100 things to do with the kids in and around Manchester this May half term

Published date18 May 2021
Publication titleManchester Evening News: Web Edition Articles (England)
With many indoor venues reopening this week, there will be plenty to do whatever the weather.

But with capacities reduced in line with Covid safety measures, many places will be advanced tickets only, with some getting booked up well ahead of the school break, so don't hang around if there's something in particular the kids want to do.

And if you want to just head out somewhere without needing to book -or you've just not had time to even look -we've included some activities you can just turn up for.

Here's our full round-up of events and things to do in and around Greater Manchester this May half term...

Manchester

Manchester Museum

The museum will be back open for half term, with restricted opening times of 11am to 4pm Wednesday to Sunday.

All the natural history galleries are open and free to visit, including Stan the T Rex and the Vivarium.

Admission is free but advance booking preferred via the website. Up to six tickets can be booked for groups of up to six people, including children, or two households.

The Printworks

There's loads for families to do inside Manchester's Printworks.

Treetop Adventure Golf is back open from May 19 with its two courses -Tropical Trail and Explorer -and you can grab some handmade pizza from the Pizza Cabana.

The early bird offer is running through half term, to play two courses for the price of one when teeing off before midday Monday to Friday.

Tenpin is open too if you fancy a game of bowling and the place also features table tennis tables, arcades games and more.

Escape Reality is offering half price escape rooms Monday to Friday until June 18 -using the code WEAREBACK50 at the checkout -and the Vue cinema is also back open with films costing from £2.99 for Mini mornings, running throughout the school holidays.

Electric Gamebox

Electric Gamebox, previously Electric Playbox, opened in Manchester Arndale last year.

The interactive gaming attraction is made up of 10 'Playbox' rooms, where games are projected onto all four walls.

Players wear lightweight visors with trackers that allow them to interact with the game through motion sensor and touch screen technology.

There are five adventures to choose from, including a trip back to 1984 to outwit an alien race taking over the globe, or a voyage into the future to rescue a royal family. See the website for more details and to book.

Science and Industry Museum

The museum is reopening in time for May half term and families can book free tickets online now.

It will be the first opportunity for visitors to see the attraction's new £5m gallery space, which will launch with a spy-themed exhibition.

Top Secret: From ciphers to cyber security, explores communications intelligence and cyber security over the course of 100 years.

Find out more in our article and book tickets online here, choosing a time slot you wish to arrive.

Great Northern

There's also lots for families to do at Great Northern. If the weather's nice, you can take a pew outside where the warehouse’s iconic amphitheatre has been turned into a giant sandpit again.

Enjoy a brew while the kids get some sand between their toes, making castles and digging ditches.

You can pick up a coffee or a sweet treat from Alex's Bakery while you're there.

If you fancy heading indoors and aiming for a strike this half term, a new bowling alley has opened up there too.

Lane7 has taken over the site left empty by All Star Lanes and as well as ten-pin bowling, it features ping-pong, karaoke, and arcade games.

See the website here for more details.

Manchester Art Gallery

There's always something to keep the little people happy at Manchester Art Gallery.

Initially the venue will open 10am to 4pm Wednesday to Sunday.

If you’re visiting the main gallery, you won’t need to book a ticket – you can just walk in. See the website for more details of what's happening.

National Football Museum

To coincide with the reopening on May 27, the National Football Museum is celebrating the legends of the game in its first ever dedicated Hall of Fame exhibition.

Opening in the Score Gallery, the exhibition focuses on those players and managers who have contributed significantly to the game of our lives: breaking records, winning trophies, and paving the way for future generations, on and off the field.

You can book tickets now.

Kickair

The indoor freestyle park is back from May 17 with its inflatable-filled Air Zone, football-inspired Kick Zone and lots more.

You can book a slot for an individual zone, or buy a crossover pass giving access to both.

Visit the website for more details and to book.

The Whitworth

Whitworth Park and the Art Garden are open for all to enjoy.

Even if it's raining you can download a free Welly Walks guide to enjoy a walk that's been specially designed to support your toddler’s inquisitive nature.

It's aimed at toddlers and their grown ups but there's no age restriction -it's all about getting muddy and discovering art and nature in the park.

The gallery is expected to reopen fully towards the end of May so keep an eye on the website for details of events.

