Read our review of a family day out at Eureka! The National Children’s Museum in the north of England
Our top tips for taking children to this popular museum in Halifax
What is it?
Eureka! isn’t a place with just a children’s section, a children’s corner – it’s completely dedicated to little ones.
This interactive museum aims to make learning fun for children aged 0 to 11.
Where is it?
It has been open for 25 years in the centre of Halifax, next to Halifax Railway Station.
The museum has six zones:
All About Me
We loved this part of the museum, an interactive learning area about health and the human body.
You can get a whole body scan, talk to a brilliant robot called Zoom which entertained our children for ages and do an ultrasound on a pretend mum.
Our children loved Zoom the robot
It is very hands-on with a chance to learn about senses, bones and healthy eating, all in a bright, airy space.
It is on the top floor at one end of the museum, so make sure you leave enough time for this area during your visit.
The dental section will raise a smile – photo by Bevan Cockerill
Miniature Town
The recreation of a street allows children to operate petrol pumps, change wheels on cars and work on a checkout at a mini-Marks and Spencer.
Some of the exhibits in this section are now a bit dated (an Austin car won’t mean much to youngsters today) but the children didn’t seem to mind.
Children love pretending to put petrol in cars
Spark Gallery
There was nothing dated about the Spark Gallery space which had the latest technology to play with including a chance to control racers on a touch screen and tackle computer games, but with an emphasis on learning.
Play areas
There are a couple of play areas, in particular a good one with a desert theme for under-fives. We couldn’t test the outside space because it was covered in snow but there is a huge sandpit and sensory trail.
I also noticed a couple of ‘baby oasis’ areas where babies could be put down for a stretch and a wriggle around.
In conclusion
We were impressed. Our two, aged three and seven, both loved Eureka! and got loads out of this museum. And both have since asked to return.
Top Tips
*When you pay once you can then visit Eureka! as many times as you want for a year for free, making it much better value for money.
*There is a lot of car parking (pay and display) but make sure you drive past the building to find the nearest parking spots.
Eureka! information
Food: There’s a cafe (with gluten free and vegetarian options) but it gets busy and you are allowed and actively encouraged to take your own packed lunch/picnic.
Opening hours: Open every day in school holidays from 10am to 5pm. During term time, it is open Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays.
Cost: Entry costs £13.95 for everyone three and over, £5.95 for children aged one and two and under-ones are free.
Best for: ages three to eight.
Time needed: can easily fill half a day, enough for a full day out. It gets busy but is quieter towards the end of the day after 2pm. And as many people visit when it rains, it is also quieter on sunny days.
Access and restrictions: There is award-winning access at this attraction and carers go free. Eureka! offers a service called Extra Pair of Hands for help with disabled visitors for two hours during their visit.
Visitors with autism do not have to queue if the waiting time is long. There is a quiet space called the Chill Out Room guide for visitors with sensory difficulties away from the rest of the museum.
Address: Eureka! The National Children’s Museum, Discovery Road, Halifax, HX1 2NE.
Have you been to Eureka? What did you think?