The Clockmaker’s City (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
2 Aug. Sunday 2 August, 2.30pm
Starts at 2.30pm. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
What’s on for kids in Manchester
53 dated events coming up in and around Manchester, Greater Manchester. Collected from the organisations running them, not from anyone paying to appear.
3 on today3 this weekend16 free
On today in Manchester
Adventures in Wonderland (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
until 29 Aug. 12 dates, 11.30am and 10am
Runs on 12 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
The Library of Enchantment (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
until 29 Nov. 48 dates
Runs on 48 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
This weekend
The Clockmaker’s City (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
2 Aug. Sunday 2 August, 2.30pm
Starts at 2.30pm. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
Adventures in Wonderland (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
until 29 Aug. 12 dates, 11.30am and 10am
Runs on 12 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
The Library of Enchantment (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
until 29 Nov. 48 dates
Runs on 48 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
Coming up in Manchester
Little Movers and Shakers (opens on Manchester Libraries (Library Live))
Henry Watson Music Library · Manchester
3 Aug. Monday 3 August, 11am
Starts at 11am. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Manchester Libraries (Library Live) · collected 2 Aug
Summer Reading Challenge: Read and Rave! (opens on Manchester Libraries (Library Live))
Henry Watson Music Library · Manchester
3 Aug. Monday 3 August, 2pm
Meet DJ Mu-Mu who will demonstrate the art of turntables and vinyl at our Read & Rave activity!
Listed by Manchester Libraries (Library Live) · collected 2 Aug
Summer Reading Challenge: Ukulele Taster Session (opens on Manchester Libraries (Library Live))
Henry Watson Music Library · Manchester
4 Aug. Tuesday 4 August, 2pm
Join Jim Wallace for a fun and relaxed beginner ukulele session for children.
Listed by Manchester Libraries (Library Live) · collected 2 Aug
Summer of Stories - Week 2 (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
4 Aug to 8 Aug. Every day
Runs on 5 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
Adventures in Wonderland Birthday Parties (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
4 Aug to 22 Aug. 14 dates, 3pm
Runs on 14 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
National Play Day (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
5 Aug. Wednesday 5 August, 11am
Starts at 11am. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
LEGO Club (opens on Manchester Libraries (Library Live))
City Library · Manchester
5 Aug to 26 Aug. 5 dates, 1.30pm and 2pm
Drop in, pick your favourite bricks and build anything that takes your fancy.
Listed by Manchester Libraries (Library Live) · collected 2 Aug
Craft Session: Princess Hat Making (opens on Manchester Libraries (Library Live))
Lower Ground Floor · Manchester
6 Aug. Thursday 6 August, 2pm
Join us at Central Library for a fun and interactive craft workshop where we will be making princess hats.
Listed by Manchester Libraries (Library Live) · collected 2 Aug
Mission: Mad Hatter (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
7 Aug to 26 Aug. 8 dates
Runs on 8 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
Film Fridays (opens on Manchester Libraries (Library Live))
Performance Space · Manchester
7 Aug to 28 Aug. Every Friday, 1pm
Unleash the musical theatre kid in you with this programme of music-themed films!
Listed by Manchester Libraries (Library Live) · collected 2 Aug
Arabic Storytime (opens on Manchester Libraries (Library Live))
Manchester Libraries (Library Live)
8 Aug. Saturday 8 August, 2pm
Join us in Central Library’s Children Library to hear stories and sing songs in Arabic and English.
Listed by Manchester Libraries (Library Live) · collected 2 Aug
Family Film/ Flushed Away (U) (opens on HOME, Manchester)
HOME · Manchester
8 Aug. Saturday 8 August, 1pm
Starts at 1pm. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by HOME, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
Ukrainian Storytime (opens on Manchester Libraries (Library Live))
Children’s Library · Manchester
8 Aug. Saturday 8 August, 1.30pm
Join our monthly Ukrainian storytelling sessions!