Book trail, Alexandra Park

A half term family-friendly book trail and creative workshop is being hosted in Alexandra Park by Manchester Adult Education Family Learning.

Families will get to share a story, play games, make a craft clay stick creature and then go on a book trail, following clues around the park.

There are six free workshops taking place on June 1 and tickets one for each family must be booked online.

Treetop Trek and Nets

You could treat the kids to a trip to Treetop Trek and Nets inside Heaton Park.

It offers nets high in the trees, as well as a zip trek and mini trek, with slots available to book online.

The Crystal Maze Live Experience

Based on the popular 90s TV show, groups of up to six can book to take on the challenges of The Crystal Maze.

They're all based inside four adventure zones -Medieval, Industrial, Aztec and Futuristic -and they're all against the clock.

There are no mixed teams so you'll only take part with those people you've booked with.

It's open to anyone 13 or over, with a minimum height restriction of 1.2m. See the website for more.

Chorlton Water Park

Whether you want to go cycling with the kids down one of the many paths, or head into the woodlands, there's plenty to keep the kids busy here.

The picturesque Chorlton Water Park is a Local Nature Reserve comprising of a lake surrounded by grasslands and woodlands.

There is car park, a new area with wooden climbing frames and ropes, picnic benches and a large network of accessible paths.

The kids love the chance to get up close to all ducks and swans while you're there and if it's a sunny day you'll most likely find the ice cream van and coffee van there too.

Heaton Park

The Lakeside Adventure Play Area added to the fun on offer at Heaton Park when it opened in 2019.

There's lots more to enjoy there too, including the boating lake, where you can hire rowing boats or swan and dragon shaped pedal boats.

Even if you don't have any money to spend, there's loads of space to kick a ball about, enjoy a walk or even track down a dinosaur or fairy using the Love Exploring app from developers Sprytar.

In some of Manchester's parks you can do a Dinosaur Safari or a Fairy Trail using the Love Exploring app from developers Sprytar.

You use the map to find the fairies and answer their questions about the park, or search for the dinosaurs and test your dino knowledge in the quiz.

Providing a range of quiz trails and guided tours that are fun to do and free to use, you can use the app in Heaton Park, as well as Alexandra Park, Boggart Hole Clough, Phillips Park, Wythenshawe Park, Platt Fields Park, Debdale Park and Whitworth Park.

Elizabeth Gaskell's House

There's a free cat-themed trail happening at the home of Elizabeth Gaskell, Manchester’s very own Literary house.

In a nod to Elizabeth’s cat Cranford, the activity trail is packed full of jokes and activities for the kids -plus some cuddly cats to spot as you make your way around the house.

Explore at your own pace to find the feline friends and discover each cat adorned by an outfit made by the volunteers, who have all had fun creating their literary inspired ensembles.

The event is running from May 26 to June 6 and must be booked online.

Junk Yard Golf

Junk Yard is home to three mashed up nine-hole crazy golf courses created from 'pre-loved and reclaimed random shizzle'.

Groups can putt their way through all sorts of bizarre holes; think UV garage, scrapyard slides, circus freaks and jungle bathtubs.

It's largely aimed at an older crowd, but children are allowed in Sunday to Thursday before 7pm.

You can book for groups of up to six on the website.

TeamSport Karting

TeamSport indoor karting is back in Manchester in time for half term.

The multi-level track is 550 metres long and is underneath the Manchester Arena car park.

The Manchester Victoria site opens from May 17, as does the track at Trafford Park.

Visit the website to book.

Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens

If it's a picturesque walk you're after then the popular Botanical Gardens in Didsbury will do the trick.

Fletcher Moss has lots of wooded areas to explore and there's a nature trail and a pond to enjoy too.

You might not be out late enough to spot the bats flying along the river at dusk, but there are plenty of insects such as dragonflies and butterflies to find on your adventure.

The river offers an opportunity for that all important pebble throwing too.

More information about the Nature Trail can be found in the Visitor Centre in The Croft off Millgate Lane.

Salford

RHS Garden Bridgewater

The new RHS site is open from May 18.

The garden, at the former Worsley New Hall estate, is the first ever RHS Garden in an urban area and features a seven-acre Woodland Play area.

Designed to 'promote adventure, creativity and a desire to explore nature' it includes elements for all ages, from little ones to early teens.

Set in the heart of Middle Wood, it...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT