Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You
- Jennifer Kozyra
- Feb 23
- 5 min read
Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester is jam packed with colourful hands on displays and kid friendly information which is both fun and educational. The exhibition delves into the fascinating world of human senses. This interactive experience is designed to engage visitors of all ages, particularly families with children aged 5 and above. The Exhibition is running 14th February 2025 -4th January 2026
Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You brings the hit CBBC show Operation Ouch! to life. This time focusing on the journey through your senses as you’re shrunk down and squeeze through an ear canal into Dr Chris’ brain. Once you’re inside you can get hands on with over 30 interactives exploring the incredible world of our senses. Highlights include poking around inside a giant eyeball, discovering the smell library and testing out how good your sense of touch is.
Inside you will explore the five primary senses—touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste—as well as lesser-known senses that help with balance, sleep regulation, and bladder control.
Top Info
📅14 February 2025 – 4 January 2026
⏰ Open every day 10-5pm
📱 Pre Book tickets
⭐ Get there early to avoid it being busy
💫 Explore the five primary senses—touch, sight, hearing, smell & taste
👃 Pick up a Bogies headband to wear
🎟 Tickets are £10. Family discounts available.
🎟 Ages 3 and under free.
🎟 Free companion tickets are available
⏰ We spent 90 mins inside
♿ Wheelchair & pushchair friendly
👍 Super accessible for all
🪢 Spend the rest of your day exploring the museum
🌎 Special Exhibitions Gallery, Level -1, New Warehouse
👶 Recommended for ages 5 and older
🌎 Liverpool Rd, Manchester M3 4JP
⭐ Special Mention
I wanted to highlight how inclusive and accessible this exhibit is.
• They have made it suitable for all abilities.
• The rooms are easy to navigate with smooth, flat paths and plenty of space between activities.
• Easy to read and understand information
• A relaxed space to take time out and relax
• Talks about children with medical conditions to help other understand
🙂Our Verdict
My 10-year-old absolutely loved this experience! There was so much to see and do, with plenty of interactive activities that kept her engaged. From watching videos and learning fascinating facts to using her own ideas to solve challenges, it was a perfect mix of fun and education.
We spent around 90 minutes exploring the exhibit, making sure we didn’t miss anything. The layout feels a bit like a maze, with different areas, paths, and even a tunnel to navigate, adding to the excitement. The exhibit does a fantastic job of demonstrating how all our senses are connected and work together.
There is just so much to see, watch, read and do inside the exhibit. It's perfect for a wide range of ages and everyone will get something different from the information presented. It really is the perfect way to get kids learning and exploring the human body while having fun
If your child enjoys the TV show Operation Ouch! or is simply curious about hands-on learning and science, this is definitely an experience worth checking out!
Find out about each Zone:
📺 Welcome Video:
Upon entering, you are immediately immersed in a sensory adventure. First you get to watch a 5minute video of the doctors explaining how you have been shrunk down to the size of an ant and be squeezed through an ear canal into Dr Chris’ brain!
🧠 Brains:
Start your own chain reaction with dominoes to discover how our nerves send messages, sort brain signals with puzzles and see how fast your reactions are.
👃 Smell and taste
Take a whiff in the smell library, Test Dr Chris's reactions to stinky smells and explore your favourite foods
🤚 Touch
Can you name items just by touch, find out why you laugh when tickled, and why hugs make you happy.
👁 Sight
Poke around inside a giant eyeball and have a go with a glow up pen, be confused by optical illusions and find out how we see.
👂Hearing
Bang on an enormous ear drum, compete with friends and families to identify a variety of sounds
❓ Mindboosters:
Chill out inside a relaxed space. Take a break and reset.
👄 Videos & Artifacts
The exhibition is enriched by the presence of digital guides: Dr. Chris, Dr. Xand, and Dr. Ronx from the popular BBC Children's series "Operation Ouch!" Their engaging video segments provide insightful explanations and add a familiar touch for fans of the show. Additionally, the exhibition features intriguing artifacts from the Science Museum Group's collection, such as historical ear trumpets and a brain-scanning helmet used in research over four decades ago. These objects offer a tangible connection to the history of medical science and its evolution.
💖Accessible for All
Accessibility is a key focus of the museum, with sensory-friendly sessions available for visitors who prefer a quieter environment. These sessions feature adjusted sound levels and reduced capacity to ensure a comfortable experience for everyone.
Relaxed sessions can be booked online:
Thursday 20 March
Sunday 11 May
Sunday 13 July
Sunday 21 September
Sunday 16 November
🎟️Tickets
Tickets are reasonably priced at £10, with free entry for children aged 3 and under, and family discounts are also available. Given the popularity of the exhibition, it's advisable to book in advance to secure your preferred time slot.
Merchandise
A range of interactive and entertaining Operation Ouch!-inspired toys, games, kits and experiments will be available to buy online and in the Science and Industry Museum shop.
Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You is a must-visit exhibition that combines fun and learning in a unique and interactive setting. It successfully brings the wonders of human biology to life, inspiring curiosity and a deeper understanding of how our bodies interpret the world around us.
Press Visit Feb 2025
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