2 min readBest days out for young children
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We Invented the Weekend festival is back for 2026! Across Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June 2026, Salford Quays and MediaCity will be buzzing with over 200 free activities in the UKs most ambitious, creative, original and fun-filled festival celebrating the most precious of commodities – our free…
Let the games begin! Get ready for a week of family fun, laughter and friendly competition this May half term at RHS Garden Bridgewater, Greater Manchester. The Great Garden Game-a-thon is back at RHS Bridgewater. Will you rise to the challenge? Enjoy a fun-packed week of outdoor…
This half term families are invited to explore the playful side of power with trainloads of fun, from a miniature steam railway and hands-on engineering sessions to visiting steam-powered traction engines, live demonstrations and performances inspired by the sounds of industrial Manchester. Be…
An out-of-this-world premiere exhibition, now open at the Science and Industry Museum. Blast off into the Solar System on a thrilling adventure where mystery, mischief, and rocket-loads of silly science await. Visitors will: Walk in the shoes of astronauts Explore the life-giving energy of the Sun…
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and Farshore, part of HarperCollins Publishers, are teaming up in February 2026 to celebrate the 95th anniversary of E. H. Shepard's iconic illustrations for Kenneth Grahame’s classic The Wind in the Willows with interactive children’s trails…
Beyond The Surface Tour Dive behind the scenes at SEA LIFE Manchester with an exclusive guided tour that takes you beyond the public exhibits. This immersive experience offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the aquarium, led by a knowledgeable aquarist. Enhance your visit with the Beyond…
Join HOME in the Creativity Corner for their baby and toddler group drop in session to enjoy crafts, chats and creativity. Expect making for tiny hands, stories and most importantly PLAY. Join artist and community facilitator Phoebe Foxtrot on a chosen Friday of every month…
Back by popular demand Bluey, Bingo, Bandit and Chilli are returning to Lowry in the Olivier award-nominated live stage show, Bluey’s Big Play. Featuring brilliantly created puppets, this theatrical adaptation of the Emmy® award-winning children’s television series is packed with…
Manchester is about to get a whole lot more playful with Bubble Planet! This quirky new attraction is all about big, magical bubbles - soap bubbles, air bubbles, even virtual reality bubbles that let your imagination run free. It’s a place to explore, play, and just have fun, no matter your…
Pick up a free trail map from Reception (by the Stables Cafe) and follow our family-friendly Spring Trail! This short walk takes you through scenic areas of the Park in search of fun spring characters. Running from early March to late May.
Fall down the rabbit hole and have your very own magical adventure with Adventures in Wonderland at Z-arts! Curiouser and curiouser? Created by Z-arts in partnership with Macmillan Children's Books, step into Alice's shoes and have your very own magical Adventure in Wonderland, celebrating…
You're late, you're late, for a very important date! It's time to take a tumble down the Rabbit Hole for a curious adventure through Wonderland with Alice and her friends. Your adventure includes a train ride from Bury to Rawtenstall and back, a roughly two-hour Wonderland experience…
It's time to sign up to our spellbinding school of sorcery as you take a wacky and wonderful whistle stop tour of the Wizard Academy and learn to become a master of mystery and magic. Your adventure includes a train ride from Bury to Rawtenstall and back, a roughly two-hour wizard experience…
Have you ever wanted to pet a pachycephalosaurus, get together with a Triceratops or tickle a T-Rex under the chin? Your adventure includes a train ride from Bury to Rawtenstall and back, a roughly two-hour dino experience with our professional dinosaur handlers, themed activities and plenty of…
Did you ever go to Silversands on a sunny summer’s day? Then perhaps you saw the mermaid who sang in the deep blue bay. One day, the singing mermaid is tempted away from all of her sea creature friends and her peaceful home at Silversands to join a travelling circus. The audiences love to hear…
Our universe is filled with profound mysteries that continue to inspire awe and wonder. How did it all begin? What happened after the big bang? What lies at the heart of enigmatic black holes? Quantum science, which examines matter and energy at a subatomic level, is revolutionising our…
Join for a day out filled with family fun at Brookside Garden Centre & Miniature Railway! The Vintage Family Fun Fair lovingly owned and operated by the Keeling Family will be back in town for the Whit Bank Holiday Weekend on May 23rd, 24th & 25th. There are lots of attractions for little…