Listed by Manchester Libraries (Library Live) · collected 2 Aug
Summer Reading Challenge: Feel the Beat with Drumroots! (opens on Manchester Libraries (Library Live))
Performance Space · Manchester
10 Aug. Monday 10 August, 2pm
Get ready to move, groove, and feel the rhythm!
Listed by Manchester Libraries (Library Live) · collected 2 Aug
Summer Reading Challenge: Guitar Craft (opens on Manchester Libraries (Library Live))
Lower Ground Floor · Manchester
11 Aug. Tuesday 11 August, 2pm
A relaxed, drop-in creative session inspired by music.
Listed by Manchester Libraries (Library Live) · collected 2 Aug
Summer of Stories - Week 3 (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
11 Aug to 15 Aug. Every day
Runs on 5 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
Adventures in Wonderland (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
13 Aug. Thursday 13 August, 10am and 11.30am
Starts at 10am. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
STEM Club (opens on Manchester Libraries (Library Live))
Lower Ground Floor · Manchester
13 Aug. Thursday 13 August, 2pm
Put your lab coat and goggles on and join us for an interactive session that will get you excited about science!
Listed by Manchester Libraries (Library Live) · collected 2 Aug
The Library of Enchantment (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
13 Aug. Thursday 13 August
Starts at 10.15am. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
Family Film/ Chicken Run (PG) (opens on HOME, Manchester)
HOME · Manchester
15 Aug. Saturday 15 August, 1pm
Starts at 1pm. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by HOME, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
Colouring to Music (opens on Manchester Libraries (Library Live))
Children’s Library · Manchester
17 Aug to 24 Aug. Every Monday, 10.30am
Join us for a relaxed colouring session in the children’s library.
Listed by Manchester Libraries (Library Live) · collected 2 Aug
Adventures in Wonderland (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
18 Aug. Tuesday 18 August, 10am
Starts at 10am, with a relaxed or autism-friendly session. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
Cosplay Teen Event (opens on Manchester Libraries (Library Live))
Performance Space · Manchester
18 Aug. Tuesday 18 August, 12pm
Join us for this accessible and inclusive cosplay event for teens that has been co-created with young people.
Listed by Manchester Libraries (Library Live) · collected 2 Aug
Can You Dig It? Britannica Summer Challenge (opens on Manchester Libraries (Library Live))
Lower Ground Floor · Manchester
20 Aug. Thursday 20 August, 2pm
Join us for Britannica Education’s “Can You Dig It?
Listed by Manchester Libraries (Library Live) · collected 2 Aug
Family Film/ Early Man (PG) (opens on HOME, Manchester)
HOME · Manchester
22 Aug to 29 Aug. Every Saturday, 1pm
Runs on 2 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by HOME, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
Summer Reading Challenge Singing Puppet Craft Fun! (opens on Manchester Libraries (Library Live))
Lower Ground Floor · Manchester
25 Aug. Tuesday 25 August, 2pm
Join artist Caroline for a fun, free Summer Reading Challenge activity!
Listed by Manchester Libraries (Library Live) · collected 2 Aug
Pride Storytime (opens on Manchester Libraries (Library Live))
Children’s Library · Manchester
27 Aug. Thursday 27 August, 2pm
Kick off your Pride weekend early with a special family story and craft session at Manchester Central Library.
