ARCHIMEDES! AS I JUMPED OUT OF THE BATH.... (Eureka Museum)

Member Name: chrissypops

Product:	Eureka Museum
Date:	16/10/01 (1383 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: So much to do, see, touch

Disadvantages: Just make sure your not the one driving!

Eureka is situated in Halifax town centre rail station in West Yorkshire. Its easy to get to by car just leave the M62 at Exit 24 and follow the tourist signs to Eureka!. If you are coming by car don't be too shocked that you have to pay to park. As its right by the town centre and the train station people tend to use it other than to go to Eureka! It might seem unfair but the car park itself is well maintained, tidy and big. The train station is right next to Eureka! so even if you don't fancy a drive, the train journey will be exciting for the kids as well as the museum. Eureka! is a very special museum in the fact that its first interactive museum designed for children. Most of the activities are aimed at 3-12 years of age but this doesn't mean that very young children or adults wont enjoy it, because I'm certain they will.

There is definitely plenty to see and do at Eureka!, and for a day out isn't badly priced either at 5.50 for single ticket ( adult or child) or 25 pound for a saver ticket which admits up to 5 people. Children under 3 years are free and you can get group bookings for schools with discounted rates and a membership( annual) which covers single or whole families. They even do a special offer from Mondays to Fridays inclusive (term time) which visitors are admitted ½ price after 3 pm. So if you live near by and need a afternoon out 2.75 sounds like a good deal to me.

So why is Eureka! such a brilliant place to take any child. Children are encouraged to explore the world we live in but sometimes it isn't safe or there isn't time to give them the full information that they need. Eureka! gives them that safe environment and are actively encouraged to explore all the exhibits through touching, smelling as well as looking and listening. Children learn quicker and better when all their senses are used for learning and this is why since 1992 when Eureka! was opened more than 3 million people visit.
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There are 4 amazing galleries which will carry you and your children on a voyage of discovery and is split up onto 2 levels. On the ground level you can learn how to Invent, Create and Communicate in the world of Communications. You, or your child if they can get you to move from the hot spot could be a TV weather person and appear on live TV. Your family could be on the front of a newspaper or save a yacht using technology which they use in real life situations. You can learn about the wonderful world of telecommunications and practice being a switch board operator.

You can also go into the market place where you can take money out of Barclays bank and go and do some shopping in Marks and Spencer's. Be careful though as the plastic fruit isn't very edible! Make sure that you pay those bills on time by popping into the post office and learn about the first ever stamp, the Penny Black, and read up on how your letters get delivered.

If shopping and paying bills is all too much for your under five's give them a break for ½ hour in the small Jungle Jim's ( Ball pool), before heading off to the mechanics to find out how your car works.

Leading around the back of the mechanics and going up the stairs is the wonderful world of home. Here your children can play in a lovely fitted kitchen, read in the bedrooms, and play water games in the bathroom. Each room has tasks which you can follow or you can just make the rules up as you go. Be warned the bathroom can get very wet. And watch the toilet !! There must be a magnetic attraction between children and water .....could it be its fun?

Most of the second floor is taken up by How the body works ( Me and My Body and Things, (how everyday things work.) In Me and My Body you can find out how the body works and functions. You can measure your height, arm span or bone weight. You can even have a go at playing digestion pin ball or pedal an amazing skeleton bike.
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Its fascinating to see children's eyes light up at the mer sight of getting their hands into things. They can find out how day to day things work like pulleys and levers, computers and even have a go at assembling in a factory.

On the upper floor there is also an under 5s activity area which they can have some quiet time and read, draw and colour or make a variety of things all depending on the activities on offer. hen we went on Saturday, Jess made a fire engine on a stick and a number book. We also came away with half their colouring paper too.

Now after running quickly through that, you can see why you need a good 3 or 4 hours there if not the whole day, and there's more. If the weather is nice there is a host of out door activities that you can your child can go on. There are several trails or walks you can go on as well as a picnic area. There is a small cafe available but is reasonable. 85p for a cup of tea and 1.95 for a burger does seem expensive but it about going rate for these kinds of places. Its comfortable, clean, with a small play area and its nice to sit in and have a quick drink. The only disadvantage is that you can't bring your own food inside Eureka!, but are welcome to eat it at the picnic area.

The gift shop on the other hand is very affordable and so it has to be with school children visiting. For Eureka! mofited stuff prices start at 99p for rubbers, plastic cups at 1.99 and nice pens for 2.99. Very affordable for children who want to take something back for the parents. The gift shop also do a small range of books to do with what's on offer at Eureka! and also a small section of toys.

When we went we must of spent a good 4 hours there and had a really good afternoon. I live in South Yorkshire so it was 40 minutes drive for us, straight up the M1 and onto the M62 Interchange. Following the signs for Eureka was easy and that's saying something as Tim is as blind as a bat
with no sense of direction! Jessica, who is 3 ½ has been before really enjoyed herself, learned and took in quite a lot but slept very well that night. Lucy who is 16 months enjoyed pottering about and even had a go at being a TV presenter. I must admit she made a better job at it then me.

If your bored on afternoon and the kids are driving you up the wall do what Archimedes did when he jumped into that bath and shout EUREKA! Go and you too will find out why this place is fantastic.

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