Summer Holidays: the best things to do with kids

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

Summer holidays in Manchester and the North are here again and school’s out for six heady weeks of adventuring.  Read on for ideas of cultural things to do together to make long-lasting memories (and also achieve precious hours of relative sanity during the hols). Indoor, outdoor, free, ticketed…whatever you fancy, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s our first lot of summer holiday highlights, but we’ll update this each week, so do keep checking back.

Also, while you’re here – and to make that budget go further – take a look at our round-up of the best free things to do with kids in Manchester. Also, don’t miss our guides to parks, our top picks of adventure activities happening across the North, and our families guide for other longer-term capers.

Our top picks

The Railway Children at Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

The Railway Children at Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, Bradford, Until 7 September 2025, From £10.00 - Book now

Steam-powered storytelling at its very best and perfectly staged for Bradford 2025, this much-loved classic is pulling into the station in spectacular style this summer.

The Railway Children at Keighley and Worth Valley Railway
Courtesy Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture. Image credit: James Glossop.

Summer at Aviva Studios

Factory Summer at Aviva Studios, Manchester, Until 31 August 2025, Free entry - Visit now

Head into the city for a dreamy summer of live events (many completely free) all by the riverside at Aviva Studios.

Summer at Aviva Studios
Image courtesy of Factory International.

Summer at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Summer of Fun at Elizabeth Gaskell's House at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, Manchester, 6–28 August 2025, From £0.00 - Book now

With creative crafts, dress-up, outdoor garden games and the beloved Cranford the cat trail, there’s a giddy summer of fun waiting at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House.

African American boy with friends in the grass exploring and looking nature with the magnifying glass.Education outdoor concept.

Haphazard 2025 at Z-arts

Haphazard 2025 at Z-arts, Manchester, 2 August 2025, Free entry - Find Out More

A free day of bizarre behaviour and exciting live performance at Z-arts. Expect the unexpected. Playful, unpredictable, and not easily forgotten.

Haphazard 2025 at Z-arts
Image courtesy of Z-arts

Festa Italiana at Cathedral Gardens

Festa Italiana at Cathedral Gardens, Manchester, 22–24 August 2025, Free entry - Find Out More

See Cathedral Gardens Manchester transformed into Little Italy for Festa Italiana, the country’s biggest festival celebrating Italian food, drink and culture.

Treetop Trek Heaton Park

Treetop Trek Heaton Park, Heaton Park St Margaret's Road, Manchester, M25 2GT - Visit now

Both kids and adults are welcome to test their bravery in the canopies of Heaton Park. Unleash your inner Indiana Jones on the 14 zip lines and 20 aerial challenges set above the beautiful parkland.

Treetop Adventure Manchester
Treetop Adventure Manchester.

BeWILDerwood

BeWILDerwood, Bickley Moss, Whitchurch, Cheshire, SY13 4JF - Visit now

A full day of adventuring awaits. Run wild in Cheshire and enjoy fun, forest activities inspired by the world of BeWILDerwood, based on the books by Tom Blofeld.

Little Moreton Hall

Little Moreton Hall, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 4SD - Visit now

With its beautifully charming and quirky style, Little Moreton Hall offers an iconic Tudor manor house, moat, manicured knot garden and plenty of fun activities for everyone.

Little Moreton Hall
Little Moreton Hall

Turbary Woods Owl and Bird of Prey Sanctuary

Turbary Woods Owl and Bird of Prey Sanctuary, Turbary Woods, 92 Chain House Lane, Whitestake, Preston, Lancashire, PR4 4LB - Visit now

Kids will love the thrill of having a bird of prey swoop to land on their arm. With over 90 birds of prey resident here, Turbay Woods Owl and Bird of Prey Sanctuary offers the chance to do just this.

Chill Factore

Chill Factore, 7 Trafford Way, Manchester, M41 7JA - Visit now

The winner of Manchester Tourism’s ‘Access for All’ Award and home to the UK’s largest indoor ski slope, Chill Factore is a welcoming environment where you can get your pulse up as you speed down real snow slopes… a great option for those inevitable wet days.

Three children with an instructor on the slope at Chill Factore

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton, Wakefield, Yorkshire, WF4 4LG - Visit now

Explore Yorkshire Sculpture Park’s award-winning 500 acres in all weather with additional family events like Outdoor Sculpture Building, Family Summer Walks and the Family Studio Space.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Image courtesy Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

Quarry Bank

Quarry Bank, Styal, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 4HP - Visit now

Avoid those cries of boredom. Hotfoot it to Quarry Bank for open-air theatre, guided walks and themed activities. A jam-packed day out inspired by the great outdoors.

Image by Jonathan Schofield.
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