A big Victorian park between Fallowfield and Rusholme with a lake at the middle of it. Around the water you get a boathouse, ducks in reliable numbers, an adventure play area for under 12s, a skatepark, a BMX track and tennis courts, all connected by flat, pram-friendly paths. Entry costs nothing and it is open dawn to dusk.
Do the lake loop first, then let the playground or the BMX track absorb the rest of the visit. There are toilets on site and free parking by the Wilmslow Road entrance, though charges can apply during events. Bring bikes or a scooter: the paths and the BMX track between them will use up more energy than the playground alone.
Platt Hall, the Georgian house in the park that held Manchester's costume collection, is closed to general visitors while the building is redeveloped, so don't promise anyone a museum. Honestly, the park doesn't need it.
What it costs: Free; parking at the Wilmslow Road entrance is normally free but may be charged on event days.
The Fallowfield one of the council's three free displays, with the same two-show format: quieter and earlier at 5pm, loud at 8pm with a lantern parade in between. Wilmslow Road will be busy, so the bus beats the car.
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