Whether it’s the holidays or the weekend, the big question is how to keep the kids entertained? If you’re stuck for ideas or in need of fresh inspiration for things to do with the kids in Manchester, we’ve made things a little easier. We’ve rounded up some of the best things happening in Manchester this May half term which are suitable for kids and families, including some indoor activities in case the weather doesn’t deliver. So, without further ado here are the most thrilling things to do in Manchester with kids, which are bound to make the holidays pretty memorable and enjoyable for all.
The best things to do with kids in Manchester
1. Bounce and fly around at playzone Oxygen Activeplay at Salford Quays
Oxygen Activeplay at Quayside in Salford is a playzone promising to bring a whole new world of exploration, excitement, and fun. Little ones can bounce their way across 24 epic trampolines, dive into awesome inflatables, and challenge their friends in the super cool interactive strike arena. Older children can take to the sky and test their skills on the high ropes course, climbing and navigating obstacles as they conquer the heights of the Activeplay park. Plus, the indoor aerial Sky Rider is not to be missed, where you can forget about gravity and fly high above the Activeplay park giving you the ultimate birds eye view of the fun below. For just £30, pass holders can spring into the park on any five days of their choosing over the one-week break, including weekends and the Bank Holiday, for 60 minutes of Open Play between May 26 – June 1 – a discount of over 50%.
2. 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.
3. Step inside the weird and wonderful world of Alice In Wonderland at this new experience
You can explore the world of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland for yourself as a brand new XR (extended reality) experience in Manchester. Perfect for all the family, Trafford Palazzo is offering a new kind of storytelling. Immersia XR: Walking XR Theatre makes its debut as the UK’s first large-scale immersive XR experience, blending cutting-edge technology with iconic tales in an unforgettable walk-through format. Immersia XR invites audiences of all ages to step inside legendary stories and live them from within. No screens. No controllers. Just you—walking through the story.
4. Tumble down the Rabbit Hole and into Wonderland at Z-arts
Families are invited to tumble down the Rabbit Hole and into Wonderland to enjoy a brand new immersive play experience at Z-arts. Adventures in Wonderland has been created by Z-arts in partnership with Macmillan Children’s Books and celebrates the 160th anniversary of one of the most loved children’s books of all time, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Tunnels to crawl through, mazes to get lost in, fairground mirrors to amuse and a ball pool to ‘splash’ into, plus a Mad Hatter’s tea party, interactive games and sensory areas, all bring Lewis Carroll’s fantastical world to life. There are lots of surprises along the way, great photo-opportunities and dress-up for the occasion is encouraged!
5. Bounce around at Inflata Nation Manchester
If you and the kids want to still bounce around but the weather isn’t looking the best then head to Inflata Nation. With loads of jaw dropping features and fun activities including the epic double tipping slide, it’s twice the fun but can you hang on? Inflata Nation Manchester offers kids and adults alike unrivalled bouncing fun, and can be enjoyed by just about anyone, of any age, shape and physical ability. The inflatable park also has a variety of classes including Disability Friendly sessions and Inflata Tots sessions (just for pre-schoolers).
6. Attend an enchanting Candlelight concert
Experiencing timeless melodies in a candlelit setting is a fun plan for the whole family. If your kids are eight or older, you can bring them to a breathtaking Candlelight tribute. These performances recreate some of the best music ever written, including classical works by Vivaldi and iconic ABBA and Queen hits. Taking place at some of the city’s most charming and historic venues, your little ones can get introduced to musical legends or rediscover popular hits.
7. Meet Bluey at this free, family event at MediaCity
Little Tikes is bringing family fun to MediaCity’s waterfront this May half term for the ultimate family party on Wednesday 28 May from 11am. Celebrating the launch of the all-new Little Tikes Bluey outdoor toys range, families can enjoy the big screen showing episodes of Bluey, while Kiddo’s can test out Little Tikes classic and new Bluey outdoor toys in play zones including a sand and water play zone, or experience the iconic Cozy Coupe range in the ride-on zone. Taking place at the recently revamped MediaCity Waterside Steps, sitting outside CBeebies HQ at MediaCity, the event will include face painting, a Spin to Win wheel loaded with epic prizes and of course – a chance to meet Bluey!
