40 things to do with kids in Manchester for half term

Nineties parenting is definitely a mood this year. Ok, so this isn’t the analogue trend that everyone’s raving about but it will probably go down better than a screen ban. Get lost in Sega and SNES at Arcade Club Bury.

The nature gallery may be partially closed for maintenance, but the impressive Egyptology collection is always a big draw – especially if your kids are studying pharaohs and pyramids.

Go-karting is good but what about actually being Pac-Man? At Chaos Karts you can do both. Being chased by ghosts round a virtual maze – the family will still be talking about this at Christmas. Be prepared to look a right spectacle.

When it comes to days out with kids in the North West, Chester Zoo is the big one. Literally. There are over 30,000 animals – and more than 520 different species – spread across 130 acres. It’s one of the most highly-rated zoos in the country and its huge size means there is plenty of space for the creatures who call it home – you don’t get that slightly icky feeling of looking at sad animals in small enclosures. There’s an all-new immersive 50-minute David Attenborough experience ready for half term.

Dino Falls Adventure Golf is the only landmark kids care about in Manchester. You can’t miss the volcano and huge dinosaurs as you drive past on the M60. What’s more, kids in Halloween fancy dress go free over half term – check the terms and conditions before rocking up in full zombie.

Autumn is a great time to visit Dunham Massey with the parkland changing into its seasonal colours of gold, orange and crimson. If it’s too cold or wet for deer-spotting, there’s a special tour of the house for children this half term.

With its steep South-facing Alpine rock garden, Fletcher Moss is a scenic spot for a stroll. Unless your kids are budding botanists, use it as a gateway to Stenner Woods where you can go pond dipping or play hide and seek.

Enjoy a free day out at Gallery Oldham with oil paintings, ammonites and historical artefacts. Bring some pencils and a sketchbook and kids will happily while away the hours (or at least 30 minutes) sketching details from their favourite paintings.

If rain stops play, kids can still burn off plenty of energy at Graystone. This super-welcoming adventure sports centre offers open sessions which give access to everything, from the climbing wall to the skate ramps. Alternatively, book an evening coaching session. Freestyle gymnastics, scooter club and BMX club are just some of the classes available.

There’s lots to do for kids at Heaton Park, including the free-entry animal centre which is home to chickens, goats, pigs, rabbits, alpacas, peacocks and some much-loved rabbits. There are also two play areas; head for the newer adventure playground near the boating lake.

Anyone with kids knows Bluey. Why not play a hi-tec version of Floor is Lava at Immersive Gamebox Manchester? It’ll keep your sofas intact as long as you don’t mind paying for soft furnishing peace of mind.

Yes, it’s sweaty but kids can cool down with a slushie afterwards. Inflata Nation has recently had an upgrade so check out the squishy climbing walls, super slides and bouncy basketball – the easiest way to jump high enough for a slam dunk.

Jodrell Bank isn’t just for half term – tickets get you year-long entry. There are dome shows aimed at kids you can buy as an add-on but it’s the whispering dishes that gets them giddy. Watch your little scientists transmit profound thoughts like ‘poo’ and ‘bum’ across the ether.

Junkyard Golf offers something a bit more out there than your standard seaside fare. It’s guaranteed to appeal to teens and tweens and the family tickets are good value.

Kickair brings together kicking activities and bouncing into the air activities in one slightly manic place. The Crossover Pass allows kids to experience it all: trampolines, inflatable adventures, ninja challenges and football.

There’a a Halloween twist at Knowsley Safari Park over half term. Follow the spooky trail around the foot safari in between checking out the regal tigers or Knowsley’s newest residents, two Andean bears. There are also seasonal crafts and interactive challenges mixing conservation and creepiness. Of course, the biggest thrill is driving through the monkey enclosure. Watch cars being shredded by cute little simian vandals and know that you too are going to be calling in at Halfords on the way home.

The vibe at Lane 7 in the Great Northern on Deansgate is part Blade Runner, part early MTV – it’s grungy, edgy and a little bit dystopian. But the experience is slick and professional with fast, friendly service. Air hockey and basketball are popular if expensive add-ons you don’t need to book.

Legoland Discovery Centre is Manchester’s ultimate Lego playground. Enjoy a mix of hands-on Lego construction activities and theme park-style entertainment. Take on tower building challenges on the earthquake tables, create aerodynamic cars to race, or play with intergalactic Lego sets in the Space Mission area.

The Lowry’s holiday calendar is definitely aimed at tots not teens. Upcoming shows include The Very Hungry Caterpillar and there’s also a cute exhibition of animals in literature. Think Elmer and We’re Going On A Bear Hunt rather than Moby Dick.

The best activities at Lyme Park are the walks around the estate – you can take in both The Cage and The Lantern in one folly-filled wander with a picnic part way round before finishing off in Crow Wood Play Area. There’s also a half-term Doors to Hallowtide trail. This outdoor art installation is a much classier take on spooky kids entertainment with hidden doors drawing on local folklore.

