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You’ve made it through the first half term of the year (hopefully avoiding chicken pox, head lice or tonsillitis!), so make the most of this well deserved school holiday. As ever, there’s a huge range of creative, fun activities on offer for you to enjoy some quality time together as a family this half term in Manchester.
Don’t try and do too much. It’s tempting when you see how much the north has to offer, but take the time to find out what will spark the interest of your little ones and pick your personal favourites…
We’re particularly excited about a new staging of Alice in Wonderland at Waterside Arts. Not least because there’s an opportunity to meet the characters from the story after the show!
This could be your last chance to check out Digital Dimensions at Eureka! as it closes in early November. This immersive and highly interactive exhibition introduces children to cutting edge technology, such as motion-tracking projections, touch-triggered 3D shapes and luminous touch-sensitive pillars of light.
There’s lots on offer from The National Trust locally as well, with The Lost Words: Told in Gold at Dunham Massey, a new exhibition and trail at Quarry Bank Mill and an apple celebration week at Beningbrough Hall.
For more half term Manchester ideas also check out our guide to free family things to do in Manchester and the North.
Here are our picks
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1. October half-term at Quarry Bank
Paul Harris October half-term at Quarry Bank, 19 October–1 November 2019, free entry - Visit now
This half term Quarry Bank invites you to discover what life in the mill was really like, through family crafts and science experiments. Discover how mill work impacted the body, then let the family run wild in the picturesque meadow and woods.
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2. Autumn at Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens
, 5 March 2019–1 March 2020, Normal admission charges apply/free to National Trust members
A week a different activities at Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens exploring the magic of trees for the school October half-term holidays.
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3. Half Term at Chill Factore
Half Term at Chill Factore at Chill Factore, 19 October–3 November 2019, from £7.00 - Book now
Chill Factore is about much more than just learning to ski and snowboard… hit the Downhill Donuts of the Snow Park and explore Mini Moose Land with the under 4s.
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4. The Lost Words: Told in Gold at Dunham Massey
Chris Payne Images The Lost Words: Told in Gold at Dunham Massey, 21–25 October 2019, from £10.00 - Book now
A fully inclusive outdoor theatre experience for families based on the beloved children’s book by Robert MacFarlane and Jackie Morris.
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5. We Were There at Imperial War Museum North
IWM IWM North - We Were There at Imperial War Museum North (IWM North), Manchester, 22–24 October 2019, free entry - Find Out More
These unique ‘meet the veterans’ events will give your family first-hand insight into the impact war has on people’s lives, from being evacuated during the Second World War, to living through the Korean and Falklands Wars.
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6. Girls Night Out: Moon Special at Jodrell Bank
Girls Night Out: Moon Special at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, 25 October 2019, 7:00 pm–10:00 pm, from £14.50 - Book now
The ever-popular Girls Night Out returns to Jodrell Bank to inspire and celebrate women and girls in STEM. This event is a moon special to mark the 50th anniversary of the moon landings.
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7. Digital Dimensions at Eureka!
Credit: Jonathan Pow/jp@jonathanpow.com -
8. Planetarium Shows at World Museum Liverpool
Planetarium Shows at World Museum Liverpool, City Centre, 1 January–30 December 2019, from £2 - Book now
Take your family on a trip through space and time in this fully immersive cinema experience.
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9. Yorkshire Sculpture Park
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10. A-Z of Salford’s Collections at Salford Museum and Art Gallery
Salford Musuem A-Z of Salford's Collections at Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Manchester, 16 March 2019–23 February 2020, free entry - Visit now
Discover how Victorian gentlemen protected their moustaches from tea, which monarch’s pair of stockings reside in Salford, get up close to incredible art and more.
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11. Telescope Walking Tours at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre
Jodrell Bank Telescope Walking Tours at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, 9 January 2019–9 January 2020, free entry - Visit now
Join one of the Centre’s Explainers as they take you on a tour of the iconic Lovell Telescope. Find out how it came to be and discover more about the ground breaking research it enables.
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