Eureka! (museum) facts for kids
The outside of Eureka!
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| Established | 1992 |
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| Location | 53°43′12″N 1°51′18″W / 53.72000°N 1.85500°W |
| Type | Children's Museum |
| Visitors | 300,000 per annum |
Eureka! The National Children's Museum is a special kind of museum for kids located in Halifax, England. It's all about learning through play, which means you get to touch and interact with everything! Instead of just looking at things behind glass, you can get hands-on and have fun while you learn.
The museum is run as a charity, so it's a not-for-profit group. It was inspired by children's museums in North America and is designed for families with kids up to 11 years old.
History of the Museum
The idea for Eureka! began in 1985 with a woman named Vivien Duffield. She was inspired after visiting a children's museum in Boston, USA, and wanted to create something similar in the United Kingdom.
It cost £9 million to build the museum. Most of this money, £7 million, came from charities called the Clore and Duffield foundations. The rest came from other grants and donations.
The museum is built on land right next to the Halifax train station. This location was suggested by Prince Charles (who was the Prince of Wales at the time). He thought it was the perfect spot and would help make Halifax an even better place. Prince Charles officially opened the museum on July 9, 1992, and was its royal supporter for ten years.
A team of talented people designed the museum. The building was designed by an architect named Ken Moth. The fun exhibits inside were created by many different designers, including Tim Hunkin, who made the cool Archimedes display at the entrance.
What's Inside? The Galleries
Eureka! has several amazing galleries where you can explore and play. Each one has a different theme.
- Spark Gallery – This is a flexible space for new and exciting exhibitions. It opened in 2017 to celebrate the museum's 25th anniversary.
- All About Me – This gallery opened in 2013 and cost £2.9 million to create. Here, you can learn all about the human body, health, and feeling good.
- Living and Working Together – Step into a mini-town! This area has a town square, a bank, shops, and a house where you can pretend to live and work.
- SoundSpace – Discover the science of sound and music in this interactive gallery. An alien character named Orby helps you on your journey!
- SoundGarden – An outdoor area where you can continue your musical adventures.
- Desert Discovery – Explore a desert-themed play area.
- The Beach – Have fun in what might be the biggest outdoor sandpit in the north of England!
- The Wonder Walk – An outdoor trail designed to engage all your senses as you explore.
