Things to do with kids in Manchester

Looking for things to do with kids in Manchester? The summer holidays are well underway and we have gathered together some of the best things you can do with the kids this summer in and around Manchester.

Join our mailing list and receive the Creative Tourist newsletter each Friday. Be the first to know about the latest family things to do as well as gigs, shows, concerts and places to eat and drink.

Never miss a thing!

We’re serious about protecting your privacy
and won’t share your details with anyone, ever
Read our privacy policy).

Cocoa Butter Club play at Refract: 21 Festival.

Festivals 22–31 July 2021,

REFRACT:21 at Waterside

Activity 20 July–12 September 2019,

Summer Holidays at Quarry Bank

Exhibitions 20 July 2019–29 November 2020, FREE

The Sun at the Science and Industry Museum

Families 27 July–1 September 2019, FREE

Playtime: Summer Family Activities at The Whitworth

Families 10 August 2019 11:00 am, FREE

Sadler’s Yard Summer Jam 2019

Festivals 8–9 August 2020, FREE

Caribbean Carnival of Manchester at Alexandra Park (CANCELLED)

Exhibitions 23 March–1 September 2019, Lyme admission prices apply (free for National Trust members) £2.50 for trail

The Lost Words at Lyme

Families 17–18 August 2019, from £11.50

Romeo and Juliet at Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens

Families 21–25 October 2019, from £10.00

The Lost Words: Told in Gold at Dunham Massey

People’s History Museum

Exhibitions 25 2018–8 September 2019, FREE

Rocket Returns to the Science and Industry Museum

Education 30 July–1 August 2019, from £18

School Holiday Drama Workshops at The Met

A World Inside A Book courtesy Suzi Corker

Exhibitions 12 February–26 October 2019, from £6

A World Inside a Book: Gruffalo, Dragons and Other Creatures at Z-arts

Exhibitions 19 July–3 November 2019, from £5

Roy of the Rovers – The Exhibition at the National Football Museum

Greater Manchester Police Museum

Culture Guides

Cinema in Manchester and the North

Black History Month, spooky screenings and the return of film festivals all feature in this month’s cinema guide.

Exhibitions

Fear not as we head into the darkness of winter; a brand-new arrival to Manchester’s festival scene is filling the city with light.

Families

From science-filled fun to spooky halloween adventures, we round-up the best family events taking place in Manchester and the North in the next few weeks.

Literature

Events for readers meet events for writers, with plenty of book launches, open mics, literature festivals, writing conferences and poetry showcases to pop into your diary for the rest of October and onwards into November, both online and in person.

Music

We’re now well into gig season and it’s proving to be a special one, with artists and audiences giving it their all. From atmospheric electronica to taut post-punk, there’s a whole lot to dig into in our new music guide.

Theatre

Black History Month, contemporary theatre commissions and captivating dance shows feature in this month’s eclectic theatre guide.

Classical Music in Manchester and the North

We preview the standout classical music events and venues in Manchester and the north.

Food and Drink in Manchester and the North

Food and Drink in Manchester and the North in October, with brand new launches and some exceptional menu reboots from old favourites.

Tours and Activities

Resist the urge to hibernate this autumn; our latest selection of tours and activities will have you out and about, making the most of what’s on offer in Manchester and the North.