Most museums have something to interest and entertain little minds, but Eureka! is a completely different ball game. The children’s museum in Halifax, West Yorkshire, is dedicated to children and every single exhibit is made to be pushed, pulled, messed with, climbed on and played with. When I told my kids we were going there for the day, they were looking forward to it but I don’t think they realised how much fun they would have until we arrived.
I think Sam’s exact words were: ‘Mum, you never told me it was this cool!’
We’d been invited to visit the Christmas grotto and a festive show, Night Lights, but I assured them there was plenty of time to have a look round the rest of the museum before we had to leave. We did have time for a look round it all, but I know they would absolutely love to go back, so it’s lucky it’s not too far away from my parents’ house and a good place to meet up with some of my close friends from school and their little ones.
Eureka opened in the early 90s so I remember when it opened, but I was probably a little bit too teenage to appreciate how much fun it was for kids. The museum is split into six themed galleries, packed with hands-on exhibits. The first we visited was called Desert Discovery, and had a large machine in the centre which fascinated both Sam and Florence (aged six and two). Sam spent ages putting plastic balls into a hole before turning a handle and watching a giant conveyor belt lift them up into the air, across the room and down a chute. Flo was distracted by the mini soft play area nearby, set under a desert palm tree, and the darker tunnels with animal facts to explore.
We then visited Santa’s grotto, and I can honestly say it was one of the nicest ones we have ever been to. A friendly ‘elf’ chatted to us at the door, and when she led us in, Father Christmas looked pretty convincing in his tastefully decorated home. He spent about five minutes with us all and they were wide-eyed listening to his tales of elves playing with the toys and how many mince pies he could eat. It was much more than just a quick question and then you are moved on, it was more like a private audience with Santa – with plenty of chance to take some photos.
We then moved to the light show, which was held in the theatre on the ground floor. It was two actors telling a Christmas story – it was fun, they kept their young audience involved and more importantly, captivated. Flo was a bit shy at first but soon got into it, and Sam said it was one of his favourite parts of the day.
We had so much fun exploring the rest of Eureka! There’s a play town square at the centre, mocked up with small versions of everything including a Halifax bank, M&S food, a garage, car wash, and miniature Post Office. This is where Florence really had her fun. This girl loves to shop, and wherever we go she grabs a basket and fills it with random things that catch her eye. Imagine her joy when she could take a toddler-sized trolley and fill it with plastic baguettes! What more does a two-year-old need?!
I think our favourite gallery though was upstairs, called All About Me. The newest addition, this area was full of exhibits about the human body, showing kids what their body parts look like, how they work and most of all, letting them learn through play. You can see Sam riding a bike here, which was next to a skeleton on a bike, set up to mirror what our bones look like when we’re doing exercise. Flo really loved the set up baby clinic, where you could pretend to feel a baby’s heartbeat in its expectant mother’s tummy and weigh and measure a toy baby.
We even got to experience what happens at a Eureka! party, when we had lunch followed by the choice of a science show or fairy stories in the historic station building next door.
The whole day was just lovely and Sam has been asking when we can go back, so I’m sure we will be back at Eureka! before long.
If you’d like to go to the Christmas events, the grotto is on until 23 December, and the light show runs until New Year’s Eve. The museum will be closed from 24-26 December.
I have a family annual pass to give away to one lucky reader. If you’d like to enter, just fill out the form below. Good luck!
x Julia
26 Comments
Carie
December 12, 2015 at 7:51 amOh that looks incredible! It’s not too far from my inlaws so I might have to put it on the rainy day list , thank you 🙂
Carie recently posted…And now you are three
Rainbeaubelle
December 13, 2015 at 8:41 pmYes you should do, it really is so good for the kids x
Victoria Shiel
December 14, 2015 at 10:15 amEureka though I’ve not actually taken my daughter yet but my son used to love it & so did I as a child
Mummy Fever
December 14, 2015 at 6:10 pmWe love Eureka
Mummy Fever recently posted…Fun inspiration for your child’s bedroom
Beth @ Twinderelmo
December 14, 2015 at 6:18 pmWe love the big Birmingham museums x
Beth @ Twinderelmo recently posted…Silent Sunday [13/12/15]
samantha price
December 14, 2015 at 10:05 pmmy grandson has been here and he loves it
John Tunnicliffe
December 14, 2015 at 10:33 pmVisited Eureka in the Summer, we had a fantastic time there
Mini Travellers/Mini Ventures
December 15, 2015 at 4:39 pmLove Sam’s comment, I remember Lily’s being a similar – Mum I thought we were going to a museum – this is amazing!!
Mini Travellers/Mini Ventures recently posted…Feeling Grateful At Christingle
Hayley (@hayleyfromhome)
December 16, 2015 at 2:02 pmI remember going here when I was in Primary School and thinking it was the best place ever!! I loved the little shopping area, how cute is Flo with her trolley and baguettes?! it’s on our list to visit when the boys are a little older. Always looks like such a fun day out. xx
Hayley (@hayleyfromhome) recently posted…Christmas Gift Giving with #GeorgeSecretSanta
claire woods
December 16, 2015 at 8:54 pmOur favourite museum is @bristol.
Erin - Yorkshire Tots
December 16, 2015 at 9:22 pmWe love Eureka too but we’ve never been for Christmas. It’s great to hear what’s on – the Santa’s grotto sounds fantastic and I know my kids would love the light show! Thanks so much for sharing and linking up with #YorkshireFamily
Erin – Yorkshire Tots recently posted…5 fabulous gifts made in Yorkshire
Jo Addison
December 17, 2015 at 11:02 amOur favourite museums is Eureka! We love it and go about once a month!
Rachel white
December 17, 2015 at 9:15 pmEureka.. the kid’s LOVE it there!
kimberley ryan
December 17, 2015 at 11:20 pmEureka has to be the best, especially with my young ones, there is just so much for them to do
Felicity Johnson-Standley
December 18, 2015 at 11:58 pmI love the Manchester Museum as the TRex goes down a treat. My eldest would love to learn more about science in Eureka though.
Janine C
December 20, 2015 at 2:31 amWithout sounding cheesy, my favourite is Eureka! Growing up in Huddersfied, extremely close to Halifax, we went there a lot when I was younger. My niece is now getting to an age where days out like this would be fun for her (she is nearly 18 months old), so would love to win this to take her 🙂
Karen Howden
December 20, 2015 at 11:25 amWe took the beaver and cub scouts to Eureka and I must say a good time was had by all. Would love to go back again and spend time this time with my family
Vera Bahounkova
December 20, 2015 at 3:54 pmLondon Transport Museum  
Mrs Rachel Heap
December 20, 2015 at 6:30 pmManchester Science Museum is pretty good
Petra Hora
December 20, 2015 at 10:39 pmWe love London Transport Museum
Rachel Butterworth
December 20, 2015 at 11:26 pmBeamish.
katy spence
December 21, 2015 at 12:24 amwe love the natural history
Clare Hubbard
December 21, 2015 at 7:37 amWe love Eureka, very educational and it’s not too far from us
LEE HARDY
December 21, 2015 at 3:36 pmI like Leeds Royal Armouries.
Nancy Bradford
December 21, 2015 at 6:28 pmEureka is my favourite museum for families x
Eileen Tingle
December 21, 2015 at 10:05 pmIt has to be Eureka