The summer holidays are almost upon us, and families across Greater Manchester are seeking ways to keep children entertained without breaking the bank. This year's line-up includes a mix of free and paid-for events, from giant inflatable parks and outdoor theatre to dinosaur trails and space-themed exhibitions. Here is a comprehensive guide to the best family-friendly activities in and around Manchester this summer.
Trafford Centre Summer Fair
The popular Summer Fair returns to the Trafford Centre on Saturday, July 18, running daily from 12pm to 8pm until the end of August. The attraction features a beach area and a splash pool, with online entry tickets priced at £2.75 (£3.50 on the day). Rides are paid for with tokens or wristbands purchased in advance. The Trafford Centre also promises its 'biggest programme of summer entertainment yet', including a free Cosmic Carnival Show on the Orient Main Stage twice a week throughout August.
Wild Things Exhibition at The Lowry
A new free exhibition, Wild Things, opens at The Lowry in Salford on July 18 and runs until November 1. Celebrating animals in children's books, it features almost 100 original illustrations by artists such as Axel Scheffler and Nick Sharratt, alongside interactive zones like the Bee Calm Spa and Vera’s Veggie Delights Stall. The exhibition is designed for under-sevens and includes a free notebook for every young visitor. The venue is open Tuesday to Friday 11am-5pm and weekends 10am-5pm; closed Mondays except bank holidays.
Brick Explorers at RHS Garden Bridgewater
Giant Lego sculptures of wildlife superheroes, including a heron, badger, and bee, are on display at RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford from July 18 to August 31. The Brick Explorers trail includes an activity booklet and brick-building stations. A theatre experience, 'Buzz', runs on select dates. Activities are included with garden admission: children aged 5-16 from £5.25, adults from £13.75, with 30% off for car-free visitors.
Open Air Bounce in Bolton
Open Air Bounce, billed as 'the biggest inflatable park in the UK', returns to Umberton Farm in Bolton from July 18 to August 30. It features 15 huge inflatables, fairground rides, and a sandpit beach. Tickets are £12.95 for ages 4+, £9.95 for ages 1-3, and under-12s go free. Use code Summer26 for 25% off on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Dedicated SEN sessions are also available.
Jungle Book Pantomime at Victoria Hall, Bolton
The summer pantomime at The Victoria Hall in Bolton presents 'The Jungle Book' from August 15 to 23, described as a 'fun-filled, laugh-out-loud family show'. Tickets start from £6. Other shows include The Miss Rachel Experience on August 17 and Totally Taylor tribute on August 21.
Dinosaurs in the Hidden Garden at Bents
Bents Garden Centre hosts a dinosaur trail with life-sized, moving and roaring dinosaurs until September 6. Tickets cost from £6.95 for children and from £7.95 for ages 16+, with under-2s and carers free. Additional workshops include a Summer Paper Lantern Workshop on July 28.
Forest Tubing at Heaton Park
Zip World's Forest Tubing at Heaton Park features the UK's longest outdoor tubing slide, with two slides measuring 77m and 88m. Sessions last one hour with unlimited rides, suitable for children aged 4+ and a minimum height of 1m. Tickets start at £20 per person. Saver bundles allow multiple adventures at a discount.
Beach and Outdoor Theatre in Tameside
Tameside Council offers a packed programme including a pop-up beach at Victoria Market Hall, Stalybridge (August 18-22), and Theatre in the Park performances at various locations on July 29, August 5, 19, and 26. A Family Arts Jam on August 12 at Hyde Park runs from 11am to 4pm. Most events are free or low-cost.
Pokémon Mega Evolution Trails at National Trust Sites
National Trust and Pokémon have teamed up for Mega Evolution Trails at 14 sites including Quarry Bank (Cheshire) and Speke Hall (Merseyside). Families search for 10 Mega Evolution Pokémon with physical and creative challenges. Trails are included with standard admission (free for NT members).
Outdoor Theatre and Tudor Fun at Ordsall Hall
Ordsall Hall in Salford hosts outdoor performances including 'As You Like It' (July 21), 'Wind in the Willows' (July 26), and 'Macbeth' (August 2), with tickets from £5. A Rhyme and Sound Trail runs throughout the holidays for £2 per child (ages 0-7). Other activities include bug hunting, Tudor games, and a Teddy Bear's Picnic on August 13.
Partridge Lakes in Culcheth
Partridge Lakes Cafe and Park offers a new lakeside walk with a sandy beach and pedalos (unicorn, flamingo, dragon) costing £15 for 20 minutes. The walk features giant games like Connect 4 and Kerplunk. Open daily 7.30am-5pm; refreshment huts on selected dates.
Wild Shore Delamere and Blackpool
Wild Shore parks in Delamere and Blackpool offer aqua parks, ringo rides, and paddleboarding. New this season: a revamped wakeboarding programme, Thursday Twilight Sessions in Blackpool, and a new sauna and cold plunge at Delamere. Sessions vary; book online.
