Outings

A Eureka! Christmas and win an annual pass

Eureka Christmas grotto http://rainbeaubelle.com

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.

Sam at Eureke http://rainbeaubelle.com

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?!

Eureka think halifax http://rainbeaubelle.com

Eureka shopping

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Eureka garage http://rainbeaubelle.com

Eureka

Eureka robot

Eureka post office http://rainbeaubelle.com

Me and Mine kids

Eureka science party

#YorkshireFamily with Yorkshire Tots
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26 Comments

  • Reply
    Carie
    December 12, 2015 at 7:51 am

    Oh 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 threeMy Profile

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      December 13, 2015 at 8:41 pm

      Yes you should do, it really is so good for the kids x

  • Reply
    Victoria Shiel
    December 14, 2015 at 10:15 am

    Eureka though I’ve not actually taken my daughter yet but my son used to love it & so did I as a child

  • Reply
    Mummy Fever
    December 14, 2015 at 6:10 pm

    We love Eureka
    Mummy Fever recently posted…Fun inspiration for your child’s bedroomMy Profile

  • Reply
    Beth @ Twinderelmo
    December 14, 2015 at 6:18 pm

    We love the big Birmingham museums x
    Beth @ Twinderelmo recently posted…Silent Sunday [13/12/15]My Profile

  • Reply
    samantha price
    December 14, 2015 at 10:05 pm

    my grandson has been here and he loves it

  • Reply
    John Tunnicliffe
    December 14, 2015 at 10:33 pm

    Visited Eureka in the Summer, we had a fantastic time there

  • Reply
    Mini Travellers/Mini Ventures
    December 15, 2015 at 4:39 pm

    Love 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 ChristingleMy Profile

  • Reply
    Hayley (@hayleyfromhome)
    December 16, 2015 at 2:02 pm

    I 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 #GeorgeSecretSantaMy Profile

  • Reply
    claire woods
    December 16, 2015 at 8:54 pm

    Our favourite museum is @bristol.

  • Reply
    Erin - Yorkshire Tots
    December 16, 2015 at 9:22 pm

    We 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 YorkshireMy Profile

  • Reply
    Jo Addison
    December 17, 2015 at 11:02 am

    Our favourite museums is Eureka! We love it and go about once a month!

  • Reply
    Rachel white
    December 17, 2015 at 9:15 pm

    Eureka.. the kid’s LOVE it there!

  • Reply
    kimberley ryan
    December 17, 2015 at 11:20 pm

    Eureka has to be the best, especially with my young ones, there is just so much for them to do

  • Reply
    Felicity Johnson-Standley
    December 18, 2015 at 11:58 pm

    I love the Manchester Museum as the TRex goes down a treat. My eldest would love to learn more about science in Eureka though.

  • Reply
    Janine C
    December 20, 2015 at 2:31 am

    Without 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 🙂

  • Reply
    Karen Howden
    December 20, 2015 at 11:25 am

    We 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

  • Reply
    Vera Bahounkova
    December 20, 2015 at 3:54 pm

    London Transport Museum  

  • Reply
    Mrs Rachel Heap
    December 20, 2015 at 6:30 pm

    Manchester Science Museum is pretty good

  • Reply
    Petra Hora
    December 20, 2015 at 10:39 pm

    We love London Transport Museum

  • Reply
    Rachel Butterworth
    December 20, 2015 at 11:26 pm

    Beamish.

  • Reply
    katy spence
    December 21, 2015 at 12:24 am

    we love the natural history

  • Reply
    Clare Hubbard
    December 21, 2015 at 7:37 am

    We love Eureka, very educational and it’s not too far from us

  • Reply
    LEE HARDY
    December 21, 2015 at 3:36 pm

    I like Leeds Royal Armouries.

  • Reply
    Nancy Bradford
    December 21, 2015 at 6:28 pm

    Eureka is my favourite museum for families x

  • Reply
    Eileen Tingle
    December 21, 2015 at 10:05 pm

    It has to be Eureka

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