Early Years

Christmas 2011: Journey to the North Pole

Bring your early years group to Eureka! this Christmas and take a magical journey without moving more than a few steps.

The adventure will begin when you meet two of Santa's helpers in in Winter Wonderland. Join them for fun and games before entering the Christmas corridor to the North Pole where you'll find Santa in his grotto, with gifts ready for all of the children. Groups will also have lots of time to explore the museum and can book a 30-minute craft session in the Creativity Space classroom.

Journey to the North Pole will take place from Tuesday 6th December, right through to Friday 23rd December.

How to book:

• Please call 01422 330012 during office hours to book your group visit.
• Places cost £6.50 per child (including gift from Santa) with 1 free adult with every 3 children.
• Bookings are for groups of 10 or more children in nursery or reception classes.
• Childminders are also welcome.
• Feel free to dress up as a Christmas character.
• Choose from either a 10am or 11am arrival.
• Bookings must be made at least 7 days in advance of the preferred date.
• Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.

When can you book?

We've carefully selected the following time slots to ensure that groups benefit from dedicated gallery time, discovery time and time out.

• Early Morning: From 10:00 to 13:45
  10:15 - 11.15 Self guided gallery time
  11:15 - 12:15 Discovery time
  12:30 - 13:45 Time out
  (to eat, explore outdoors and visit the shop)
  13:45 Depart
  
• Late Morning: From 11:00 to 14:45
  11:00 - 12:30 Time out
  (to eat, explore outdoors and visit the shop)
  12:30 - 13:30 Self guided gallery time
  13:30 - 14:30 Discovery time
  14:45 Depart
  
• Afternoon Visit: From 12:15 to 15:45
  12:15 - 13:30 Time out
  (to eat, explore outdoors and visit the shop)
  13:30 - 14:30 Discovery time
  14:30 - 15:45 Self guided gallery time
  15:45 Depart

To book a visit for your group call the Bookings Hotline during office hours on 44 (0)1422 330012

Early Years Specials

In addition to our self-guided visits, we have fantastic Early Years events throughout the year. Our Early Years Week (during SATs week) is a time when the museum is dedicated to the under-5s. Our programmes during this time are designed to enhance children's knowledge and understanding of the world with activities which bring the gallery and exhibits to life through investigation, improvisation, storytelling and creative play. Our famous Christmas events are a great alternative to a panto or Christmas party.

• The Market Garden - 17 January - 30 March, Nursery and Reception
  A one hour playful session which invites children to help Polly Plus and Morris Minus sort out fruit, vegetable and flower orders for their famous neighbours. Children will be encouraged to use listening, observation, singing and number skills to bring the garden to life.
• World Maths Day Challenge, Tuesday 6 March - Key Stage 1 & 2, Early Years
  To celebrate Unicef’s World Maths Day, we're inviting schools to take part in our very own maths focused event. Classes will be challenged to complete 100 maths focused questions around the galleries and outdoors and will receive a certificate of achievement. Is your class up to the challenge?
• Science Festival, 9 - 16 March - Key Stages 1 & 2, Early Years
  To celebrate National Science and Engineering Week, we're offering a host of exciting drop-in science activities delivered by a range of playful characters throughout the museum, including: • Food focused fun in the Kitchen of the House led by our master-chefs.
• The science of sound led by our groovy musicians
• Bodily functions led by our inquisitive doctors
• Space and forces led by our aliens in residence
• Science and art investigations for our younger learners
• Roaming science buskers around and about to surprise and inspire