Rain can’t stop play when there’s so much indoor fun on the cardsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
The Cat That Slept for a Thousand Years is at Manchester Museum this summer(Image: Manchester Museum)
It might well be the summer holidays, but we don’t always get the sunshine to go with it.
That doesn’t mean the fun needs to stop though, as there are loads of indoor events and activities to keep kids of all ages entertained.
From museums and indoor beaches, to train rides and karting, there’s no end to the places you can visit to keep dry and have a good time.
With families watching the pennies more than ever, we’ve included plenty of free activities to make the most of too, as well as a list of places kids eat free or for £1 here.
To make sure you’re always up-to-date with events, you can sign up to our Manchester Family newsletter or join our FREE Manchester Family WhatsApp group by clicking here.
Here’s our full round-up of indoor events and things to do in and around Greater Manchester this summer…
The Cat That Slept For a Thousand Years, Manchester Museum
There’s a giant 10-metre-long sleeping cat you can visit this summer at Manchester Museum.
The world-first event is being billed as the museum’s ‘most imaginative exhibition yet’ and is open to the public now.
Called The Cat That Slept For a Thousand Years, the huge robotic cat breathes, purrs and twitches its ears and tail in response to human touch.
Bean bags are set up around the cat so that visitors can relax alongside it, or you can also get up close to the giant animal and rub his chin, tickle his belly and paws, and watch as his ears twitch. His purrs become more intense as they react to your presence.
The Cat That Slept for a Thousand Years is at Manchester Museum this summer(Image: Manchester Museum)
Younger visitors can also write the cat a letter at the end of the exhibition for when he eventually awakes from his slumber, as well as draw their own cat portraits and see a wall of real life cats sent in by members of the public.
It’s free to enter, but visitors need to book a timed ticket online as museum bosses are expecting a huge amount of people heading along to see the spectacular new addition to the venue on Oxford Road.
As part of the event there’s a free family programme at the Manchester Museum, which will also see a huge interactive snail making its way to Manchester city centre this weekend.
Luma is a nine-metre-long, inflatable, robotic snail, brought to life by creative robotics studio Air Giants, who are also responsible for the giant cat.
Like the cat, Luma uses air flow to move around, drawing inspiration from the extraordinary range of flexing and contorting motion found in bio-mechanics to create a beautiful range of movement.
She will perform in St Ann’s Square for two days on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 August, from 10am until 4pm. It’s a free experience that’s open to all.
The giant snail is taking to the streets of Manchester this weekend(Image: Supplied)Angry Birds, Sea Life Manchester
Angry Birds are visiting Sea Life Manchester to host what promises to be ‘an energetic activity trail for the whole family’ this summer.
The Angry Birds are, well… angry, at the way their fishy friends’ world is being treated. So to help save it the only way they know how, the feathered frenzies are heading out into the big blue to teach visitors all about the incredible underwater world and the creatures that live within it.
Between now and August 10, Angry Birds will be leading the way to educate children all about marine life threats, as well as the importance of protecting the ocean and its inhabitants.
To find out more and book tickets, visit the website.
An Angry Birds event is on at Sea Life(Image: Sea Life)Summer of Fun, Printworks
A whole Summer of Fun is taking place at Printworks, which is hosting a giant sandpit, deckchairs beneath Europe’s largest digital ceiling and free interactive games running everyday throughout August.
Promising ‘a city-centre escape that won’t break the bank’ the giant glowing ceiling will beam out beach-themed content including animated visuals, quizzes, and a live leaderboard.
An interactive crowd gaming experience, where up to 100 players at a time can take part in high-energy digital games using just their smartphones, is set to be the daily highlight, with visitors able to scan the on-screen QR code to join in.
In addition to the daily beach-themed fun, every Thursday will feature a brand-new line-up of free, hands-on experiences for families, running from 10am to 4pm in the Pumpyard. From live DJs, World’s Largest PAC-MAN, and giant games to creative challenges for kids, each Thursday promises a different reason to visit.
