Family things to do in Manchester and the North

The Lost Words: Told In Gold at Heaton Park, Manchester, Until 1 October 2022, from £0.00 - Book now

Enjoy a world of nature and language in The Lost Words: Told in Gold at Heaton Park, an outdoor theatre performance inspired by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris’ beautifully illustrated children’s book, The Lost Words.

The Bubble Show at Waterside Arts, Manchester, 25 September 2022, from £7.50 - Book now

Float your way to Waterside Arts on 25 September to join the bouncy, wonderful Mr Bubbles at his Bubble Show, where you’ll be greeted with all sorts of bubbly fun, storytelling and magic.

Grandad Anansi at Z-arts, Manchester, 29 September 2022, from £9.00 - Book now

In celebration of Black History Month, and part of the Autumn season of events at Z-arts, Grandad Anansi tells an inspiring and heartwarming story of family, love, being brave, and letting go.

RNCM Young Explorers: Halloween Spooktacular at Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), Manchester, 16 October 2022, from £8.00 - Book now

Discover live orchestral music while also getting your spook on at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) on 16 October, just in time for Halloween.

Turn It Up: The Power of Music at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield, 21 October 2022–21 May 2023, from £6.00 - Book now

A world premiere exhibition comes to the Science and Industry Museum. Suitable for children and adults alike, Turn It Up: The Power of Music is an interactive experience exploring the science of music’s mysterious hold over us, and how it drives us to create, perform, feel and share.

Nick Sharratt's Halloween Drawalong at The Lowry, Salford, 30 October 2022, from £16.00 - Book now

Budding artists and creative souls are invited to join much-loved, super talented children’s author and illustrator Nick Sharratt for a special Halloween themed drawalong at The Lowry on 30 October.

Manchester Science Festival at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield, 21–30 October 2022 - Find Out More

What does the future hold for humanity? Come and explore this question and see cutting-edge scientific innovations and future developments at the Science and Industry Museum and other venues across Manchester this half term.

Manchester Folk Festival 2022: David Gibb's Family Jukebox at International Anthony Burgess Foundation (IABF), Manchester, 15 October 2022, from £11.00 - Book now

Join David and his magical Jukebox, as he takes you on an exciting, yet wacky musical adventure in this Manchester Folk Festival event for families.

Autumn season at Z-Arts at Z-arts, Manchester, Until 30 December 2022, free entry - Visit now

Autumn is just around the corner and Z-arts have announced an incredible season of events, with nature, play and creativity at their core.

Demon Dentist at Manchester Opera House, City Centre, 13–15 October 2022, from £13.00 - Book now

The spine-chilling, cold-hearted and quite frankly evil Demon Dentist is coming to the Manchester Opera House this Autumn, and she’s on the hunt for TEETH! Come along, if you dare….

The BFG in Pictures at Grosvenor Museum, Chester, Until 2 October 2022, free entry - Visit now

Roald Dahl fans and creative souls will not be disappointed at The BFG in Pictures, a new, free exhibition based at Chester’s Grosvenor Museum, featuring a number of original Quentin Blake illustrations, first prepared by Quentin for Roald Dahl’s much loved and classic story The BFG.

Fairy Tales at Z-arts, Manchester, Until 26 February 2023, from £3.00 - Book now

Fairy Tales at  Z-Arts is an innovative and enchanting exhibition that takes children aged 0-8 and their grownups to an interactive wonderland, jam-packed with storytelling and immersive play.

Electric Gamebox at Manchester Arndale, City Centre, Until 22 October 2022, from £5.00 - Book now

Step into the Electric Gamebox in the Arndale Centre in Manchester for a totally new digital gaming adventure experience. You’ll be mind blown by this interactive, fully private high-tech digital room full of fun and immersive arcade-style games and challenges.

Halloween in the City at Exchange Square, 29–30 October 2022, free entry - Find Out More

Halloween In The City is back to haunt Manchester over the Halloween weekend, with a petrifying programme of Halloween-themed events taking place across Manchester city centre.

Light Up Lancaster at The Storey Creative Industries Centre, Lancaster, 4–5 November 2022, free entry - Find Out More

Light Up Lancaster is back and taking place this November, with an astounding array of new light-themed installations and activities aimed to enchant and transport audiences into a mesmerising, glowing world without boundaries.

The Pumpkin Patch at Tatton Park at Tatton Park and online, 22–28 October 2022, from £4 - Book now

Pick a perfect pumpkin at the Pumpkin Patch at Tatton Park Farm this October. You can also visit your favourite farmyard friends and participate in The Lost Crystal quest taking place at Tatton’s medieval grounds.

Families at the National Football Museum at National Football Museum, Cathedral Quarter, Until 1 December 2022 - Book now

The National Football Museum in Manchester boasts a variety of football-themed activities for people of all ages. Prepare for a day of football discovery, penalty shoot-outs, interactive play and much, much more.

Mrs Doubtfire at Manchester Opera House, City Centre, Until 1 October 2022, from £13.00 - Book now

A hilarious and touching musical comedy about family, love, and friendship, Mrs Doubtfire, based on the much-loved 1993 film featuring Robin Williams, is live on stage at Manchester Opera House this autumn.