Family things to do in Manchester and the North

Shekina Rose, Families Editor

As we move into March we can feel spring is in the air – we’ve even spotted some yellow daffodils! But the weather’s doing its usual temperamental thing, so we’ve pulled together both indoor and outdoor activities in this month’s Families guide, from children’s theatre to educational days out and interactive adventures.

Coming up in March, Peter Pan is soaring across the UK for Peter Pan Goes Wrong at the Manchester Opera House, with guaranteed chaos from start to finish. In April, families with little ones will be dazzled by Kaleidoscope at Z-arts, and over in Leeds, history fanatics will enjoy the fabulous food and dining exhibition at the magnificent Temple Newsam, open throughout the Easter Holidays. More Easter fun includes the super-sized family adventure at RHS Garden Bridgewater – keep your eyes peeled for those Easter eggs!

At the end of April, soar to new heights of inspiration with the uplifting tale of Larry Walters and his skyward adventure, at the world premiere of 42 Balloons at The Lowry.

Heading into summer, families are invited to a weekend of family fun and learning at the Manchester Histories Festival 2024, and the youngest theatre fans will be pleased to hear our favourite blue friend Bluey is coming to The Lowry in July.

Other exciting events in 2024 include the 100 Story Hotel at Z-arts, Awful Auntie and Madagascar the Musical at the Manchester Opera House, The Boy at the Back of the Class and Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book at The Lowry, Batteries Not Included at the National Football Museum and TOTFest Cheshire.

Our top picks

42 Balloons at The Lowry

42 Balloons at The Lowry, Manchester, 18 April–19 May 2024, from £29.50 - Book now

Soar to new heights of inspiration with the uplifting tale of Larry Walters and his skyward adventure at 42 Balloons at The Lowry.

The cast of 42 Balloons at The Lowry
The cast of 42 Balloons. Image courtesy of The Lowry.

Easter Holidays at Temple Newsam

Easter Holidays at Temple Newsam - Fabulous Food and Fancy Feasts at Temple Newsam, Leeds, 23 March–14 April 2024, from £4.20 - Book now

Embark on a journey of culinary history and uncover the secrets of food and dining from times gone by in the magnificent grounds of Temple Newsam.

Easter Holidays at Temple Newsam
Image supplied by Leeds Inspired

Peter Pan Goes Wrong at the Manchester Opera House

Peter Pan Goes Wrong at Palace Theatre, Manchester, 26–31 March 2024, from £13.00 - Book now

Get ready for some serious Pan-demonium at Peter Pan Goes Wrong this spring.

Peter Pan Goes Wrong at the Manchester Opera House
via ATG Tickets

The Giant Easter Egg Hunt at RHS Garden Bridgewater

The Giant Easter Egg Hunt at RHS Bridgewater at RHS Garden Bridgewater, Manchester, 29 March–14 April 2024, from £0.00 - Book now

Enjoy a super-sized family adventure at the Giant Easter Egg Hunt at RHS Garden Bridgewater, packed with Easter fun, treats and activities.

The Giant Easter Egg Hunt at RHS Garden Bridgewater
RHS Garden Bridgewater

Preston: City Event Programme

Preston: City Event Programme, 1 April–28 September 2024, free entry - Find Out More

From Easter egg rolling to the 50th anniversary Caribbean Carnival, there’s all manner of fun happening in Preston this year.

Image of a stage with a band playing and a crowd of audience members stood and sat down.
Michael Porter Photography

Kaleidoscope at Z-Arts

Kaleidoscope at Z-arts, Manchester, 27 April 2024, from £9.50 - Book now

Prepare to be dazzled in this mesmerising event taking you on a journey of discovery through an incredible symphony of the senses. For little ones aged 6-18 months.

Kaleidoscope at Z-arts Image of baby wearing kaleidoscope glasses and the words
Filskit Theatre

Manchester Histories Festival 2024

Manchester Histories Festival 2024, online, 6–9 June 2024, free entry - Find Out More

Make amazing memories with a weekend of family fun at the Manchester Histories Festival 2024, bringing history, culture and delight to the people of Manchester.