Summer of Fun is coming to Printworks(Image: Printworks)
The Thursday schedule includes:
- Thursday 7 August – Soft Touch Archery, a safe and exciting way for all ages to try their hand at archery.
- Thursday 14 August – Giant Games Takeover, with super-sized versions of Jenga, Connect 4 and more.
- Thursday 21 August – The return of the World’s Largest PAC-MAN, giving visitors the chance to play retro arcade games on a massive scale.
- Thursday 28 August – Basketball Challenge, where guests can shoot hoops and compete with friends.
Families can also take advantage of an exciting line-up of activities and offers across many of Printworks’ venues. Enjoy free face painting every weekend at Treetop Golf, kids eat free at Chiquito, £8 kids’ meals at Big Licks, and Mighty Mornings at Vue where cinema tickets for children are just £2.49.
Ideal for kids aged four to 11, films will include Lilo & Stitch (w.c.11 July & w.c. 18 July), A Minecraft Movie (w.c. 25 July), How To Train Your Dragon (w.c. 1 August & w.c. 8 August) and Elio (w.c. 15 August & w.c. 22 August).
For little ones, Vue will be bringing some of the most popular children’s characters back to the big screen as part of its Big Shorts series. Aimed at children between 1 and 4, the screenings are hosted in a relaxed environment with dimmed lighting. This summer, younger viewers can look forward to a special bumper screening of the CBeebies Musical: The Great Ice Cream Hunt.
There are family favourites too, like the latest animated outing of Smurfs and one of the most anticipated summer releases with director James Gunn’s reimagined take on Superman, bringing DC Comics’ iconic hero to the big screen once more.
For more details visit the website.
Tickets for Mighty Mornings screenings cost just £2.49 at Vue(Image: Vue)HOME’s Family Festival
Little HOME is returning to HOME this August with families invited to enjoy ‘a fun-filled weekend of creativity and entertainment’.
On August 2 and 3, visitors are promised ‘an exciting programme of free activities for all ages’, including performances by Skylight Circus Arts, lively dance sessions, and craft workshops.
There’s Mama G’s storytelling, campfire tales, a Bhangra and Dhol drumming workshop, and a theatre performance of The Big Bad Wolf. For more details visit the website.
HOME’s Family Festival is back this summer(Image: HOME)Trafford Palazzo
There’s lots to keep families entertained inside Trafford Palazzo this summer.
The venue is hosting the TP Palazzo Games and will be transformed into ‘a spectacular Roman-inspired arena’ filled with fun, play, and adventure. Families can participate in free activities, including our Gladiator Joust, sporting challenges, creative craft stations, and live entertainment every Saturday.
Running daily 11am to 4pm from July 19 to August 31, entry is free and you can see the full rundown of activities here.
It’s also hosting a Big Summer Screen event showing a range of films and live sport including the Women’s Euros and F1 Grand Prix. Visitors can grab some tasty treats from the likes of Archie’s, King Pins and EL&N to enjoy while watching the action.
If you fancy a skate at Archie’s Atomic this summer then the pink roller rink is offering school holiday deals with midweek skating sessions, Monday to Thursday, for £8.50, a saving of 43%. Book using the code SUMMER2025 and see the terms and conditions here.
Archie’s is open seven days a week from 10am-10pm, with the milkshake bar serving shakes, waffles, and ice cream from 10am, and the kitchen open from 11am.
For those wanting to skate all summer long, it’s also launching a limited number of 28-day passes giving guests up to 2 hours of skating per day for just £60.
Archie’s Atomic roller rink inside Trafford Palazzo (Image: Manchester Family / MEN)Quentin Blake and Me, Lowry
A major new free family exhibition celebrating the work of one of Britain’s most popular writers and illustrators, Quentin Blake, is running at Salford’s Lowry arts centre this summer.
It follows in the footsteps of the hugely successful Gruffalo exhibition which saw families flock to the venue in the school holidays across 2023.
Blake is known for his distinctive and playful style, and has written or illustrated over 500 books. It includes working with famous authors like Roald Dahl, David Walliams, and Michael Morpurgo.