Mam Tor is one of the highlights of the Peak District. It’s a relatively easy climb even with young children. There’s a lovely circular walk which takes in the steps up to Mam Tor and its trig point then follows the ridge path to Hollins Cross before descending and walking along Broken Road. Kids will love the twisted tarmac shapes of what was once the A625.

The play gym sessions are popular in the half term holidays. It’s a bit of a free-for-all, with kids getting to try their hand at all sorts: from trampolines to rings to just diving in to a big pit of shredded foam. You have to book in advance and it’s a bit of a rigmarole but persevere.

At the Manchester City Stadium Tour you get to go behind-the-scenes at this world-famous football club. Get fully immersed in the magic with an audio-visual show in the home team changing room and walk down the players’ tunnel.

The half term activities at Manchester Museum are reliably good – something to have up your sleeve for rainy days. This October half term it’s all centred around sustainability with junk modelling and the chance to get creative with Halloween craft made from what we throw away. Of course, perennial favourites like Stan the T Rex and the cute but deadly little frogs in the Vivarium are always worth a look.

See Old Trafford stadium while you still can. The best way to experience it (aside from watching a game, of course) is to go on the behind-the-scenes Manchester United Museum and Stadium Tour. Highlights include the players’ tunnel, the managers’ dugout and the trophy room.

Manchester city centre is an urban desert when it comes to greenery. Mayfield Park isn’t large or lush if you want to touch grass but it has some of the best play equipment for kids and public toilets too. The slide over the water is the big draw but actually the steep chutes are faster and more fun.

MeetspaceVR Manchester is a virtual reality, immersive experience in a huge warehouse at Trafford Park. It’s a place where you can leave the real world behind and choose your own adventure from a range of thrilling games and set-ups. The VR Quest Arena is best for first-timers or younger players.

Do something wheelie good this half term with a programme of bike bootcamps at Manchester’s National Cycling Centre. Younger children can develop their balance bike skills or learn to ride a bike without stabilisers. More proficient cyclists can brush up their BMX skills or have a go at track cycling.

Build on that World Cup excitement with a trip to the National Football Museum. The Play Gallery is the interactive part with Pass Master and Shot Stopper. Watch out for extra charges for the Penalty Shootout.

The Northern Light Cinema is a world away from your nearest multiplex. Local picturehouses like this make movies more accessible (I’m currently lining up my fifth visit) but with comfortable velvet seating, it also feels like a luxury despite being much better value than the major chains.

Oxygen’s holiday pass offers five one-hour open play sessions for £30. If half term is a washout, it might not be a bad idea and at least it gets them off the screens and on to trampolines.

An open ice skating session at Planet Ice in Altrincham must be one of the coolest things you can do over half term. It’s the easiest rink to get to from Manchester before the festive pop-ups open up. There are also three and five-day learn to skate courses over half term.

Quarry Bank Mill is a must if you know someone studying the Victorians and the Industrial Revolution – the noise of those machines will be ringing in your ears for days. Try to book a tour of the apprentice house too – there’s a seasonal spooky special over half term. If you’re having a bit of time off anything that feels like learning over the holidays, you can enjoy the scarecrow festival.

This half term RHS Garden Bridgewater has a spooky plants trail featuring poisonous species with dark secrets. There’s also a chance to get up close with newts and snakes in a zoolab encounter or make a plant-powered magical charm although there’s a small extra charge for these activities.

Rock Over Climbing Sharston is the newest climbing centre from the respected Rock Over group – and it’s one of the friendliest, most colourful, and inclusive climbing spots around. The centre offers a range of regularly-changing bouldering routes of all levels from very easy beginner routes which are graded as VB through to testing climbs of V7 and above. Book a family induction if you’re not used to climbing because unless you’ve booked a lesson, you need to be confident supervising children yourself.

The big three at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum are the interactive gallery, Experiment, Power Up, the retro gaming celebration and Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos. This last one is the inspiration behind a series of space-themed half term workshops including a chance to animate your own stop-motion astronaut.

Sea Life Manchester is the city’s only aquarium. It isn’t enormous – for something bigger you’d have to travel to Blue Planet in Ellesmere Port – but there is plenty to keep the kids entertained for an afternoon. The Ocean Tunnel is my highlight; watch sharks, stingrays and sea turtles swimming overhead. 

The bouncy inflatable aspect of Total Ninja has been recently reconfigured (but isn’t as good according to my junior testers). However, it’s the ninja obstacles that are always the favourite. Size-wise most of these seem to have been designed with 10s and over in mind but that doesn’t stop younger ones launching themselves at the equipment and having a good try.

Wythenshawe Park is so much more than just a playground and a bit of green space. For a start, there’s a lot of green space and the playground is one of the better ones. There’s also a farm and almost as much cycling action as the velodrome. Check out the punp track, BMX tracks and forest trails for different abilities.

If you’re looking for a fun way to get outside and get active, try Zip World Manchester at Heaton Park. Face your fears on a high-rope aerial adventure in the woods. Depending on the age of your kids, choose from the full trek or mini trek. Forest tubing is the new activity for 2026.