Mrs Claus at Small Space
National Space Centre

Small Space Day - Christmas Special

Join us for a very special pre-Christmas Small Space Day, including a visit from Mrs Claus all the way from the North Pole!

  • 17th Dec 2025
  • Early Years Development Activities
  • Lots of Toddle Room
  • Premium Event - not included in the Annual Pass offer

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  1. Toddler and Mother enjoying Small Space day
    National Space Centre

    Small Space Mrs Santa Special

    Join us for a very special pre-Christmas Small Space Day, including a visit from Mrs Claus all the way from the North Pole!

    Our friends at NORAD are getting ready to track Santa as he heads off, delivering gifts to all the children around the world.

    Come along and enjoy a special Christmas Small Space Day, with songs, stories, games and the whole Centre for the under 5s to explore.

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Activities

  1. Mother and two children in the Tinytarium
    National Space Centre

    Live Santa Science

    • 11:30, 12:30, and 13:30

    Over to the Elves to look at all the work they have to do to make Christmas magical, followed by our Sing-A-Long Snow Time Sensory Party - Time to dance and play in the snow. Lights, snow, and music all turn this into an out of this world sensory experience for the Christmas season.

  2. Mrs Claus at Small Space
    National Space Centre

    Mrs Claus Storytime

    • 11:00, 12:00, 13:00 and 14:00

    Join Mrs Claus' elves for a selection of Christmas stories, followed by a photo opportunity with Mrs Claus herself! 

  3. Very happy child with a space shuttle toy at Small Space day
    National Space Centre

    Make Reindeer Headbands

    • 11:00-15:00 (drop in)

    Looking for a special Christmas outfit to wear? Make your very own Rudolph, complete with bright colourful nose and googly eyes!

  4. Getting ready for a craft session at Small Space day
    National Space Centre

    Festive Fridge Friends

    • 11:00 - 15:00 (drop in)

    Colour in and cut out your choice of Christmas design, then pop a magnet on the back and you'll be ready to take home your very own festive fridge decoration 

  5. Young girl in the Columbus Module at Small Space Day
    National Space Centre

    Astronaut George Trail

    Astronaut George is travelling around our Solar System looking for samples that he can bring home… Can you help Astronaut George find all the missing aliens?

Happy child and mother with bubbles at Sensory play at Small Space Day
National Space Centre

Small Space Day is a Premium Event (Annual Passes are not valid) for toddlers and families looking for festive fun early years development.

Over the Christmas period we have something for everybody to enjoy:

  • 07 and 21 December - Santa Sunday - families and children 5+
  • 14 December - The Grinch / The Grinch Who Stole Christmas Film Club - families with older children, and adults
  • 17 December - Small Space Day - great for toddlers

 

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2.0 characters in the Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium
National Space Centre

Planetarium Show

All day tickets include a fulldome planetarium show on your first visit. For Small Space Day we have three shows to choose from, including a very special show, created for toddlers to enjoy.

One show is included in your first visit. If you would like to add a second show, you can purchase additional tickets for £3 per person from the ticket desk.

  1. Astronaut George Show
    NSC Creative

    Astronaut George Show

    • 10:45, 11:10, 11:35, 12:00, 13:10, and 13:35

    Which is the best planet to live on? What dangers will he find? But most importantly – will he find any alien friends to play with? Find out in this interplanetary adventure!

  2. Footprint on Mars from One Step Beyond
    NSC Creative

    One Step Beyond

    • 12:30 and 15:10

    From our first baby steps we become dedicated explorers of our environment. The last century has seen us take our boldest step yet, into the deadly vacuum of space, to set our feet on the Moon. As we push ourselves to explore further and take our next big step, where might our curiosity lead us? The red planet, Mars, has long captured our imagination, but if we want to take our first steps on another planet, it won’t be an easy ride. How can governments, private companies, and people from all walks of life come together to tackle these extraordinary challenges, and could we uncover evidence of ancient Martian life? 

    Please Note: This show includes thrilling rocket launches and landings, featuring powerful sound and dynamic visual effects. While exciting, some scenes may be intense for young children or those sensitive to loud noises and dramatic moments.

FAQs

This is a toddler event, so it is suitable for children aged 2-5. However, children younger than this may enjoy the sensory elements and children older than this will also enjoy visiting the Centre and the exhibition.

No. As the day is planned around small children and parents, we do not encourage or take group bookings. Please see our EDUCATION pages to see other programmes that will be more suitable for you.

The National Space Centre hosts four Small Space Days each year, three of which are included in the Annual Pass offer, so one ticket will gain you entry into all of them (don't forget to book your return visit online in advance). Our Small Space Mrs Santa Special is a Premium Event, so is one of the five days a year that are exempt from the Annual Pass offer (however, if you buy a ticket for this event you can enjoy the other three for FREE!) 

Yes. The event is aimed at providing a safe and educational space for all those looking to develop skills through play. We include many opportunities throughout the day, where children and parents can drop in and drop out at their leisure. We do not take large school or group bookings, so this is a special day for smaller children, or those who need a quieter and gentler pace to enjoy the Centre. You should also look out for our Accessible Afternoons and SEN/SEND Home Education Days.

No. The Centre is hosting this event for small children and their families. The galleries will be busy with children’s activities, and you will not get the best experience. Please do look at our Space Lates events, or consider visiting on a sunny weekend date, when we tend to be a lot quieter (sunny summer holiday midweek dates are also good).

No. All activities are open for children to participate in, but they must be supervised by a parent, grandparent or guardian at all times.