Things to do with babies in Manchester

Creative Tourist

Bottle, bottle warmer, food, nappies, nappy cream, nappy bags, toys, change of clothes… got everything? Schlepping a baby, a buggy and all the accompanying gear around the city centre can sometimes feel like mounting an expedition into the rainforests of Borneo; add another child and the chaos multiplies by ten. With this in mind, we know how important it is to know of safe and welcoming baby-friendly havens to visit, which not only keep the older kids and adults entertained, but also make Mum’s life much easier.

Here is our guide of things to do with babies in Manchester.

If you want more things to do with the kids, check out our regularly updated families guide which picks out the best cultural adventures for families in Manchester and the North.

Our top picks

Outdoor Art Club at The Whitworth

Outdoor Art Club at The Whitworth, Manchester, Until 19 July 2025, free entry - Visit now

Visit the Outdoor Art Club at the Whitworth Art Gallery, jam-packed with fun and creative activities designed to encourage your little ones to play freely while exploring nature and the outdoors with family and friends.

Toddler standing on grass with a paintbrush in hand turning to the right to look at the camera. He is wearing a navy blue rainsuit with a burgundy and navy blue long sleeved tiop underneath. He is standing in front of large cream coloured sheets that have been strung up on a washing line. The sheets have mud marks making on.
Fiona Jenkins

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, Manchester Barton Square, The Trafford Centre, Manchester, M17 8AS - Visit now

Great for the kids big and little, LEGOLAND is a great day out for families. Children under 5 can enjoy the  DUPLO Farm, and then have a tumble and play in the soft play area, no big kids allowed!

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

SEA LIFE Manchester

SEA LIFE Manchester, Trafford Palazzo, TraffordCity, Manchester, M17 8AS - Visit now

Perfect for children and animal enthusiasts alike, you’ll be able to dive into the unique stories of the oceans’ most fascinating residents, including clownfish, stingrays, sharks and sea turtles.

Giant Crab SEA LIFE Manchester
© Merlin Entertainments 2024

Heaton Park

Heaton Park, Middleton Road, Higher Blackley, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M25 2SW - Visit now

No grumpy babies here! Head to Heaton Park and Farm with your littlest one in full ‘sling’ and enjoy an Animal Centre for cuddling and petting plus a really lovely stroll around the stunning green grounds. Granted, baby will probably sleep the whole way through, but parents can enjoy the animals while sleepy one catches up on much needed kip!

Image courtesy GMCC

RHS Garden Bridgewater

RHS Garden Bridgewater, Occupation Road (Off Leigh Road), Worsley, Salford, Greater Manchester, M28 2GU - Visit now

A great day out for kids and adults of all ages. Stroll through the grounds of the spectacular 154-acre RHS Bridgewater Garden, with play areas, plant factories and butterfly gardens for the bigger-little kids, and lots of fresh air, green spaces and top facilities for the babies too.

RHS GARDEN BRIDGEWATER

The East Lancashire Railway

The East Lancashire Railway, Bury Bolton Street Station,, Bury,, Lancashire, BL9 0EY - Visit now

Babies will love a trip on the steam train at East Lancashire Railway. Choo Choo!

Manchester Craft & Design Centre

Manchester Craft & Design Centre, 17 Oak St, Northern Quarter, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 5JD - Visit now

Completing your hop around NQ, Manchester Craft & Design Centre offers a little respite from the hustle and bustle of city (and precious baby-changing).

Manchester Craft and Design Centre by Joel C Fildes.
Manchester Craft and Design Centre by Joel C Fildes.

Manchester Arndale

Manchester Arndale, Market Street , Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 3AQ - Visit now

The Arndale is a bit of a godsend for families, as you can go shopping while also knowing its relatively easy with your little one. Featuring up-to-date facilities for parents: separate baby changing and feeding rooms, parent and child stalls in the women’s rooms, and parent and child toilets. If you’re on your own with a pram, attendants will open an accessible toilet for you. On site cafes such as Starbucks, Costa Coffee (in Waterstones) and Cafe Nero, are handy places for a feed and all come with highchairs as standard. Watch out for (very) long lift queues at busy times, though.

Science and Industry Museum

Science and Industry Museum, Liverpool Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 4FP - Visit now

It’s worth having a look around all the museums in Manchester, but along with the National Football Museum, MSI feels especially family-friendly. There’s monthly activity sessions, soft play and quiet zone.

The Whitworth

The Whitworth, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M15 6ER - Visit now

Home to Art Baby, Music Baby and Welly Walks, it’s safe to say that the Whitworth wear their family-friendly heart of their sleeve. The Whitworth is an especially peaceful escape from the city but most art galleries in Manchester are perfect for running the buggy around.

The Whitworth
The Whitworth. Photo: Alan Williams.

Where to go in Manchester

Salford
Restaurant
Kallos Cafe & Wine Bar

Kallos is a Greek restaurant and wine bar in Salford, serving up exquisite dishes throughout the day and evening.

GET BAKED Opening Day
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
GET BAKED

Newly opened cakery in Stevensons Square, Northern Quarter Manchester. Get Baked brings all the Yorkshire charm and sweetness one of the city’s most popular squares.

Hinterland bar and cafe
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Hinterland

Alcohol-free bar and cafe in the heart of Northern Quarter. Serving mocktails, 0% beer and all your alcohol free favourites.

MediaCityUK
Café or Coffee Shop
Blanconero

High-level Italian food in Salford Quays, with no less than seven different lasagnas to choose from.

Manchester Factory international Festival - People enjoying Festival Square in the city centre
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Factory Square

Factory Square is a huge beer garden, on the banks of the River Irwell, with top-quality drinks and street food selections.

Manchester
Shop
House of Books & Friends

Playing a powerful role in the community, this venue functions as a bookshop, café and place to meet and chat with likeminded individuals.

Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Sett

Sett is an art café in West Didsbury, one of the areas many thriving independent businesses.

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UNITOM bookshop
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Image by Jonathan Schofield.
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A woman sits in a car with hands holding the steering wheel.
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Laura Ellen Bacon, Into Being, 2025. Photo © India Hobson, courtesy Yorkshire Sculpture Park
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Image by Jonathan Schofield.
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