Top 10 Family-Friendly Things to Do in Manchester This Winter

Winter in Manchester is packed with wonderful things for families to enjoy together. Whether little ones want to explore fascinating museums, dive into playful exhibitions, or get active in vibrant city festivals, there’s lots to discover. From cosy indoor adventures to engaging outdoor explorations, here are the top 10 family-friendly activities to brighten up your winter days in the city.

Kick off your family day with a behind-the-scenes tour of the iconic Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City Football Club. Walk through the players’ tunnel, peek inside the dressing rooms, and watch a film celebrating the highs of City football. It’s perfect for young fans dreaming of their own goal celebrations.

For an extra thrill, enhance your visit with Beyond the Blue Moon, the new immersive virtual reality adventure. This cutting-edge experience takes you on a bold journey through Manchester City’s past, present, and future, offering fans of all ages a unique way to dive deeper into the world of football.

For families who love art and immersive experiences, Factory International offers a fantastic winter programme at Aviva Studios. From December 16, 2025, to January 11, 2026, enjoy David Hockney’s vibrant and immersive exhibition Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away), which showcases 60 years of his artwork in a stunning multi-sensory presentation.

You can also dive into VOGUE: Inventing the Runway, an Anna Wintour-approved immersive journey through the world of haute couture fashion. Or take an epic trip with The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks, narrated by Tom Hanks himself, exploring humanity’s voyages to the moon.

For little ones, Shaun the Sheep’s Circus Show offers a high-flying adventure with un-BAA-lievable acrobats that’s sure to delight the whole family.

Step inside Manchester Museum this winter and uncover a world of wonder - from towering dinosaur skeletons and glittering mummies to vibrant wildlife displays. With family trails, creative workshops and plenty of hands-on fun, it’s a brilliant place to fire up curiosity in children of all ages. Don’t forget to check out the special family-friendly events running during the school holidays.

Start your visit in The Vivarium, where you can get up close to live reptiles and amphibians from around the world. It’s a rare chance to see endangered species and learn about the Museum’s ongoing conservation work to help protect them.

Next, head to the Fossils and Dinosaur Gallery to see what it’s like to think like a palaeontologist. Here you’ll meet some of the Museum’s most famous residents, including Stan the Tyrannosaurus rex, a Manchester favourite for more than 20 years, and April the Tenontosaurus, carefully restored to stand proudly on all fours thanks to University of Manchester students.

Round off your visit with the exciting new exhibition, Triceratops: Eat, Roam, Repeat. Travel back to the Cretaceous and come face to face with one of the most iconic dinosaurs of all time. The exhibition combines striking displays, interactive activities and a rare Triceratops skull fossil - in Manchester for a limited time only. Budding young explorers can even have a go at a fossil dig while discovering how this prehistoric giant lived, ate and survived.

Just a short journey from Manchester city centre, Jodrell Bank is the perfect spot for families fascinated by the stars. Home to one of the world’s most powerful radio telescopes, it offers a mix of magical stargazing nights, hands-on science exhibits and cosmic storytelling. Young space enthusiasts will love learning about the universe in this inspiring and imaginative setting.

This winter, join the Astro Night - Kids! event for an evening of out-of-this-world fun. The Lovell Telescope has been exploring the cosmos for almost 70 years, and now your family can do the same alongside the Jodrell Bank team and the Macclesfield Astronomical Society. Children can see stars and constellations up close in the Space Dome, then head outdoors (weather permitting) to use planispheres, binoculars and telescopes to navigate the night sky. There’s also the chance to hold a real meteorite, dress up as an astronaut and make your very own comet to take home. These popular events tend to sell out quickly, so it’s best to book early. And don’t forget to wrap up warm - skywatching is weather dependent, but if the clouds roll in, there’ll be plenty of alternative activities to keep the cosmic fun going.

If you’re a football fan, the National Football Museum is well worth a visit. You can snap a photo with famous trophies, see the original Laws of the Game, and put your own skills to the test with interactive football challenges. There are four galleries to explore, plus changing exhibitions, tours and workshops to keep things fresh all year round. 

The museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm, and if you buy your ticket directly, you can return as many times as you like for a whole year. A great spot for families, friends and football lovers alike!

