Anna Kucera
Brainiac Detective Academy
Hands on activity with the Brainiac Detective Academy
Brainiac Live, the UK's leading interactive science event, is coming to Plymouth this Easter weekend with support from the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership. The Brainiac team will be landing at Royal William Yard with their Astronaut Academy and are calling on all budding Brainiacs to join them on their most of out-of-this-world challenge yet: the Mission to Mars.
The mission
It’s 2037 and the Brainiac team are ready to explore new worlds and the red planet but need the people of Plymouth’s help to design, build and launch rockets suitable.
The Brainiac team will be on hand to help families build their ultimate space craft but they must choose their craft materials wisely, understand the science of space and remember it’s t-minus 60 and the clock is ticking to Launch.
'Out of this world' excited
Jon Walton, CEO, Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, said: “We’re ‘out of this world’ excited to be able to bring the Brainiac Live roadshow to Plymouth. With thanks to the team at Royal William Yard who have been instrumental in the planning for this event by supporting us with a suitable venue across the Easter weekend. This is a first for the city and is made possible thanks to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The Astronaut Academy will be fun for all the family.”
This hugely entertaining, hour long hands-on immersive activity, led by the Brainiacs, will provide Plymouth’s young astronauts and their families an opportunity to test their rocket design, engineering and space exploration skills.
Brainiac Live is designed to ignite a passion for science in children and adults alike through a variety of interactive exhibits, workshops and demonstrations.
Dan Colman, Brainiac Live Producer, said: “We are delighted to be working with the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership to bring the Brainiac team to Plymouth with the Brainiac Astronaut Academy.
"After more than 15 years touring with the world’s favourite science show, it’s great to see families continue to laugh and learn together with the latest Brainiac challenge!
"It’s fantastic to have the opportunity to work with Jon Walton and Kim Downer from PWP as well as the team at Royal William Yard to help introduce great family shows and experiences to new live audiences and be part of these exciting developments.”
Event details
The Brainiac Live Astronaut Academy touches down at Royal William Yard from Friday 29 March until Monday 1 April. One-hour long sessions will be held at 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm in the Brewhouse building (next door to Wagamama). Family tickets are priced at £8 (for a maximum of six people).
Booking is essential via Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brainiac-astronaut-academy-tickets-859702482267
Reach Royal William Yard on foot, by car, Plymouth Citybus number 34 service, by Beryl bikes and by ferry. The Royal William Yard, Barbican and Mount Edgcumbe Ferry resumes its daily service on Good Friday (29 March). A new ferry route will offer free trips for the day between Saltash and Royal William Yard on 30 March. Plymouth Boat Trips will run the service, which is part of a new scheme running at Saltash Waterside. Trips will run 10am-4pm; they will be free and offered on a first come first served basis.
Other Easter activities at Royal William Yard
Egg-cellent Events
Hunt down the clues on a brand new Easter Egg Hunt and earn a treat at the end! Running from 30 March–7 April, 12-5pm, the trail is totally free to get involved in. Children can grab an Easter Egg trail map from a number of participating restaurants and cafes, before heading off to spot the Easter eggs around Royal William Yard, and then claim their prize. All of the details of where to go and what to do are available at www.royalwilliamyard.com/easter
Amazing activities
South West SUP has an Easter SUP Club running over the holidays, providing a chance for kids to go on a real adventure. Sessions will run from 10am-1pm on 2-5 April and 9-12 April. Children (age 9-16) can learn the fundamentals of paddleboarding and water safety in a fun and supportive environment. All equipment, tuition and a healthy lunch is provided. It is £30 per session or weekly pass £100. Sessions are free for children taking part in the Fit and Fed scheme. Book here.
RAMP (Real Art Make Print) will host Mini Print sessions for 3-7 year olds in the Ocean Studios café. Borrow a print kit and learn how to work with the materials. A ticket is £8 for up to 4 people. Taking place from 10am-11:30am, on 30 March, families can create Easter bunting (using sponges and stencils) and on 13 April it’s a Springtime Printing session (involving monoprinting flowers and foliage) - book here. Ocean Studios will also host an enchanted experience with Mildred Tumbleweed on 30 March at 10:30am and 1pm. The magical workshop is aimed at 3-8 year olds and is £20 a ticket – book here.
Everyman cinema will have some Easter treats in store for families. An animated favourite returns, with Kung Fu Panda 4 set to be released just in time for the holidays. The Throwback film on 3 March and 2 April will be the original Mary Poppins. Coming with a complimentary drink and popcorn, it’s an Easter screening that is "practically perfect in every way.”
Towards the end of the Easter holidays, there will be two markets, with plenty of locally-made delights to tempt, taste and take home. Native Makers market will take place at Ocean Studios on 6 April. The Good Food & Craft Market will be out on the Green at Royal William Yard on 7 April, 10am-3pm. A free shuttle bus will run a loop from the City Centre to make it even easier to get to the market on the Sunday. Find all the shuttle bus details here.
Family feasting
Independent chocolatier, Domea Favour, will deliver a classic Easter treat with aplomb. Handcrafted, jewel-toned, freshly made chocolate Easter eggs are unlike anything you’ve seen (or eaten!) before. An array of other chocolate creations – including plenty of pocket-money friendly delicacies – will be on offer.
Burger and barbeque experts, Hub Box, will run a ‘kids eat for a fiver deal’ through the holidays This means children can feast on a main, side, drink, ice cream (from 2-5 April and 8–12 April, 12-5pm, T&Cs apply). Plenty is on offer for adults too, with a £9.95 lunch deal, £6.95 soup and toastie offer and 2 cocktails for £14.
The Shack is back! The popular café, just metres from the water at Firestone Arch, will reopen on 30 March – and after that it will be open every Friday-Sunday, 8am-3pm. Known for its incredible cakes and hot drinks, there will be a brand new menu with dishes including smoothie bowls. Pulling out all the stops for Easter, there will be hot cross buns, mini-egg cake and more!
BLOCK Café will have hot chocolates, soft drinks and an array of cakes to enjoy – and to make it even more family-friendly, they will have board games and colouring books available to use for some free fun (and a few minutes peace for adults to relax with a coffee!).