Are you looking for the best things to do with kids in Lisburn? The Ulster Aviation Society is a fantastic volunteer-run aviation museum where children can get up close to real jets, helicopters, and historic aircraft. Housed in a genuine World War II hangar, this heritage center brings local aviation history to life.

Prices start from £0.00 as entry to this incredible hangar is entirely based on voluntary donations, though pre-booking a group or family tour is highly recommended. There are no fixed ticket fees required to explore the historic collection.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines thrilling engineering with interactive history, this aircraft museum is a top choice. It offers an active, educational day out where children can sit in real cockpits and learn from passionate local guides.

Key Features

• Educational Day Out: Children learn about the engineering behind flight, local wartime history, and the evolution of Cold War jet technology.
• Interactive Exhibits: Several of the preserved aircraft allow kids to climb inside the cockpit, providing hands-on experience with real flight controls.
• Sensory Play Elements: Hearing the echoes inside a massive World War II hangar and touching the cold metal of historic fighter jets makes learning tactile.

Detailed Highlights

• The Phantom FG.1 Jet: A legendary Cold War fighter aircraft that kids can see up close. Children love marveling at its massive size, twin engines, and formidable design.
• The Spitfire Replica: A beautifully constructed scale model of the legendary World War II fighter plane. Young historians can learn about its famous role in the Battle of Britain.
• The Wessex Helicopter: A classic search and rescue helicopter with its distinctive nose design. Kids can climb inside the cabin to imagine what it was like to rescue people at sea.
• The Cold War Cockpits: Interactive cockpit sections where kids can actually sit in the pilot's seat. Flicking the switches and holding the control sticks makes them feel like real jet pilots.
• The Vintage Aero Engines: A collection of roaring Rolls-Royce Merlin and turbine engines stripped down for display. Aspiring engineers can see exactly how gears and pistons make these massive machines fly.

Specific Named Objects & Features

• McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1
• Blackburn Buccaneer S2B
• Westland Wessex HC.2 Helicopter
• Short Tucano Trainer Aircraft
• Canberra PR.9 Cockpit Section
• Rolls-Royce Merlin Engine Display
• Sherwood Ranger Microlight Aircraft
• Grumman Wildcat Wreckage Recovery Pieces