Eureka!

This summer my family had a short weekend break to West Yorkshire. On our first day we went to the National Children's museum in Halifax. Apart from the stunning beauty of the surrounding countryside, the Eureka museum is a testament to the importance of our children.

Great imagination has been deployed to create a museum which holds something for all children up to about the age of 10. I say 10 tentatively because it was evident on our visit that many of the adults were more immersed in the activities than their progeny. This just goes to reinforce the value of play in childhood and beyond. We spent a whole day there but I could easily have spent two because there was just so much to do and take in. It reminded me of the importance of spending and sharing time with our children because aside from anything else, it is always so rewarding.

For anybody in the UK reading this with children in the family up to the age of 10, I would strongly recommend this as a great day out. The Eureka project is a registered charity and so is reliant on donations. Entry is reasonably priced and, as you would expect, the whole place is very family friendly. You can go to their wonderful cafe if you wish or take your own food. For the latter, you are given the choice of an old railway carriage, a marquee or outdoor picnic tables - wonderfully thought out.

The second day of our break was spent at the National Media Museum in Bradford. Once again, this was another great day. Once more a charity, this time entry was free but a donation was politely welcomed as you left. I was taken back to my childhood every five minutes in this seven storey homage to television, photography, radio and the film. This time, one day was barely enough to plough your way through an extraordinary array of exhibits and information. The history of the media we now take for granted was amazing and it was enlightening to appreciate how far we have come in such a very short time. Once again, the whole set up was both child and family friendly. If you're feeling particularly adventurous, you can even have a go at reading the six o clock news or practice filming on a TV set. It goes on and on but is well worth a visit. You have free access to a vast archive of BBC TV and Radio programmes which are great value.

On the last morning of our break, I was sadly reminded that not everybody is child friendly. Our hotel boasted a swimming pool which we accessed daily. Our child is learning to swim so it was a welcome resource for him and us. Unfortunately, the pool belonged to a health club and so health club members shared the facility with hotel guests. Shared. Not always an easy concept with some people. Understandably, children were not allowed in the pool after 7.00pm as this was a designated time for adults - most local swimming baths employ a similar policy so no surprises here. Until this morning we mixed happily with the members and they with us. This morning though, a lady and her friend took exception to our child being in the pool. There were three of my family and the two ladies in a swimming pool which I would have thought a reasonable number with plenty of room for everyone. Not so. She was verbally unkind about our child being in her pool because she was a member and her membership cost a lot of money. Furthermore, she didn't like getting her hair wet. To the latter there was no obvious response. It would be a bit like a baker saying he didn't like getting dough on his hands or a hairdresser saying they didn't like touching hair.

Aside from this one lady with an over inflated understanding of her membership, we had a smashing time and would go back if only to give her hair the wetting it is plainly crying out for. In hindsight, I felt she had lost the enjoyment of play. I think she had just stopped having fun. I have every intention of embracing play, fun and enjoyment for as long as there is air in my lungs - I hope you'll join me?