BEAT this summer's unpredictable weather and school holiday boredom with a visit to one of the country's most thrilling. . .museums.

The word 'museum' is unlikely to stir any excitement in the average child but that just means they haven't yet experienced Eureka!

As the first of its kind in the UK, this award-winning museum is designed to teach children up to the age of twelve about themselves and the world around them, using a hands-on, fun approach to learning and development.

At Eureka! children are actively encouraged to touch, listen and smell, as well as look and share their discoveries with adults.

Housed in a 4,500 sqm building, created by Building Design Partnership in Manchester, Eureka! is situated in Halifax, West Yorkshire, just five minutes from the M62.

It is also convenient by train - Halifax Railway Station can be seen from the entrance.

The dramatic two-storey museum, constructed with visible steel, stone and glass, has been designed in such a way that visitors can appreciate the structure of the building.

And with more than 400 hands-on activities, games and challenges, children are promised a journey of discovery around the four main exhibition galleries: Me and My Body, Living and Working Together, Things and Invent, Create and Communicate.

The museum also houses a shop, a cafe, a theatre and outside the park there is a Health Trail, which encourages children and adults to test their agility, balance and co-ordination by exercising together.

The Hazard Dome runs daily performances using a giant television screens and special effects to spread the message about safety in the home.

Since it opened in July 1992, it has enjoyed unrivalled success, proving popular with children, parents and teachers alike.

Next month, the museum will be celebrating two million visitors, and ten Citizen readers could win a family ticket to join in the party.

The tickets - which admit two adults and two children under 12 into the August 29 party - are worth £15.75.

To win one of the ten family tickets, simply answer the following question. When did Eureka! open? Send your answer, on a postcard marked Eureka! Competition, to the Citizen Newsdesk, Newspaper House, High Street, Blackburn BB1 1HT. Closing date for entries is Friday, August 1. Normal Citizen rules apply.

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