AT SOME point surely every child has expressed an ambition to one day become an astronaut.

And at the National Space Centre in Leicester, both kids and grown-ups have the opportunity to try out a prospective career in space, even if it is just for the day.

Louise and Chris Walker took their young family – seven-year-old Josh, Mitchell, aged five, and two-year-old Kaitlin – to visit the centre for the first time.

"There is lots for the children to do as there are plenty of hands-on activities and more than 150 interactive exhibits," says 27-year-old Louise, from Greydawn Road, Hanley.

"When you first arrive, you're greeted by a huge cone which holds a 42-metre rocket, visible from outside.

"Then once you are inside the centre, you can take a glass elevator to ride up alongside it with different levels for you to get off and learn interesting facts about space."

As Louise explains, the centre is divided into different 'zones', and the first section is devoted to the life of an astronaut.

"There are life-sized modules for you to explore which show how astronauts survive in space from what they eat, what they wear, to how they sleep and go to the toilet," she says. "There are even tests to see how you would cope in that environment which kept us entertained for some time."

In a separate area, visitors scan their entry ticket to gain access to a series of trials designed to discover the spacemen of the future.

"You can find out what it is like to jump on the moon," continues Louise. "Then a 3D ride takes you through meteorite storms and on ice canyons."

Smaller children need not feel left out either. A toddlers' soft play area offers jigsaws, puzzles and toys with seating for the adults, who can sit back and watch them play.

Further sections in the centre are themed around planets, distant worlds and the astronomers who study them, but for Louise, one of the most impressive displays is the Space Theatre.

"The space theatre is the largest planetarium in the UK," says Louise. "When you walk in the room, it looks so big because of its 360 degree screen right above your head.

"We watched We Are Astronomers, narrated by David Tennant, which explains what astronomers do and how they get information from space using the latest technology compared with how they used to find things out in the past.

"I really enjoyed this and so did the children. I have never known them to be so quiet, but then you feel so involved by the whole experience."

When it comes to refreshments, there is an eating area underneath the rocket centrepiece with baby facilities including high chairs and a microwave.

Boosters restaurant sells hot and cold drinks, cakes, soups and sandwiches. Meanwhile there is an outside picnic area for the warmer summer months.

"I think it is worth the money to get in," says Louise. "You could easily spend a whole day there and for a family of four it cost £41. The parking costs £2 for the whole day.

"I think that having the interactive exhibits makes learning a lot more interesting. That's why we will be definitely be going back again."