His iconic illustrations have vividly brought to life some of the most beloved characters in children’s fiction, from The BFG and The Twits to Mr. Stink, captivating the imaginations of readers young and old.
The new exhibition is called Quentin Blake and Me and features a wide range of Blake’s instantly recognisable work as well as fun interactives, games to play, and opportunities for visitors to write and draw their own stories, all whilst being immersed in Blake’s magical world.
Quentin Blake and Me is running at Lowry from July 19 2025 to January 4 2026. It is free to enter, but there will be timed entry, with bookings available on Lowry’s website.
A new free family-friendly exhibition, Quentin Blake and Me is on at the Lowry this summer(Image: Lowry)Titanic Exhibition, Manchester
An immersive Titanic Exhibition is coming to Manchester in time for the school holidays.
The exhibition tells the story of the famous ship, from its design and construction in Belfast to its maiden voyage and tragic sinking, alongside its impact on film and television.
A rare collection of artefacts from the Titanic will be on display, including a surviving fragment of the grand staircase and several relics retrieved from the sea.
Letters and personal belongings of passengers and crew will tell individual stories, such as sheet music from Lancashire-born Wallace Hartley, the ship’s band leader.
You can also experience the story of the Titanic through ‘striking’ visuals, recreations, and sound and video.
It’s open at the Exchange Hall from July 31 to August 24. Tickets can be booked on the website and cost £9.99 for children and £21.99 for ages 15 plus. Under fives go free.
Captain welcomes guests into the Titanic Exhibition in Manchester, now on until August 24(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You
If you haven’t yet had the chance to checkout the blockbuster exhibition Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You, it’s still running at the Science and Industry Museum this summer – with Dr Xand making an appearance himself on August 12.
A second collaboration with the hit BBC show, it launched in February and features the show’s presenters Dr Xand and Dr Ronx as virtual guides for visitors, who get to become tiny brain explorers – setting out to investigate Dr Chris’ senses before being sneezed out of his giant nose.
From poking around inside a giant eyeball and journeying through an ear canal covered in gooey wax, to being sneezed out through sticky snot, there’s nothing kids won’t love about the new exhibition.
Dr Ronx and Dr Xand launching Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You(Image: Science Museum Group)
Mini medics are invited to explore their own brilliant brains by banging on an eardrum, venturing into a massive eyeball and even taking a whiff of a ‘smell library’ during what promises to be ‘a lively, interactive and playful adventure’.
Dr Xand will be popping up at the museum on Tuesday, August 12, when visitors will have the chance to ask him their burning questions in Q&As and snap a selfie with the TV star.
Tickets are priced at £10, with children three and under going free. To find out more and book your tickets, visit the website here.
There’s lots of free fun happening across the school holidays too, as well as the popular Power Up exhibition, giving families the chance to explore five decades of play.
Billed as ‘the ultimate gaming experience’, visitors can discover how far computer games have come. From retro favourites like Pac-Man and Street Fighter to virtual reality, there’s something for all the family with over 100 consoles to experience.
A day pass costs £8, or you can get an annual pass for £15, giving access to the experience for a whole year. See the website here for more.
Power Up gaming exhibition at the Science and Industry Museum(Image: Manchester Family/MEN)Legoland Discovery Centre Manchester
A Summer of Play event is running at Manchester’s Legoland over the holidays.
Running from now until September 7, it promises the educational programme ‘will enable families to discover their inner play mode, whether they love to create, discover, build, dance, or simply play in their own special way’.
As part of the fun, families can join a workshop to learn how to create a Lego bee, some of which will be chosen to be displayed in the attraction’s flower cart.
Families are also being encouraged to come together and design their very own take on what they believe a ‘playful city’ should look like. Supported by the Master Model Builder Jacob McPeake, he’ll be on hand to offer some inspiration.
There will also be the opportunity for children to boogie to the DJ GoodVibes dance party and have a photo taken with a Lego character.
For tickets and more details, visit the website.
