Didn't know where to put this, but its a children's day out so it can go here! I took my little boy to Eureka! in Halifax for his 3rd birthday on 31/07. Eureka! is a children's museum, the exhibits are all things that children come across in their daily lives, how the toilet works, the body, music, cars and engines etc, etc,etc,etc,etc. All the exhibits are completely hands on, nothing patronising or fragile, no where that they can't go.
The first floor is more for the younger children really, I would say up to about 8 yrs old. With the music room where they can sit and bounce on stools that honk as they move, theres also a small 'Jungle ' play area for toddlers to let off steam. There is a mock up of Marks and Spencer where they can don a midget uniform and weigh fruit, work on the checkout etc. There's a Post Office, they can work behind the counter, or wear a postperson's uniform and deliver letters to different places in Eureka! then there is the 'house', In the bathroom you can see how a toilet works, theres a better equiped pretend kitchen than I have at home and a relaxing bedroom. My little boy adored the Garage area, where they can sit in the cab of a lorry, drive a car thro'a pretend carwash......the list of things to do is endless!
Upstairs is really for older children, its more scientific, bit cramped and overwhelming for a toddler (and his mum!). The only thing that I felt could be improved was the cafe. It seemed to be an after thought. The seating area is cramped and badly designed with uncomfortable seating and no room allowed between the seating arrangements for pushchairs to move, but there was fresh fruit on the dessert menu!