kidzdays

Things to do with under fives in Manchester

Rhyme times, toddler sessions, stay and play and everything else that genuinely works with a pre-schooler in and around Manchester.

12 events2 free

Under 5s in Manchester

Manchester Christmas Markets

Albert Square, Cathedral Gardens, St Ann's Square and other city centre sites · Manchester
6 November to 22 December across the city centre; Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens stay open to 3 January

More than 210 stalls across the city centre, with the big wheel and a helter-skelter in Albert Square, Skate MCR's covered rink in Cathedral Gardens and a new site at Lincoln Square. Saturday evenings are shoulder to shoulder, which is a lot with a pushchair.

Free to wander, pay as you goJust turn up - weekday daytimes are calmer
Written by us

Baby Book Club

Z-arts · Manchester
Every Tuesday, 10.30am

Runs on 4 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.

Check priceCheck before you goIndoor optionAges 0-2
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 9 Nov

Rhyme Time

Z-arts · Manchester
Every Thursday, 10.30am

Runs on 4 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.

Check priceCheck before you goIndoor option
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 9 Nov

Toddler Make and Believe

Z-arts · Manchester
Every Friday, 10.30am and 11.30am

Runs on 4 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.

Check priceCheck before you goIndoor optionAges 1-4
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 9 Nov

Creative Care (ages 4 - 7)

Z-arts · Manchester
6 dates, 4.15pm and 10am

Runs on 6 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.

Check priceCheck before you goIndoor optionAges 4-7
Listed by Z-arts, Manchester · collected 9 Nov

Christmas at Elizabeth Gaskell's House

Elizabeth Gaskell's House, 84 Plymouth Grove · Manchester
Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, 15 November to 20 December, 11am to 4.30pm

Elizabeth Gaskell's House is dressed for a Victorian Christmas, with a festive family trail, dressing up and tiny book decorations to make. Children 12 and under go free with a paying adult. Pre-book.

Children 12 and under free, adults £9Book onlineIndoor option
Written by us

Northern Lights at Heaton Park

Heaton Park, Manchester
Evenings between 19 November and 31 December, entry from 4.15pm

A mile-long light trail through Heaton Park with a new 'Christmas Time Machine' theme this year, plus a Christmas village with food, drink and fairground rides. Tickets are now just peak or off-peak, and you can move your date for free up to a day before.

Price not listedBook online - date changes free up to 24 hours before
Written by us

The Grotto Manchester at the Corn Exchange

Corn Exchange, Exchange Square, Manchester
Daily, 20 November to 24 December, timed slots

A 30-minute walk through themed rooms and elf missions, ending in Santa's cabin with a gift for every child. It has moved to the Corn Exchange this year, in the main atrium next to Mowgli, and the queue is indoors. Every child needs a ticket, babies included, and the professional photo with Santa is sold on the day.

Children £29.50, adults £14.50Book a timed slot online; December weekends are already 70% sold, November and weekday slots have the most choiceIndoor option
Written by us

Dick Whittington at the Opera House

Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester
5 December 2026 to 3 January 2027

Manchester's big city-centre panto, with Jason Manford and Ben Nickless back on the Opera House stage. Early December weekdays have 1pm shows as well as 7pm ones. Under 18 months can sit on your lap free with a babes-in-arms voucher.

From £15 a seatBook online with ATGIndoor option
Written by us

Manchester Christmas Parade

Manchester city centre
Sunday 6 December

The city's Christmas parade is booked in for Sunday 6 December. The council has not published the route or start time yet, so check nearer the day before you promise anyone a front-row spot.

FreeJust turn up - route and times to be announced
Written by us

Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs at Aviva Studios

North Warehouse, Aviva Studios, Manchester
Timed slots every 30 minutes, 8 December to 6 January

Life-sized dinosaurs from the Prehistoric Planet series in an immersive LIGHTROOM show, narrated by Damian Lewis, that runs as a 50-minute loop you can walk into at any point. Children get up to 25% off and 2s and under go free. The evening slots from 6pm are not for younger children: the page calls them 12+ in one place and adults only in another, so book a daytime slot.

From £25, previews from £20, 2 and under freeBook a time slot onlineIndoor option
Written by us