A Summer of Play event is running at Manchester’s Legoland Discovery Centre(Image: Manchester Family / MEN)Arcade Club Bury
You can play earlier and for longer at the Arcade Club in Bury, which extends its opening hours in the school holidays.
The Ela Mill venue features hundreds of retro and modern machines over four floors and gamers have been flocking there since it opened in 2015.
There’s everything from Pac-Man and Space Invaders to Donkey Kong and Sega Rally and kids can play their modern favourites like Fortnite and Rocket League.
It’s open Thursday to Sunday opening at 11am and closing at 11pm on Thursday and Saturday, midnight on Friday and 8pm on Sunday.
The £10 entry fee is for kids aged five to 15 to play all day long. If adults want to play too it’s £18 per adult, or £46 for a family. For more information, or to book tickets, visit the website.
Arcade Club Bury(Image: Manchester Family/MEN)Adventures in Wonderland, Z-arts
Z-arts is inviting families to tumble down the Rabbit Hole to experience their own magical Adventures in Wonderland this summer.
Created in partnership with Macmillan Children’s Books, the immersive play experience celebrates the 160th anniversary of one of the most loved children’s books of all time, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Stepping into the shoes of Alice, children will find things in Wonderland become ‘curiouser and curiouser’. Greeting you as your storyteller is the White Rabbit, and from the shape shifting Cheshire Cat to a game of croquet with flamingos, there are scenes that will be familiar, including the chance to take your place at the Mad Hatter’s tea party.
Tunnels to crawl through, mazes to get lost in, fairground mirrors to amuse and a ball pool to ‘splash’ into, plus interactive games and sensory areas, all ‘bring Lewis Carroll’s fantastical world to life’.
The Z-arts’ café, Butties and Books, will be serving tea party themed food and of course jam tarts.
Tickets cost £12 (plus 60p booking fee), with a family ticket for four priced at £40 (plus £2.40 booking fee). All sessions are timed and running throughout the holidays. Book on the website here.
Adventures in Wonderland is at Z-arts in Hulme(Image: Abbie Jennings/Z-arts)Jodrell Bank
Jodrell Bank is home to the UK’s largest radio telescope and there’s lots happening to keep children of all ages entertained this summer.
Budding rocket scientists can try stomp and air-powered rockets at the new Rocket Lab and be wowed by exciting ‘whoosh bottle’ demonstrations.
You can also enjoy weekly screenings of ‘Ted’s Space Adventure’ in the immersive Space Dome, perfect for introducing little space explorers to the wonders of the Solar System.
If that’s not enough, the Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibition will be on tour at Jodrell for the final weekend of August with interactive activities, talks, and films.
All tickets are now annual – book online to save 10% (terms and conditions may apply).
There are lots of activities on offer at Jodrell Bank (Image: Jodrell Bank)My Pet Pals workshops, Pets at Home
If you’ve got a little animal lover or two then you might want to check out the free My Pet Pals workshops at Pets at Home stores which are running across the whole summer.
Children can enjoy a variety of free activities, including creating and designing animal characters and completing their own activity sheets.
Children will also get an opportunity to meet some the pets, as the in-store pet care advisors teach them how to handle small animals like guinea pigs, hamsters and rats with care.
At the end of the interactive workshop, children will receive a My Pet Pals certificate and a sticker to take home.
The free 45-minute workshops start at 2pm and run from July 19 to August 31. To book one near you visit the website here.
Free My Pet Pals workshops are back at Pets at Home(Image: Manchester Family / MEN)National Football Museum
Families can step into the story of football at the National Football Museum this summer, which is hosting its blockbuster exhibition, From Pitch to Page: The Magic of Football Annuals.
Promising ‘an immersive, playful journey through decades of football nostalgia’, visitors are invited to explore four zones filled with iconic moments, interactive quizzes, and nostalgic editions.
You can also join in the Creative Kickabout during the school holidays – hands-on activities that celebrate football through a mixture of art, play and performance.
The museum is free entry to city of Manchester residents, or for those outside the city it’s £9 for children, £15 for adults and £39 for a family. All tickets are valid for 12 months, with unlimited visits. Children under five go free. Book via the website.
