The Easter Holidays are fast approaching, and that means two weeks of entertaining the little ones. Luckily, Greater Manchester has a huge selection of events to keep the kids busy, no matter how old they are. Here is our roundup of family fun activities to enjoy throughout the Easter Holidays for some first-class quality time. 
 

Manchester Open Squash 2022 
 

Get sporty this Easter Holiday as one of Europe’s biggest squash tournaments, Manchester Open Squash 2022, is heading to Manchester from Wednesday 13 April to Monday 18 April. The world’s leading players will take to the court at the National Squash Centre for the biggest and best event yet. As well as watching the competition first-hand, there will be a range of activities everyone can get involved with including an interactive squash wall, product showcases, a dedicated fan zone and of course, The Manchester Open Graded event that anyone can enter. It’s time to put your skills to the test so grab your rackets and head to the court. Tickets start from just and under 16s can attend rounds 1&2 for free or for £1.20 from the quarter-finals. Plus, because we’re good sports, you can even get 30% off with code VMANCHESER30.  


The Manchester City Easter Egg Tour
 

If you have a little football fan, then this Easter you can take them on an Easter Egg hunt they’ll never forget. Head to the Etihad Stadium and find the hidden eggs while you have an exclusive tour of one of the UK’s most iconic football stadiums. It’s an Easter Activity that’s sure to score you some points with any little football fans. Manchester City’s mascots, Moonbeam and Moonchester, will be on hand to help and everyone who joins in could be in with the chance of winning amazing Cadbury prizes! The Easter Egg Hunt Stadium Tours run from Monday 4 April and Monday 18 April, but they won’t be available on matchdays so make sure you check the fixtures before you book.
 

RHS Bridgewater Giant Easter Egg Hunt
 

For a traditional activity this Easter Holidays, why not take the kids to RHS Garden Bridgewater for an Easter Egg hunt? This supersized Easter Egg hunt will see you search the stunning gardens for some larger-than-life hand-painted eggs for an eggcellent family day out. The Easter Egg Hunts run from Saturday 2 to Sunday 24 April. There will be plenty of puzzles to solve along the way and of course, you’ll see the gardens in bloom so you can really make the most of the springtime. The whole family can join in and take in the fantastic flowers. Every child who finds hidden eggs will be given a free, vegan-friendly, chocolate to take home. Plus, there’s all of the On the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, there will be a special Easter Egg Walkabout, with The Bread and Butter Theatre Company. Find them and their musical wheelbarrow for an afternoon of laughter. Easter weekend.
 

Be Inspired by Great Women 

Celebrate some wonderful women this Easter and teach your little ones their inspirational stories. Head to The Lowry Theatre for the world premiere of a new pop musical Fantastically Great Women. Hear the stories of some icons first-hand from Frida Kahlo, Rosa Parks and Marier Curie to Manchester’s very own Emmeline Pankhurst. This new musical will introduce kids to some of the leading ladies in history, those who really did change the world from explorers to scientists, artists to activists. With some of the UK’s top songwriters onboard, this musical is sure to give you something to sing about this Easter. The show runs from Tuesday 5 to Saturday 9 April and tickets start from £15. 
 

Get Crafty at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House 
 

This Easter Holiday Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is throwing open its doors to craft-loving kids. The team will be hosting family craft activities in the Servants’ Hall themed around Victorian greetings cards giving everyone the chance to make an extra special easter card to take home and share with a loved one. Elizabeth Gaskell’s house is working in partnership with the Manchester Metropolitan University Special Collections Museum to promote and celebrate some of the 32,000 cards from their Laura Seddon Collection of Victorian and Edwardian Greetings Cards. Take in a bit of history while you’re getting crafty in this esteemed Victorian novelist's home. If you’re exploring don’t forget to follow the popular cat trail! Under 16s can enter the house for free with a paying adult and the last entry is 3 pm. Easter activities run from Sunday 3 April to Sunday 17 April. 
 

Treasure Hunt Manchester 
 

What could be more fun than a treasure hunt? In this family fun activity, X marks the spot. The entire family can unleash their inner pirate with Treasure Hunt Manchester. All you have to do is follow the map, solve cryptic clues and work your way through both Manchester’s best known and hidden landmarks, exploring the city and having a fun day out with those you love most. With the help of friendly pirate Captain Bess, you’ll learn all about the city on this phone-based tour which works like WhatsApp. You can explore at your own pace, giving you time to stop for a bite to eat or to rest any tired legs. 
 

East Lancashire Railway Adventures  
 

Step on board the East Lancashire Railway and be transported to another world this Easter. Wizards, Pirates and Dinosaur lovers, there’s a trip for you this school holidays. On Wednesday 6, Wednesday 13 and Friday 15 April, young witches and wizards can be whisked off to their first day at the Grand Old School of Wizardry with a two-hour trip full of magical activities and enchanting scenery. On Thursday 7 and Thursday 14 April it’s all about a Jurassic expedition, travelling back in time to meet the dinosaurs on a dino-proofed steam train. Whatever adventure your little ones would love, there’s something for everyone this Easter at East Lancashire Railway. Where will your school holidays take you? 
 