8. Reach for the stars at one of Manchester’s many rock climbing walls
If you and the kids are looking for a challenge right here in Manchester, then rock climbing or bouldering is one of the top things to do. Push yourself to new heights (quite literally) as Manchester has plenty of indoor climbing and bouldering spots, whether you’re a rock climbing rookie or a seasoned climber. From Stretford to Stockport, Bolton to Oldham, there are many venues which are suitable for kids and some even have cafes offering light refreshments or a place to watch the youngsters scale some walls from afar.
9. Boggle your mind at the brand new Museum of Illusions
New to the city, Museum of Illusions should definitely be on the cards for a mind-bending day out this half term, and you’re sure to leave rather mind-boggled. The brand new 10,700 sq ft space is filled with “fascinating holograms, mind-bending illusion rooms, and astonishing exhibits intended to trick the mind and puzzle perceptions”. In addition to the museum’s signature, most popular and photo-worthy exhibits, such as the Walk-in Kaleidoscope, Vortex Tunnel, and Infinity Room, visitors will be treated to custom-made installations that celebrate Manchester’s unique culture and heritage.
10. Swing into action at Total Ninja Manchester
Families can kick boredom to the curb this half term, with some ninja fun at Total Ninja Manchester. Thrill-seekers can take on obstacles, climbing, leaping and swinging their way through over 25 challenges. Ninjas can find their inner calm on Balance Logs, sail through the Sea of Swings and reach new highs on the challenging Warped Wall, with challenges ranging to suit all ages and abilities. Plus, aspiring ninjas can play more and pay less with 2-for-1 Ninja Sessions throughout May, including over the half term and Bank Holidays, by pre-booking online using the code MADMAY.
11. Get crafty with garden-themed workshops at Trafford Palazzo
This half term, Trafford Palazzo will host a garden-themed extravaganza to celebrate National Children’s Gardening Week as part of TP in Bloom. From Saturday 24 May to Sunday 1 June, kids can get involved in free activities including a Garden Rock Art workshop session where little ones can paint and decorate garden stones using bright colours and fun designs. Other free events on the schedule include a Paint & Plant workshop that involves decorating planters using tins, paper cups, biodegradable and terracotta pots, with plant seeds to take home and grow, plus Egg Carton workshops, Fairy Garden workshops and creating bird and butterfly feeders.
12. Visit Chester Zoo’s new Heart of Africa zone
Ok, whilst Chester Zoo is not in Greater Manchester, it sure does make for a great day out during the school holidays. Chester Zoo has opened one of the biggest UK zoo habitats ever created, which will house 57 highly-threatened African species. The new Heart of Africa zone at the zoo, spanning more than 17 football pitches (22.5 acres), has been designed to recreate the grasslands of central Africa and features a vast open savannah where, for the very first time, visitors will encounter northern giraffes, Grevy’s zebras, roan antelopes and ostriches, all living together side-by-side.
13. Get stuck into interactive activities at the National Football Museum
The National Football Museum in Manchester is hosting a jam-packed programme of events for families over the holidays, designed to test your child’s creativity and thinking skills through interactive challenges, crafts, and activities. Kids can challenge their inner detective skills with ‘Goal Line Glow’, using LED lights and simple circuits to recreate iconic football moments and play a real-world version of ‘Spot the Ball’. Or why not design, build, and test their ultimate ball-kicking contraption with a variety of building materials?
14. Jump around at this huge inflatable outdoor bounce park
Inflatable park Open Air Bounce in Over Hulton, Bolton is back for the holidays and is perfect for keeping the kids entertained. Packed full of bouncy castles, slides, obstacle and assault courses, the park has 15 different inflatables, aiming to provide kids of all ages with lots of opportunities to play, bounce and burn off some energy. The park is open to all ages but provides the option of a separate area for under fours as well as offering ‘Sen Sessions‘, and welcomes adults to join in on the fun alongside their kids.
15. ‘Look for a Book’ as Manchester Festival of Libraries kicks off
Manchester’s Festival of Libraries is counting down to take off and begins with Look for a Book, which takes place from Friday 23 May to Sunday 1 June. A free family-friendly activity, this year’s challenge promises cosmic fun with stargazer extraordinaire Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock.
500 copies of Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock’s brilliant book Am I Made of Stardust? will be awaiting discovery in and around Greater Manchester’s 133 libraries, the green spaces of Manchester’s Spinningfields, the galleries of People’s History Museum and across the Bee Network during the half term holidays (Friday 23 May to Sunday 1 June). This is a game of finders keepers, with riddles to solve and clues to follow, and for some lucky winners there will also be the chance to meet Maggie in person during the festival.