Families can step into the story of football at the National Football Museum(Image: Manchester Family / MEN)Football City, Art United, Aviva Studios
There’s more football fun on offer at Aviva Studios which is hosting its big summer exhibition Football City, Art United.
An ambitious group exhibition for MIF25, it presents new artworks created by 11 legendary footballers and 11 contemporary artists.
Housed at Aviva Studios, the home of Factory International, the works explore what happens when two worlds known for flair and imagination – both on the pitch and the studio – come together.
Conceived by World Cup and Champions League winner Juan Mata, curator and Serpentine Galleries Artistic Director Hans Ulrich Obrist, and curator, writer and filmmaker Josh Willdigg, the project invites its creative teams to step into one another’s fields and ask: what can art and football learn from each other?
The event gives visitors a chance to walk through a ‘players’ tunnel’, step onto ‘the pitch’, and explore powerful sculptures, moving animations, and even have a kick-about. It’s billed as ‘football like you’ve never seen it before’ – full of creativity, colour and play.
Running until August 24, kids go free with an adult ticket costing £15. Concessions £7.50.
World Cup and Champions League winner Juan Mata at the launch of Manchester International Festival 2025(Image: David Levene)Chaos Karts
The UK’s first live action video game karting experience is right here in Manchester at the Arcade Arena near the Science and Industry Museum.
Chaos Karts combines real-life racing with augmented reality and makes it feel as if you’re inside a game of Mario Kart.
Each player has their own kart and, just like Mario, you get to pick your own avatar and even the colour of your vehicle. The players are real, the karts are real and the racing experience is real – you whizz around an actual track. But the track changes each time, as it’s projected onto the floor along with the rest of the landscape that surrounds you, and soon there will be four new ones to choose from.
Drivers have to be a minimum age of 11 and be at least 5ft tall (1.5m) to take part. Tickets, costing from £23 each, can be booked online on the website. Guests who aren’t playing can book a free companion ticket online.
Chaos Karts in Manchester city centre(Image: Manchester Family / MEN)PAC-MAN Live Experience
A new PAC-MAN Live Experience also opened at the home of Chaos Karts earlier this year.
This interactive, immersive experience lets you take on the identity of PAC-MAN himself and drops you into a real-life video game where you are chased by ghosts.
Inside, players get to become ‘PAC-People‘ as they attempt to collect power pellets and fruit and desperately try to avoid those pesky ghosts, named Blinky, Pinky, Inky and Clyde.
The experience, a collaboration between Little Lion Entertainment and Bandai Namco Entertainment, features teams of eight people as they experience twelve different levels inspired by the video game. Channelling your best Chomper, visitors wear a specially-designed PAC-Vest where no headsets are required.
The multi-sensory, wearable technology is able to tally up collected points throughout the experience, with haptics and lighting displays further helping to fully immerse people into the world of the video game.
Open seven days a week, standard tickets start from £26 each and there is a small discount applied for family bookings. Sessions last around 60 minutes, including 30 minutes of gameplay.
Bookings for the PAC-MAN Live Experience can be made here.
Players will make their way through a number of different life-size mazes(Image: Bandai Namco/Little Lion Entertainment)Manchester Art Gallery
There’s free fun for families at Manchester Art Gallery this summer.
Creative Families sessions run between 1pm and 3pm every Tuesday to Thursday in August inside the Clore Art Studio, also known as the Lion’s Den.
Drop in to join a group of artists running creative making sessions, using a range of materials and techniques. Each session is different.
Visit the website for more details.
Manchester Art Gallery(Image: Manchester Art Gallery)The Crystal Maze
If you’ve always fancied giving the maze a go then you can get 50% off tickets through the summer holidays.
It’s an opportunity to work together with your team, solve puzzles, and conquer the maze, just like the contestants from the 90s’ TV show. Take your bold leap into this ‘frantic, frenetic and fun world of adventure and nostalgia’ as seen on BBC’s Blue Peter.
Contestants get to tackle games in the zones including Aztec, Industrial, Futuristic and Medieval.
