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

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 Trek

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.

Courtesy of BeWILDerwood

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

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.

Courtesy of Turbary Woods Owl and Bird of Prey Sanctuary

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

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.

Quarry Bank Mill / National Trust
Spotlight on

Things to do in Blackpool

Fancy a festive day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Raver Tots at Escape to Freight Island
Family things to do in the North

As we move into festive season, Manchester and the North is packed with fun events and activities for families, both indoors and outdoors.

Music in the North

From Afrobeat to psychedelia, alternative rock to glistening pop, we take a look at some of the best gigs happening in early 2025.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

From contemporary dance to ballet classics, and cult rock ‘n’ roll musicals to new writing, our theatre guide spans the festive season and beyond.

Walker & Bromwich, Love Cannon, 2006, lambda print Photo:
Exhibitions in the North

Before the festive season completely takes over, we've rounded up some of the best exhibitions to see right now.

A man is dressed as an Elf in a decorated department store.
Cinema in the North

Get ready for animated classics, Muppet mayhem and a whole host of New York movies -- it's Christmas time in the cinema.