Visit IWM North for free, fun-packed adventure trails and family missions to learn about the global impact of conflict from the First World War to today. Activities take place daily and throughout school holidays. All activities are suitable for children aged 5+ See below for our full schedule of…
Playing its part in this year’s National Year of Reading, this May Half Term, Saturday 23rd May until Sunday 31st May, Knowsley Safari is turning the page on a magical new adventure, as it brings beloved storybooks to life with a brand‑new series of activities and tales for the whole…
Walk the Plank’s pop-up festival, The Wagon Train, will celebrate the heart and soul of Salford across some of its green spaces. With free, family-friendly entertainment throughout the month and more to come throughout the summer, visitors can expect music, poetry, play space, karaoke, talent…
Fun days out for teenagers
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Africa Day returns with a vibrant day of art, dance and percussion activities for the whole family – curated by FUZIA. Expect performances, stalls and exhibitions by Manchester artists showcasing traditional and modern art forms across the continent of Africa and its diverse diaspora. Join a…
The National Football Museum will be playing host to a uniquely urban football experience. Yard Ball is heading to the museum's ground floor, transforming the Pitch Gallery into an all-action arena that will put your skills to the ultimate test. Packed with street football vibes and nostalgic…
Kids and grown-ups alike can discover the fascinating connection between football and the human body in our brand new exhibition, Head, Shoulders, Knees & Goals. Explore the science behind movement, the stories that shape identity and the joy of football fandom through hands on play, sensory…
Imperial War Museums (IWM) invites visitors to venture into the secret world of espionage this winter with the arrival of blockbuster exhibition Spies, Lies and Deception at IWM North (29th November 2025 - 31 August 2026). Showcasing over 60 objects including gadgets, classified…
Horizon of Khufu: Journey to Ancient Egypt, an immersive virtual reality expedition back in time over 4,500 years ago, is set to make its debut in Manchester next on 2 April. This award-winning VR experience, created by Excurio and presented by Fever, offers audiences an unprecedented opportunity to…
Adventure through the streets of Manchester's city centre and unlock a hidden trail by finding clues, solving puzzles & completing challenges, earning points along the way all self-guided through the Go Quest Adventures app. See the area's highlights, explore it's hidden gems and…
Planetarium Go! Manchester is an immersive pop-up planetarium experience that invites audiences of all ages to explore the wonders of the universe in a truly unique way. Inside a large spherical dome, visitors are surrounded by a 360º screen that transforms astronomy and science films into…
Don't miss the unforgettable theatrical experience of the season as this heartfelt coming-of-age story takes flight with spectacular musical numbers and dazzlingly inventive choreography. Daniel LaRusso's journey is reimagined through movement, music, and raw, energetic storytelling. At its…
★★★★ The Daily Telegraph Strictly The Professionals returns — bigger, bolder, and more breathtaking than ever. Take 11 world-class professional dancers from the hit TV series Strictly Come Dancing, a sensational live band, and powerhouse vocalists. Add show-stopping choreography, dazzling…
Luminiscence arrives in the UK for the first time, transforming Manchester Cathedral into a fully immersive world of sound, story, and light. Featuring new choral arrangements of iconic Manchester songs performed by Collectives Gospel Choir, a specially commissioned script by BAFTA Award winner Tim…
Blossom Art Competition Exhibition by Pinc College Location: Castlefield Viaduct, M3 4LG Price: FREE Visit Castlefield Viaduct, a Victorian-era railway viaduct transformed into Manchester’s ‘garden in the sky’ and discover the Blossom exhibition. Created by students from Pinc…
Travel through time one vibe at a time with the return of Vintage Vibes. It’s a celebration of the iconic and timeless tunes that have shaped countless generations, from Northern Soul to 1970s pop. The largest live music event held at the ELR! The main stage will be located at Bury…
Step into Human Natures, Manchester Museum’s new exhibition exploring how people have shaped the world around us and how nature, in turn, shapes our lives. From the choices we make about food and fashion to the materials we throw away, this timely journey reveals the surprising stories behind…
Amazing street food from Rochdale’s best vendors, drinks, music and more as this popular food festival returns to Rochdale Town Hall Square. The food and drink and entertainment lineups will be announced in April 2026.