Tickets can be booked on the website here with the discount applied at checkout for visits between July 28 and August 29.
The Crystal Maze is offering half price tickets(Image: DAILY EXPRESS)Imperial War Museum North, Trafford
There’s lots of free fun happening at the Imperial War Museum North this summer.
Activities take place daily throughout the school holidays with drop-in Story Seekers sessions where you can explore the collection with a trail and discover compelling real-life stories with your family.
From survival at sea to astonishing acts of bravery, learn about the people behind the objects and the extraordinary circumstances they found themselves in.
Crack the Code also runs from July 26 to September 2, where visitors can collect a trail sheet and help Second World War veteran Bernard to ‘crack the code’ as he makes his way home after the end of the Second World War. Discover stories and objects covering historical moments, from VE Day, VJ Day, and rationing, which continued to be part of life well after wartime.
On Wednesdays – 30 July, 6 August, 13 August, and 20 August – it’s We Were There: Families where you can meet IWM’s veterans and eyewitnesses of conflict to gain a unique insight into the impact of war on people’s lives.
You’ll hear an array of personal stories, recollections, and powerful memories from those who have experienced conflict first-hand, ranging from driving a tank to being evacuated from the place they called home. Visit the website for more details.
Imperial War Museum North(Image: IWMN)East Lancashire Railway
There’s all sorts of fun happening at the East Lancashire Railway over the holidays.
Various events take place over different dates throughout the summer, including The Wizarding Adventure on July 27.
Designed especially for children aged 5 to 12, but open to anyone with a love of magic, The Wizarding Adventure sees little ones arriving as Harry Potter characters and ‘promises enchantment for the whole family’.
Other events include a Day Out with Thomas on August 2 and 3, Travel to Wonderland on August 8, Villain Academy on August 15 and Peppa Pig on August 21 and 22.
Little ones can meet their favourite cheeky little piggy and continue the fun by enjoying some fun fair rides, face painting, craft activities and even a petting farm to meet some furry friends.
To find out more, or to book, visit the website here.
The Wizarding Adventure at East Lancashire RailwayManchester Arndale
Manchester Arndale has loads on offer for families over the school holidays.
For free fun, Waterstones has plenty of free character, craft and story events in-store throughout August, including ‘Create Your Own Bookmark’ and ‘Colouring’ Crafternoons, as well themed events on popular children’s books such as ‘The Day the Crayons Made Friends’. Head to the Waterstones website for more details.
A brand-new Lego store has recently opened, which has doubled in size and now includes a giant Pick-a-Brick wall and Build-a-Minifigure station.
And on August 16 and 17 it’s the Pride Weekender celebration with even more family-friendly fun. There’ll be free live drag performances, including Lip Sync Brawl from the team at Getto Fabulous, and mini-makeovers from amazing brands like BPerfect, Lush, The Body Shop and Space NK. Think glitter brows and rainbow face art – in exchange for a small donation to Pride.
Summer Scran Fest is also back for August with a full month of offers across 30+ restaurants, cafés, kiosks and leisure venues at the Arndale. From August 1 to 31, you can get up to 25% off, BOGOF and kids eat free deals from favourites such as Barburrito, Boost, McDonald’s and HOP. Pick up a voucher booklet in the centre or download your offers from the website.
There’s lots more fun on offer at the Arndale too including Immersive Gamebox with hyper immersive adventures, including kid-friendly games from Angry Birds to Shaun the Sheep. Or choose from one of two family-fun activities at Urban Playground. Team up and try and beat The Cube as a family (ages 9+) or compete against each other and see who can get the most holes in one at Putters (ages 5+) tech-infused golf.
The Cube at Manchester Arndale(Image: Urban Playground)Oxygen Activeplay, MediaCity
A massive new trampoline play park Oxygen Activeplay opened earlier this year and visitors can get a £30 pass to jump and play all summer long.
Taking over the former I’m a Celebrity Jungle Challenge site inside Quayside, formerly Lowry Outlet, at Salford Quays, the state-of-the-art venue features 24 trampolines, a mega-air bag jump, a high ropes course, a Sky Rider aerial ride, an interactive strike arena and more.
