Robots will see the greatest collection of humanoids ever assembled. This stunning exhibition explores the fascinating question of why, rather than how, we build robots. To look through the eyes of those who built, commissioned or gazed upon these mesmerising mechanical creations over the past 500 years, reveals so much about humanity's hopes, fears, dreams and delusions." Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester (part of the Science Museum Group): 19 October 2017 to 15 April 2018