The people's engine returns to the East Lancashire Railway! Its now over 100 years since this iconic, record-breaking steam engine entered service and in 2026 she will be revisiting the ELR. Visitors will be able to ride behind her as she travels the 16 mile return trip between Bury and…
Family friendly attractions
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Manchester City Stadium Tour is part of the Visit Manchester Pass - giving you entry to iconic attractions and access to exclusive discounts across the city, make the most of your time in Manchester with the Visit Manchester Pass. With 1, 2 and 3 day passes, find out more and purchase…
Jodrell Bank is an amazing, unique, and awe-inspiring place. A world-leading deep-space radio observatory, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an award-winning national visitor attraction. Uncover the inspirational heritage of Jodrell Bank in the new First Light Pavilion. Inside this architecturally…
Where rhino stomp and lions roar, the safari by the city, and so much more. Experience Manchester's wildest day out with a trip to family favourite, Knowsley Safari. Start your adventure by exploring our impressive 5-mile safari drive which is currently home to over 750 fascinating animals, from…
With a fantastic selection of rides, attractions and shows to see each day, Gulliver's World guarantees you one of the best family days out in the UK. There's so much to experience, from the wild rides in Western World to the thrilling rides of Smugglers Wharf. Gulliver's Resort…
Manchester welcomes World-Famous Museum of Illusions to the city! Enter the fascinating world of illusions where nothing is ever quite as it seems. This highly anticipated new attraction promises a captivating experience for visitors of all ages, immersing them in a world of optical illusions and…
********* LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester is the ultimate indoor LEGO Playground and offers an inspirational and unique day out for all the family! LEGOLAND Discovery Centres are designed specifically for children aged 3-10 years to enjoy – everything is child sized! As soon as you step…
Step into the magic of Old Trafford and experience Manchester United like never before. This immersive museum and stadium tour throws you straight into the club's legendary story from the heroes of the Busby Babes, the historic treble season in ‘99 to memories of your favourite…
Winter adventures start just 50 minutes from Manchester at Chester Zoo Home to over 30,000 animals, Chester Zoo invites you to explore, unwind and reconnect this winter – with nature, each other and yourself. Explore 130 acres of immersive habitats - from dense rainforests and tropical caves…
Urban Playground, located in the heart of the Manchester Arndale Centre, is the ultimate all-in-one destination for a fun-filled day out. Bringing together the high-energy challenge of THE CUBE, the social competition of Putters, and bold dining at The Butcher, it offers something for…
At iFLY believe flying shouldn't be reserved for a select few. That’s why we’ve made the thrill of indoor skydiving accessible to everyone, regardless of age or experience. Whether it’s your first flight or your fiftieth, iFLY delivers the magic of flight in a safe, guided, and…
Manchester Museum has been at the heart of the city’s cultural scene for more than 130 years – and is only getting better with age. As one of the UK’s biggest university museums – sat at the heart of the University of Manchester – it’s home to an incredible range…
Visitors can enjoy Manchester’s new sky park after the National Trust transformed a giant 330 metre steel viaduct into an elevated park with trees, plants and flowers. The temporary urban park is open for the 12 months with green spaces stretching across the elevation. During this time…
You can expect cutting-edge racing rigs that replicate the feel of real-world racing, a vast library of tracks and cars, and competitive events for every level. We have quickly become a must-visit destination. When you arrive at the venue, choose a car, choose a track, and Simply Race. From just…
Outdoor adventures for the whole family
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Celebrate the start of summer at The Manchester Flower Festival. With fabulous floral displays, outdoor dining, talks, workshops and family fun, you’re in for a bloomin’ amazing long weekend in Manchester city centre.
Celebrating Pride across Greater Manchester
- 6 minute read
June marks Pride Month across the world, to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall riots…
Health and Wellness activities in Greater Manchester
- 4 minute read
Revitalize your senses in Greater Manchester with Visit Manchester’s guide to health and…
Human Natures: A Free Exhibition Opens at Manchester Museum
- 3 minute read
Step into Human Natures, Manchester Museum’s new exhibition exploring how people have shaped…
Best Day Trips from Manchester for an Unforgettable Adventure
- 11 minute read
So, you’re planning on booking a trip to Manchester and fancy getting out to explore more of…
The Best Midweek Deals to Take Advantage of in Manchester
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Who says dining out has to wait for the weekend? In Manchester, some of the best food deals pop up…