Manchester Histories Festival 2024
Manchester Histories

Bluey’s Big Play at The Lowry

Bluey's Big Play at The Lowry, Manchester, 31 July–11 August 2024, from £18.50 - Book now

Get ready for an exciting family adventure with Bluey, Bingo and their dad!

Bluey's Big Play at The Lowry
Darren Thomas

Awful Auntie at the Manchester Opera House

Awful Auntie at Palace Theatre, Manchester, 18–21 April 2024, from £18.00 - Book now

Prepare for a horrifying and heartwarming family adventure at the live-stage adaptation of David Walliam’s hilarious Awful Auntie.

Awful Auntie at the Manchester Opera House
via ATG Tickets

Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book at The Lowry

Charlie Cook's Favourite Book at The Lowry, Manchester, 23 July–4 August 2024, from £19.00 - Book now

Step inside the magical world of books and tales in this musical production inspired the original book, Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book, written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.

Charlie Cook's Favourite Book at The Lowry
Little Angel

The 100 Story Hotel at Z-arts

The 100 Story Hotel at Z-arts, Manchester, Until 31 July 2024, from £9.00 - Book now

Step inside the 100 Story Hotel at Z-arts and meet all sorts of peculiar guests while experiencing an immersive wonderland of play and storytelling.

The 100 Story Hotel at Z-arts
Z-arts

The Boy at the Back of the Class at The Lowry

The Boy at the Back of the Class at The Lowry, Manchester, 26–30 March 2024, from £16.50 - Book now

Enjoy a heartwarming tale of friendship and adventure at The Boy at The Back of the Class, based on the book by Onjali Q. Raúf.

The Boy at the Back of the Class at The Lowry
Image courtesy of Manuel Harlan.

TOTfest Cheshire

TOTfest at Chester Racecourse, Cheshire, 21 July 2024, from £12.00 - Book now

Tiniest festival goers can look forward to TOTfest Cheshire, packed with endless entertainment for kids and their grownups.

TOTFest Cheshire
TOTFest Cheshire

Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You at the Science and Industry Museum

Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You at Science and Industry Museum, Manchester, Until 2 June 2024, from £9.00 - Book now

Step inside the fascinating world of the digestive system and enjoy some seriously stinky science at the Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You exhibition at the Science and Industry Museum.

Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You
Science and Industry Museum

More families events

OUTDOOR ART CLUB AT THE WHITWORTH
Until
ChildrensManchester
Outdoor Art Club at The Whitworth

Enjoy fun and creative activities designed to encourage your little ones to play freely in the fresh air, while exploring nature and the outdoors with family and friends.

free entry
Easter Holidays in Manchester and the North
Spotlight on

Things to do over the Easter Holidays

Looking for some ideas to keep little and big kids as busy as the Easter bunny? Check out our guide.

Take me there

Family things to do in Manchester and the North

Manchester
Park
Platt Fields Park

Platt Fields Park in Fallowfield is steeped in history, the land having been acquired by the Platt family in 1225.

HOME Manchester
Manchester
Theatre
HOME Manchester

Now back open with a packed schedule of events and things to do, HOME Manchester is one of the city’s leading hubs for arts and culture.

Cumbria
Event venue
Penrith Old Fire Station

Main venue for Eden Arts, an artist-led organisation based in Eden in Cumbria creating projects around mass participation, local distinctiveness and digital engagement, from Picnic Cinema to The Winter Droving.

The MerseyMade building in Liverpool
Liverpool
Shop
MerseyMade

In the MerseyMade shop you’ll find bottled gin from the likes of Turncoat Gin, Anfield Gin, Albert Dock Gin and Three Graces Gin. Yep, Liverpool REALLY likes its gin.

The Hepworth Wakefield
Wakefield
Gallery
The Hepworth Wakefield

Winner of the 2017 Art Fund Museum of the Year Award, The Hepworth in Wakefield is easily one of the leading cultural highlights of the North.

Culture Guides

Teenage Dads
Music in Manchester and the North

Fresh concert seasons, forward-thinking festivals and a revolving door of amazing gigs. Things are looking bright as spring comes into view.