
Zip World Manchester
Treetop nets, high ropes and forest tubing in the woods of Heaton Park, and it is outdoors, not indoors. The cheap one is Treetot Nets: an hour bouncing on nets in the trees for ages 1 to 5, from £5, with a grown-up joining in.

A 6.5 acre park a short walk from Piccadilly station, and the city's first new park in more than a century. The River Medlock has been brought back to the surface and the park is built around it: planting, lawns and a play yard with six slides woven around the water. It is free and open every day from 5am until 9pm.
For a city centre day with small children it solves the eternal problem of where they can run. The toilets next to the play yard are accessible and include a baby changing unit. Bring your own snacks and treat it as the half hour that buys you a calm afternoon.
What it costs: Free.
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Treetop nets, high ropes and forest tubing in the woods of Heaton Park, and it is outdoors, not indoors. The cheap one is Treetot Nets: an hour bouncing on nets in the trees for ages 1 to 5, from £5, with a grown-up joining in.

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One email a week: what is on this weekend within a sensible drive, and the places worth booking before they go.