There’s even a dedicated Toddler Zone, so little jumpers can have just as much fun on their own trampettes. High above the park, the high ropes course will have fearless families navigating their way across six challenging crossings, while the Sky Rider will ‘give thrill seekers a sky-high feeling, as they soar through the air on a harness’.
Tickets cost £14.50 for an hour’s Open Play session, or £45 for a family of four. A 60-minute Open Play and High Ropes ticket costs £17.50, with Sky Rider an extra £3. Open Play is for ages four and above and children must be 135cm tall to use the high ropes.
During the summer holidays you can get a £30 pass to attend as many of the 280 sessions as you like, between 11am and 6pm daily. See the website to book.
Oxygen Activeplay(Image: Manchester Evening News)Stockroom, Stockport
A huge new centre for culture and creativity opened in Stockport town centre in May and is already proving to be a big hit with families.
Stockroom, based in Merseyway Shopping Centre, features a new library, event space, children’s learning area, cafe bar, and Stockport’s historical archives, all spread across two floors.
A packed programme of summer events includes a drop-in children’s storytime every Wednesday at 11am, Lego Club every Wednesday throughout July and August, games nights for teens every Friday and Family Foodie Fridays on 25 July and 29 August.
OmniMusic’s FamJam also takes place on August 10, bringing ‘joyful’, inclusive music sessions for disabled people and their loved ones to Stockroom. These stay and play sessions are designed for everyone to join in the fun and make music together.
Find out more about what’s on on the website here.
The new Stockroom in Stockport(Image: PA)People’s History Museum
Music, adventure and peace are the themes of this year’s summer activities at the museum, with two galleries that feature interactive exhibits.
Music is Hope activities are taking place to coincide with the city centre’s Music for the Senses trail (see below).
Families that follow the trail to People’s History Museum will be able to see not only the colourful guitar created by artist Ella Masters, Music is Hope, but take part in some creativity of their own.
Activities take place until August 31, are free to take part in, suitable for children aged three plus and no booking is required.
Other events include The Grimwood Museum Adventure: Rock the Vote! – August 3 to 25 – where visitors are encouraged to design a poster, and Doves of Peace – now to August 31 – where families can make their own origami dove of peace from colourful paper to take home or to add to the museum’s ‘flock’.
Along with entry to the museum (free with donations welcome) all the activities are free to take part in. Find out more on the website.
There’s lots of free fun inside the People’s History Museum(Image: Manchester Family / MEN)Small Cinema, Oldham
Family friendly film screenings will be on at Oldham Library’s Small Cinema this summer.
Screenings included Peter Rabbit on August 7 and The Jungle Book on August 28 with tickets costing £3.50. Each child attending receives a goodie bag filled with treats. You’re also welcome to take your own with you too.
There’s also crafts inspired by the film starting at 12 – 1.30pm. Please be aware the film will start at 2pm with no adverts or trailers beforehand. Oldham Library, Greaves Street, Oldham, OL1 1AL.
Peter Rabbit will be on at the Small Cinema in Oldham(Image: SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT)Inflata Nation, Trafford
If it’s inflatable fun you’re looking for then Inflata Nation offers a whole world of bouncy fun for young and old alike.
Last year the indoor inflatable park underwent a makeover to add brand new features and a huge new ball pit with more than 400,000 balls.
As well as the supersize ball pit, it features other attractions including new spiralling slides, climbing walls, games and obstacle courses. The dedicated under fours area also had a refurb for younger children to enjoy.
Visitors can save 15% during half term by using the code SUMMERMANC when booking online.
One-hour bounce sessions cost £7.99 for under-fours and £14.99 for everyone else.
Inflata Nation(Image: Inflata Nation)Museum of Illusions
The Museum of Illusions opened in Manchester city centre last autumn and is the first in the UK.
Billed as ‘one of the world’s most Instagrammable museums’, exhibits range from holograms and optical tricks to full-scale illusion rooms and playful mirror displays.
There are more than 50 exhibits in all, ranging from simple wall-mounted optical illusions to immersive experiences that challenge both mind and body.
There’s the world’s first ever optical illusion centred around a tram inspired by the city’s Metrolink, where guests appear to be hanging upside down on-board the specially made carriage; the Vortex Tunnel, a mind-spinning illusion that makes you feel like you’re actually going upside down; and the Infinity Room, which multiplies your group as far as the eye can see.
You can take as long as you like inside the science-meets-entertainment attraction, but it typically lasts around an hour. Tickets, costing from £19.50, can be booked on the website here. And for teachers there’s a special teachers go free offer running all summer long. Under fours also go free.
The Museum of Illusions(Image: Manchester Family / MEN)Hat Works Museum, Stockport
A museum celebrating Stockport’s history of hat making reopened last year after being closed for four years for a £100,000 refurbishment.
Based in a grade II listed Victorian mill in the town centre, the museum has more than 1,300 items on show for visitors to enjoy, including examples of the manufacturing process.
The tradition of hat making has long been associated with the town, as factories made use of the rivers to power their machinery and get rid of waste.
Visitors can explore the global connections of Stockport’s hat collection and be inspired by the array of colours, shapes, patterns and textures of the hats on display.
Free activities are running from July 24 to August 30 including colouring-in placemats and a Summer Art Club in the activity room (all materials provided).
You can also pick up an ‘Arc in the Park’ activity map for creative outdoor fun in nearby Viaduct Park — perfect for drawing, photography, or writing inspired by nature.
Hat Works Museum(Image: Sara Auty)Salford Museum and Art Gallery
There’s a whole programme of family fun happening at the museum and art gallery over the summer break.
Activities include crafts such as collage making, tote bag designing and Victorian Washday. On July 25, visitors are invited to go along and contribute to a large mosaic artwork. They will provide the tiles and you can work on your design. Drop in between 10.30am and 12pm or 1.30pm and 3pm on the day.
At the museum families can also take a step back in time on Lark Hill Place, an atmospheric re-creation of a typical northern street during Victorian times. See the full list of events on the website.
Victorian Washday is back at Salford Museum and Art Gallery(Image: Manchester Evening News)Bolton Museum and aquarium
Bolton‘s Central Library and Museum has loads going on throughout the summer, including its free aquarium.
Home to more than 70 varieties of fish, it’s open Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 5pm in the school holidays and there’s a fish feed at 1pm every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in the school holidays.
Most families tie in their visit with a trip to the museum at Le Mans Crescent too, which hosts family friendly events and exhibitions all year round and is also free.
Ranging from Egyptian mummies to local history and wildlife, Bolton’s collection promises ‘something for everyone’.
The museum is open daily from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, except for Wednesday when it opens at 9.30am. On Sunday it opens 10am to 4pm.
Every Tuesday at 1pm, a curator will provide a short specialist talk or tour ranging from nature to ancient Egypt. Visit the website for more details.
Bolton Museum(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)Ordsall Hall, Salford
The historic hall is hosting a summer of Tudor fun with workshops and activities for all ages.
Sessions include bug hunts, soap ball making, clay play, Tudor dancing and so much more.
The city’s Summer Reading Challenge is also hosting Story Garden sessions with story-telling, rhyme time and crafts every Monday morning, except for the bank holiday. Drop in from 10.30am to 12.30pm. See the full programme of events here.
Ordsall Hall(Image: Manchester Evening News)Bury Art Museum & Sculpture Centre
Craft workshops for children aged four to 11 run throughout the school holidays.
Bury Art Museum is the perfect place to enjoy art and find out more about the rich history of Bury and the surrounding area.
The collections and exhibitions are supported by a range of activities and events which allow visitors to explore and enjoy the Gallery and Museum further. Entrance to Bury Art Museum and all exhibitions is free.
Booking for the craft workshops is optional and drop ins are always welcome, but to reserve a place contact 0161 253 5878.
Crafts workshops take place at Bury Art Museum(Image: Manchester Family / MEN)