Listed by Manchester Libraries (Library Live) · collected 2 Aug
Family Film/ Flushed Away (U) (opens on HOME, Manchester)
HOME · Manchester
28 Aug. Friday 28 August, 1pm
Starts at 1pm. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by HOME, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
Newsies Jr (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
28 Aug to 29 Aug. Every Friday and Saturday, 7pm and 2pm
Runs on 2 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
SEND School Trips (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
11 Sept to 20 Nov. 9 dates, 10.30am
Runs on 9 dates, with a relaxed or autism-friendly session. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
A Message for the Future (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
12 Sept. Saturday 12 September
Starts at 10.15am, with a relaxed or autism-friendly session. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
Family Jam (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
18 Sept. Friday 18 September, 4.30pm
Starts at 4.30pm. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
Dance in the Dark (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
26 Sept. Saturday 26 September, 12pm and 2pm
Starts at 12pm. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
Mission: Mad Hatter (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
26 Sept. Saturday 26 September
Starts at 10am. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
Adventures in Wonderland Birthday Parties (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
26 Sept to 21 Nov. 12 dates, 3pm
Runs on 12 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
Alice in Wonderland Jr (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
9 Oct to 10 Oct. Every Friday and Saturday, 7pm and 2pm
Runs on 2 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
Adventures in Wonderland (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
10 Oct. Saturday 10 October, 10am and 11.30am
Starts at 10am. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
Gruffalo Granny Storytime (opens on HOME, Manchester)
HOME · Manchester
11 Oct. Sunday 11 October, 1.15pm
After watching The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child, join us in the Event Space at 13:15 for Gruffalo Granny Storytime with Liz Fost, and take part in creative craft activities.
Listed by HOME, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
MLF presents Gruffalo Granny Celebration (U) (opens on HOME, Manchester)
HOME · Manchester
11 Oct. Sunday 11 October, 12pm
Starts at 12pm. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by HOME, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
The Magic Stick (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
17 Oct. Saturday 17 October, 2pm
Starts at 2pm. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
Mission: Mad Hatter (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
17 Oct to 7 Nov. 5 dates
Runs on 5 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
RNCM Children's Packed Lunch (opens on Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester)
Royal Northern College of Music · Manchester
18 Oct. Sunday 18 October, 2pm
RNCM Children's Packed Lunch Our children’s packed lunch is perfect for younger visitors and includes a sandwich, crisps, chocolate biscuit, and fruit.
Listed by Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
RNCM Young Explorers: Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes Part 2 (opens on Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester)
Royal Northern College of Music · Manchester
18 Oct. Sunday 18 October, 2pm
Starts at 2pm. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
The Enormous Turnip (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
24 Oct to 25 Oct. Weekends, 11am and 2pm
Runs on 2 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
Adventures in Wonderland (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
28 Oct to 27 Nov. 7 dates, 10am and 11.30am
Runs on 7 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
Monster Disco (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
31 Oct. Saturday 31 October, 12pm and 2.30pm
Starts at 12pm. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
Adventures in Wonderland (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
14 Nov. Saturday 14 November, 11.30am
Starts at 11.30am, with a relaxed or autism-friendly session. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
Family Jam (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
27 Nov. Friday 27 November, 4.30pm
Starts at 4.30pm. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
The Gruffalo (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
27 Nov to 29 Nov. Every day
Runs on 3 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
Mission: Mad Hatter (opens on Z-arts, Manchester)
Z-arts · Manchester
28 Nov to 29 Nov. Weekends
Runs on 2 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 2 Aug
Open anyway in Manchester
Places you can turn up to whether or not anything is on.
Chorlton Water Park
A flat mile around a lake, swans included, plus a genuinely good playground with a zip line, sand play and sensory equipment. Free entry, free parking, and south Manchester knows it, so go early on sunny days.
Heaton Park
One of the biggest municipal parks in Europe: a free animal centre, boating lake, adventure playgrounds and an actual vintage tram running on summer days. You will not do all of it in one visit.
Manchester Art Gallery
Free, right in the city centre, and properly set up for children: the Lion's Den family gallery has its own play space and the family activity programme costs nothing. Closed Mondays.
Manchester Museum
A T. rex skeleton cast, live frogs in the vivarium, Egyptian mummies and a genuinely good natural history floor. Free, university-run, and less overwhelming than the big London equivalents.
Platt Fields Park
Fallowfield's big Victorian park: a lake with a boathouse, play areas, a skatepark and BMX track, and enough flat grass to wear anyone out. Free, and better than its student-land reputation suggests.
Runway Visitor Park
Watch jets take off close enough to feel them, with Concorde parked by the fence. Free in, pay for parking, and there is a play area and cafe for the wait between planes.