Families visiting London this summer can now enjoy an afternoon tea experience with a scientific twist, as the Science Museum and Benugo introduce two brand-new interactive activities designed to bring science to life at the table.
Launching from 4 June at the Gallery Café inside the Science Museum in South Kensington, the new optional add-ons combine hands-on experiments with a themed afternoon tea experience, creating a unique day out for children and adults alike.
Visitors can explore colourful chemical reactions, build simple circuits and create lava lamp-style experiments while enjoying specially crafted sweet and savoury treats.
A Family-Friendly Afternoon Tea with a Scientific Twist
The new experiences have been designed for children aged six and over, offering an engaging way to learn about science through play. Each activity is guided, safe and non-edible, with simple explanations helping young visitors understand the science behind the experiments.
Available alongside the popular afternoon tea menu, the interactive experiences encourage children to experiment, discover and explore STEM concepts in an entertaining environment.
For full details and bookings, visit the official Science Museum Afternoon Tea page.
Alien Activity Package Turns Kids into Junior Scientists
One of the standout new experiences is the Alien Activity Package, available as a £24 add-on.
The experience challenges children to help an alien prepare for school through a series of fun tabletop science experiments.
Activities include:
Cake O’Clock
Young scientists build a simple electrical circuit using cakes to power a digital clock, introducing basic principles of electricity in a memorable way.
Milk Magic
A colourful experiment using milk, food colouring and washing-up liquid demonstrates how different substances interact.
Alien Toothpaste
This foaming experiment combines bicarbonate of soda and vinegar to create a dramatic acid-base reaction that children can observe up close.
Create Your Own Lava Lamp with Liquid Lava Layers
Families looking for a shorter activity can opt for Liquid Lava Layers, a £10 add-on experience.
Children create their own lava lamp-inspired display using oil, water, coloured liquids and a fizzy tablet reaction. The experiment produces carbon dioxide bubbles that rise through the liquid, creating a striking visual effect while demonstrating how different liquids separate and react.
The activity offers an engaging introduction to density, chemical reactions and gas production in a way that is both educational and entertaining.
What’s Included in the Kids Science Afternoon Tea?
Priced at £26 per child, the Kids Science Afternoon Tea has been specially created to encourage experimentation and creativity.
Sweet treats include:
- An elemental cupcake decorated using a syringe
- Test tubes filled with popping candy, sherbet and colourful toppings
- A rocket ship cookie
- Petri dish jelly
Children can also create their own fizzy pink lemonade, adding another interactive chemistry-inspired element to the experience.
The savoury selection includes:
- Cumberland sausage roll
- Egg mayonnaise brioche
- Hummus with vegetable sticks
Traditional scones with clotted cream and jam complete the menu.
Adults Can Enjoy a Space-Themed Afternoon Tea Too
Adults aren’t left out of the fun. The Adults Science Afternoon Tea, priced at £36, offers a more sophisticated take on the science-inspired theme.
The menu features:
- Solar system cupcake
- Galaxy brownie
- Rocket ship cookie
- Petri dish jelly
- Earl Grey tea-soaked scones with clotted cream and jam
The savoury selection includes smoked salmon with cream cheese, egg mayonnaise with mustard cress, grilled peppers with hummus and a Cumberland sausage roll.
Guests can also enjoy unlimited tea and coffee throughout their visit.
When and Where to Experience It
The Science Afternoon Tea is available from Thursday to Sunday, with sittings at 12pm and 3pm. Each experience lasts approximately 90 minutes.
Location:
Gallery Café (Level 2)
Science Museum
Exhibition Road
South Kensington
London SW7 2DD
Advanced booking is recommended due to limited availability.
Booking Information
Visitors can reserve their place and purchase gift vouchers through the official Science Museum website: https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visit/food-and-drink/afternoon-tea
For more information about Benugo’s cafés and dining experiences, visit: https://www.benugo.com
You can also follow Benugo on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/benugouk
A Unique London Experience for Families
Combining hands-on learning with one of Britain’s favourite traditions, the Science Museum’s new interactive afternoon tea experiences offer families a unique way to spend time together. Whether building circuits with cakes, creating colourful reactions or watching homemade lava lamps bubble into life, the experience delivers plenty of opportunities for discovery alongside a delicious afternoon tea.