A firm favourite with families, Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum is packed with fascinating exhibitions about science, technology and the city’s industrial past. Little scientists can get hands-on with interactive displays, enjoy live science shows, explore the Operation Ouch!–themed galleries, and test their skills in Power Up, an arcade packed with games from decades past. It’s a brilliant mix of learning and fun - perfect for chilly winter days.

The museum has also celebrated the long-awaited reopening of Power Hall: The Andrew Law Gallery, following a major repair and conservation project. Step inside and experience the sights, sounds and even the smells of the mighty engines that helped Manchester change the world. Set within a stunning Grade II–listed building, once a hub for global trade, Power Hall showcases one of the UK’s largest collections of historic engines. Journey through a century of innovation and discover how Manchester’s ingenuity helped shape modern industry.

New for 2026 is the Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos, an electrifying new exhibition, launches at the Science and Industry Museum in February. Step into the Solar System on a thrilling adventure where mystery, mischief, and rocket-loads of silly science await.

Manchester’s world-famous Museum of Illusions is a must-visit for anyone curious about how perception can be tricked and the imagination sparked. Perfect for all ages, the museum is packed with mind-bending optical illusions and interactive exhibits, from favourites like the Walk-in Kaleidoscope, Vortex Tunnel, and Infinity Room, to Manchester-exclusive installations celebrating the city’s culture - like the tram-inspired Reversed Room, the Following Eyes Illusion starring a local personality, and the Building Illusion where you can appear to hang from a famous Manchester landmark. With some exhibits making their world debut here, it’s an unforgettable spot for family days out, date nights, school trips, or even corporate visits. Fully accessible for everyone, including families with prams, the elderly, and those with disabilities, the museum also hosts fun events during February half term, making it a brilliant winter outing in Manchester.

If you’re looking for a fun day out in Manchester this winter, Z-arts is a brilliant spot for families. It’s the UK’s only arts centre dedicated to children and families, and there’s loads to get involved with - from catching shows like The Gruffalo’s Child in late February to joining creative workshops, jam sessions, or dance and drama classes for kids of all ages. You can even try the Library of Enchantment, a family-friendly escape room full of puzzles and teamwork, perfect for ages 8 and up. With a 230-seat theatre, a children’s library, and a café serving character-inspired treats, picnic boxes, and plenty of cakes, Z-arts is a warm, welcoming place where imagination takes centre stage and everyone can get creative.

Manchester’s biggest family celebration returns this February! From 18–21 February 2026, the Super Duper Family Festival transforms the city into a giant playground with colourful play zones featuring giant hedge mazes, thrilling rides, sports challenges, gaming areas, crafts, live performances and even family raves.

Completely free to attend, it’s the perfect way to make unforgettable half-term memories, with activities and entertainment for children of all ages.

Set within the historic 156-acre Worsley New Hall estate, RHS Garden Bridgewater is one of the largest and most ambitious gardening projects in Europe. Spanning 154 acres of beautifully restored landscape in Salford, it’s an inspiring oasis that continues to grow and evolve with help from award-winning designers and the local community.

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 around all five RHS Gardens, including RHS Garden Bridgewater.  Running between 14 February and December 2026, a selection of the beloved illustrations will feature in The Wind in the Willows: A Garden Adventure, which will be made up of a host of exciting activities featuring favourite characters Mole, Ratty, Toad, and Badger. The trails will explore the gardens’ most iconic sights and bring plenty of storybook magic. The collaboration comes as the illustrations hit a landmark 95 years since their first release, and the 50th anniversary of E. H. Shepard’s death. Around the spectacular gardens, the young and young at heart can discover sensory boxes, traditional garden games, photo opportunities and plenty of outdoor fun to follow a

With plenty of exciting events planned for next year, there’s always something new to discover at RHS Garden Bridgewater - a true haven for gardeners, families, and anyone in need of a little outdoor inspiration.

Find Your Cosy Corner in Manchester This Winter

Whatever brings you to Manchester this winter, you’ll find a city alive with creativity, culture, and warmth. Wrap up, head out, and experience everything that makes Manchester so special in the first months of the year. From cosy coffee shops to cutting-edge exhibitions, there’s always something to make even the chilliest days feel worthwhile.