Keeping the kids entertained during the school holidays is one thing, but trying to not spend too much money is another – and with six school-free weeks over the summer it can be rather tricky. Luckily we’ve removed some of the hassle by rounding up the best free things to do in Manchester with kids, so all you need to do is round the children up and get them out of the door (and we know how hard that can be in itself). From indoor activities such as workshops and museum trips to fun adventures outside like walks and trying a new sport, you won’t have to spend a penny to keep them happy.
The top free things to do in Manchester with kids this summer
1. Make a splash with free swimming at Manchester pools
Did you know that young people living in Manchester can swim for free? All young people aged under 16 in Manchester can swim for free during public general swim sessions during the school holidays – plus they can also swim for free during weekends term time too. Free swimming sessions can be enjoyed at various MCRactive swimming pools across Manchester including Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre, East Manchester Leisure Centre, Hough End Leisure, North City Family & Fitness Centre, Moss Side Leisure Centre and Wythenshawe Forum.
2. Explore Manchester Museum’s newest exhibition, Wild
A new exhibition known as Wild has arrived at Manchester Museum, which explores our relationship with the natural world and unique approaches to environmental recovery. The exhibition will look at how people are creating, rebuilding, and repairing connections with nature, and how we can tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis by making the world more wild. Visitors will be introduced to five wild places across the globe and hear a diverse range of voices, with the exhibition featuring an immersive installation, audio, film and interactive elements, alongside natural history collections and artworks.
3. Get crafty at these free fashion workshops in Primark
Got a budding fashionista or sewing enthusiast in the family? Look no further than Primark on Manchester Market Street as it has opened a permanent, dedicated studio space expanding on the brilliant partnership with The Fashion School Manchester from August 13. The new workshops are suitable for complete beginners, aged between 7 and 16, and will teach a variety of sewing skills including using sewing machines, hand stitching, embroidery and more, perfect for giving their much-loved items and fashion favourites a longer life.
4. Step into the world of an Edwardian childhood at the Pankhurst Centre
The Pankhurst Centre in Manchester is stepping to the world of an Edwardian Childhood for its summer family friendly activities. Each Thursday and Sunday from July 24 to September 1, visitors will be able to take part in the free activities during their visit to the birthplace of the suffragette movement. Through crafts, a museum trail and fun games, visitors will discover more about the Edwardian era through a child’s eyes and in Emmeline’s parlour there is also the chance for children to dress for the period with hats, shawls and suffragette sashes to choose from.
5. Take aim with an archery class at Manchester’s Printworks
Manchester’s Printworks is hosting a thrilling children’s sporting event, featuring an archery class and an interactive gaming experience, which is set to be a hit with kids of all ages. Allowing little ones to sharpen their aiming skills and hit the bullseye in a fun and safe environment, this unique one-day event is completely free to attend, promising an unforgettable day for the whole family. Set to take place on August 15 from 12pm – 3pm, TV and Radio Host, Gemma Hepworth will take centre stage to host an exciting interactive gaming event on the giant screen. Families can relax under Printworks’ new digital ceiling, engage in competitive play and be captivated by out-of-this-world animations of synchronised swimmers, divers, athletes, and cyclists, creating a truly immersive sporting atmosphere. There will also be a host of fun prize giveaways, where the first 100 guests will receive a free phone pop socket.
6. See adorable donkeys up close at The Donkey Sanctuary
In search of free things to do with the kids in Manchester? Look no further than The Donkey Sanctuary in Abbey Hey. Both a great cause and a chance to see cute donkeys up close, it’s great way for kids to enjoy the outdoors and interact with animals. Visitors will have the chance to see the different areas in which the donkeys live, learn about how we care for them, discover the dynamics of the herd and get answers to all questions that they may have about our donkeys. The Donkey Sanctuary is free and can be booked online, however donations are welcomed.
7. Gear up for a summer of sport at Stockport’s Merseyway and Viaduct Park
Stockport town centre is gearing up for a summer of sport with free activities at Merseyway and Viaduct Park ranging from sprinting and hurdles to rhythm gymnastics and climbing. Children can try out a whole host of sports on at this year’s Olympics in Paris, with all activities completely free to take part. Merseyway will be hosting an indoor pop-up Olympic Park throughout the summer featuring a running track, winner’s podium and basketball hoop, with additional sports activities running every Wednesday from August 7-28, while over at Viaduct Park, located on top of the town’s new transport interchange, there will be a range of free sports activities on offer every Thursday from August 8-29. Free sports-themed crafting sessions will also be taking place at each event at too, with activities taking place from 11am – 3pm at both locations.
8. Follow a free, interactive and self-guided trail around Hollingworth Lake
The GM Ringway, Greater Manchester’s walking trail, has teamed up with the Sunnywood Project, that promotes a love of the great outdoors through arts and nature activities, to create a free, interactive, self-guided walking trail in Rochdale in Greater Manchester this summer. Based around Hollingworth Lake in Littleborough, the Sleuth & Stride trail is 3.7km long and takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete. Young adventurers can now turn detectives and use specially designed and strategically placed QR codes around the lake to find out if there’s a monster lurking in Hollingworth Lake or if it’s just a myth. Watch the short video case files, examine all the evidence, and by the end of the trail reach a conclusion. Each of the eight QR codes holds an intriguing clue from Detective Investigator Sleuth and his trusty dragon partner, Stride.
9. Learn to make fresh pasta from scratch at Festa Italiana
Festa Italiana is returning to Manchester this August bank holiday weekend and you can expect an epic three-day celebration of Italian food, drink and culture. Created by the city’s family-run restaurant Salvi’s, the festival’s seventh edition takes place at Cathedral Gardens. Pasta maestra Carmela Sereno Hayes will be back once again with ‘Carmela’s Kitchen’ across the entire weekend, with free drop-in sessions, teaching pasta loving adults and kids alike how to make beautiful and delicious fresh pasta from scratch. There are more family and kids activities to be announced.
10. Experience the joy of playtime at Great Northern
Great Northern in Manchester city centre is an absolute hub for free things to do with kids this summer. Every Wednesday in August (14th, 21st, 28th) from 12-4pm, kids can play in an outdoor sandpit, with no booking required. With 50 tonnes of sand, wooden logs, and plenty of buckets and spades, it’s the perfect spot for kids to have fun. Kids can also play spot of ping pong or explore our city centre oasis with the Creatures of Cottonopolis Nature Trail (free to collect from the self-service collection point outside Little Northerners Playspace) and enjoy bird watching, discovering edible plants, and playing in the free play space. Plus, every every Friday in August (9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th) from 11am to 3pm the playspace hosts free play sessions for pre-schoolers.