Haigh Woodland Park, Wigan
Haigh Woodland Park features a family fun fair (rides £2.50), outdoor theatre 'All In Mouse's Night' (August 19-20), and 'Roarsome Days' with walkabout dinosaurs (August 21-22). Tickets for theatre and dinosaur events are available online.
Passport to the Solar System at Science and Industry Museum
From July 18 to September 1, the museum hosts space-themed activities including Rocket Wednesdays with a 30-foot rocket Skybolt 2. The blockbuster exhibition 'Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos' costs £10 for adults, £8.70 for kids (family discount available). General admission is free. Power Up gaming experience costs £8/£7.
Camp Knowsley at Knowsley Safari
Camp Knowsley runs daily from July 20 to August 31, offering bushcraft activities like fire-lighting and den building, included in admission (kids from £20.19, adults from £22.38). Safari Sleepovers on August 8, 15, and 22 cost £600 per tent (sleeps 4) and include VIP tours and campfire breakfast.
Holiday At Home Fun Park, Heaton Park
The funfair returns from July 18 to August 31 with free entry. Tokens: £25 for 25; unlimited ride wristbands on Tuesdays and Wednesdays: £13.99 for 3 hours. SEN Thursdays offer a calmer environment. Boat hire also available: rowing boats from £18 for 25 minutes.
Arcade Arena Manchester
Arcade Arena offers Chaos Karts (ages 11+, 1.5m tall, from £18.50) and Pac-Man Live (ages 8+, from £22.50). A new mezzanine floor increases capacity. Tickets reduced by up to 27% for summer.
Pet Pals Workshops at Pets at Home
Free 45-minute Pet Pals workshops run from July 17 to August 28, teaching children aged 4-10 about pet care. Each child receives an activity pack, certificate, and stickers. Book online.
Three Cheers for Pooh! at Tatton Park
Tatton Park celebrates Winnie-the-Pooh's 100th birthday from July 18 to September 6 with a garden story trail and farm exhibition. A Park and Play pass (parkland entry all summer) costs £20 if purchased online before July 31. A Totally Tatton ticket saves 40% on entry to gardens, mansion, and farm.
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre
The centre opens the longest continuous stepping stones in Europe (68 metres, 143 steps) just in time for the Dragonfly Festival. Included with admission or WWT membership. Further details announced soon.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
New ride Aviktas, a 138ft gyro swing, opens this summer. On Wednesdays, the park stays open until 8pm. All-you-can-ride tickets from £31.50; Nickelodeon Land £25. The Hot Ice XC show runs until September 10 (tickets from £5). Wave Rider tickets for Pleasure Beach and Sandcastle Waterpark cost £43.75.
Scotman's Flash, Wigan
Watersports including paddleboarding and kayaking start from £13.50 for 1.5 hours. Open water swimming sessions cost £6.50. Wetsuit hire £3. Minimum age: 10 for paddleboarding, 8 for kayaking with adult.
Parktastic in Manchester Parks
Free drop-in sessions for children aged 6-12 run across Manchester parks all summer, featuring sports, arts, and nature activities. Healthy snacks provided. No booking required.
Summer Safari at Printworks
A six-week Summer Safari transforms Printworks with interactive digital trails, themed play zones, and a sand pit. A launch event on July 23 features CBeebies' Andy Day hosting workshops. Free activities.
Superhero Summer at Merseyway, Stockport
Merseybay beach returns from July 25 to August 30 with a superhero theme, sand, deckchairs, and free family fun. Exciting events and activities to be announced.
Bubble Planet Experience at Depot Mayfield
Running until August 27, the immersive Bubble Planet features 10 themed rooms including a giant ball pit. Tickets: ages 3-12 £13.90, 13+ £18.90, under-2s free.
National Football Museum
The new exhibition 'Head, Shoulders, Knees and Goals' explores football through the body, featuring a replica of David Beckham's cast foot and Harry Kane's facemask. Yard Ball transforms the Pitch Gallery into a street football arena. Admission: £9 children, £15 adults (12-month pass); Manchester residents free.
Minecraft Meet the Mobs at Alton Towers
From July 18 to August 28, Alton Towers hosts a Minecraft Mob trail with costume characters (Iron Golem, Creeper) and themed snacks. Included with park admission.
Imperial War Museum North
Spy School runs July 25 to August 31 with interactive spy activities. Story Seekers and We Were There Family Days (Wednesdays in August) feature veterans. Free entry; book online.
Lego Ninjago Experience at Legoland Discovery Centre
Until September 7, Legoland inside Trafford Palazzo presents 'Lego Ninjago: The True Ninja Trials' with interactive challenges and Lego building. Tickets from £14.