The Smeds and Smoos The Lowry 
 

For more theatre fun this Easter holiday, head to The Lowry Theatre in Salford for The Smeds and The Smoos. This award-winning kid's book by Julia Donaldson and Acel Scheffler has been adapted for the stage perfect for ages 3 and above and will run from Tuesday 12 to Saturday 16 April. Soar into space and travel to another planet for a hilarious and heart-warming story. The production is brought to you by the people who brought The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom to the stage, so you know your little ones are bound to be entertained.  
 

Step into your favourite Fairytales 
 

Lose yourselves in the world of fairy-tales this Easter as Z Arts in Hume launches their Immersive Fairy Tale Experience. With life-sized fairy-tale worlds, watch the pages of your favourite books come to life and bring your little ones to a land far far away. For a VIP experience, a Storyteller will take you on a musical journey through the worlds of the Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and the Three Bears and more. The opening weekend is on Saturday 2, and there will be free activity books and goody bags for little ones to take away. The immersive exhibition will then run throughout the Easter holidays and beyond until July. 
 

Visit an Easter Pantomime 
 

Easter pantomimes are set to be in full swing this school holidays. If you’re looking to entertain your little ones this Easter, a trip to the theatre could be an egg-cellent idea. Victoria Hall in Bolton is hosting Rapunzel (Saturday 2 to Tuesday 12 April) while Stockport Plaza is showing Mother Goose (Friday 15 to Sunday 18 April) and Oldham Coliseum Theatre is hosting a performance of The Jungle Book (Thursday 7 to Sunday 24 April) These are just some incredible performances in Greater Manchester that little ones will love. Introduce them to the magic of the stage and let them lose themselves in a magical story this Easter holiday. With multiple showtimes throughout the day, an Easter Pantomime is great family fun for everyone.
 

Join The Greatest Show 
 

The circus is back in town for an Easter Spectacular. From Friday 1 to Sunday 24 April, Gandeys Circus is returning to The Trafford Centre, for a magical production with over 30 artists and performers from around the world. Head to the Big Top to see gymnasts and aerial performers take your breath away. Europe’s largest touring show is full of thrills, excitement and new levels of entertainment. If you’re looking for a show the whole family can enjoy, this is it, as there really is something for everyone. With tickets from £9.99, prepare to be wowed. 
 

Easter EGGstravaganza Cockfields farm 
 

Springtime is the perfect time to visit the farm. Head on down to Cockfields Farm between Saturday 9 and Monday 18 April for their annual Easter EGGstravaganza. With the biggest Easter Egg Hunt in the Northwest, there’s room for the whole family to get involved. Plus, keep an eye out for golden eggs as that means egg-stra special prizes. But that’s not all, little ones can also enjoy a live Easter Pantomime and visit the animals who call the farm home. There are a whole host of activities included in the admission including, cuddling bunnies and guinea pigs, grooming donkeys, feeding meerkats and tractor rides around the farm but most importantly, you’ll get the chance to meet this year’s new lambs and chicks. What more could you want? 
 

Alice in Wonderland Easter Experience Wythenshaw Hall 
 

Fall down the rabbit hole this Easter and be transported to Wonderland. On Monday 18 April, Wythenshaw Hall Gardens will become an enchanted world full of magic and wonder. All of your favourite characters from Lewis Carroll’s classic novel are taking over the gardens, and you can see their adventures come to life before your eyes. We can all get lost in a book, but this gives that phrase a whole new meaning, as the pages will come to life before your eyes. If you’ve always wanted to go to Wonderland, then what are you waiting for? The White Rabbit, The Queen of Hearts, The Cheshire Cat and of course Alice will all be waiting for you. Each child will receive their own easter egg and fancy dress is encouraged to make the day that bit more memorable. 
 

Easter Fun at Reddish Vale Farm 
 

We’re not yolking, there’s another farm with fun Easter activities for all the family, because who can resist the baby animals that springtime brings. This Easter holiday, head to Reddish Vale Farm between Saturday 2 and Monday 18 April for some Easter Fun and cuddle rabbits and guinea pigs, feed the outdoor animals and say hello to the farm’s newest arrivals. Plus there’s an outdoor play area with a zip wire, giant air bouncing pillows and a beach area for a whole host of fun. Throughout the holidays you can join an Easter Egg hunt, searching the Easter Village for the most eggs. Anyone that can find four of the same colour egg will get an Easter Egg to take home, plus keep your eyes peeled for the golden egg. Entry is from £4.50 for this family day out in Stockport. 


So, if you’re looking to keep the kids entertained, there’s plenty going on in Greater Manchester throughout the Easter Holidays. With a whole host of shows and outdoor activities, there really is something for every family. 

You can view more events taking place across Greater Manchester this Easter here.