10 family days out in Manchester for summer 2025

Got a WWE-obsessed youngster? Or a teen who’s into UFC and YouTube boxing? AO Arena has two big events this summer for fight fans – WWE on 26 August and Misfits Boxing on 30 August. (We don’t know who this guy is either but we like his style).

If your kids have been learning about The Titanic at school, give them the chance to show off their dark maritime knowledge at this interactive exhibition at Manchester Central – it’s on from 31 July to 24 August.

The incredibly pink Archies Atomic in The Trafford Centre has a midweek deal on skating for the summer holidays: it’s £8.50pp Monday-Thursday. Prices normally start from £15pp so now’s the time to go.

Roblox dramas doing your head in? Get them off the screen and into the fresh air at Dunham Massey’s ‘Summer of Play’. Daily activities, giant deckchairs, tipis, and picnic blankets make their North Park Play Hub the place to spend a summer’s day with the family. Drop-in workshops include circus skills, yoga, art sessions and dress up Fridays. It’s all included in the admission price.

Get your childhood nostalgia fix at the magical world of Quentin Blake in this fun family exhibition at The Lowry. As well as a vast collection of Blake’s illustrations, you’ll find interactive features, games, and chances to get creative. It’s free but you need to book a ticket. It’s open all summer.

If your kid loves cats, they’ll love this new exhibition at Manchester Museum. It tells the story of the discovery of a huge sleeping cat in the Arctic. Then you get to meet and stroke the fast-asleep feline yourself. It’s charming, thought-provoking and free. What’s more, with beanbags and a soft, purring soundtrack, it’s relatively relaxing for a kids’ day out.

We’re including this as one our favourite free places to go in the city centre. It’s got loads of scary slides, plus ice cream, coffee, and toilets – all the essentials for an easy trip out. And it’s only five minutes walk from Piccadilly Station.

The Operation Ouch! exhibition: Brains, Bogies and You is the big attraction at the Science and Industry Museum this summer. Tickets are £9 and there’s also lots of free activities running alongside it. Families can explore the ‘Bogie Lab’ and take their own pot of snot home, discover how brilliant our brains are with special challenges and even get their groove on in a daily silent disco. And… Dr Xand himself will be there on 12 August doing a Q&A and photos with visitors. In the name of science, get yourself a ticket.

The Summer Fair is back at The Trafford Centre for the school holidays. Head here for a splash park, giant beach, food trucks, fairground rides and a covered area with family activities. Entry is £3.50. Ride tokens cost £1 each with each ride costing from 1 to 5 tokens.

Aimed at kids aged one to eight, this enchanting play experience brings the world of Alice in Wonderland to life. Follow the white rabbit into magical scenes from the book – all designed to spark their imagination and sense of fun. Tickets are £12.60.