Family days out

The Whitworth

The Whitworth offers a warm and imaginative family programme that encourages creativity, play, and connection across generations. With a mix of indoor and outdoor activities for all ages — from sensory sessions for babies to hands-on art and nature workshops for older children — families can explore, make, and learn together in an inspiring setting. All sessions are free, with thoughtful facilities and a welcoming environment that make visiting with little ones easy and enjoyable.

Manchester Museum

Manchester Museum offers a rich and inspiring family experience where curiosity leads the way. From dinosaurs and rare species to cultural treasures from around the world, every corner invites discovery and wonder. Families can explore the galleries together through free creative activities, holiday sessions, and special events designed to spark imagination and conversation. With thoughtful facilities including a picnic area, buggy parking, and baby-changing spaces, the museum makes visiting with children easy and enjoyable. A welcoming, curiosity-driven space where families can learn, play, and explore the world—past and present—side by side.

HOME

HOME offers a relaxed and creative environment for families to enjoy arts and culture together. With regular family-friendly films, theatre shows, and hands-on sessions, there’s always something to inspire imaginations of all ages. The new Creativity Corner provides a welcoming space for free, self-led arts and crafts, while events like Creative Tiny Humans and Mothers Who Make nurture connection and creativity for parents and little ones alike. With great facilities and a vibrant programme spanning cinema, theatre, and visual art, HOME is a cultural hub where families can play, create, and experience the joy of storytelling together.

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House offers a welcoming and hands-on family experience in a beautifully restored Victorian home. Children can explore the historic rooms through interactive trails, dressing up, and creative craft activities, while Cranford the Cat leads the way with games and puzzles. Families are encouraged to touch, play, and imagine life in Victorian Manchester, both inside the house and out in the garden, where seasonal activities and picnics bring history to life. A visit promises a fun, engaging, and family-friendly glimpse into the world of one of Manchester’s most celebrated writers.

The Pankhurst Centre

The Pankhurst Museum offers an inspiring and family-friendly visit to the former home of Emmeline Pankhurst and the birthplace of the suffragette movement. Families can explore the rooms where history was made, discover stories of courage and change, and enjoy time in the peaceful garden, open throughout the week. With free entry for children and a welcoming tearoom and shop, the museum provides an accessible and engaging way for all ages to learn about Manchester’s radical heritage and the women who changed the world.

Palace Theatre

The Palace Theatre has been bringing the magic of live performance to Manchester families for over a century. Known for its grand architecture and rich history, this iconic venue continues to delight audiences of all ages with spectacular productions that light up the stage. From dazzling West End musicals to festive favourites, the Palace’s half term and Christmas seasons are packed with some of the very best family-friendly shows, offering unforgettable experiences for children and grown-ups alike. Whether it’s a first trip to the theatre or a family tradition, a visit to the Palace promises excitement, wonder, and a touch of theatrical magic in the heart of the city.

Green Spaces

Oxford Road Corridor is home to some of Manchester’s most welcoming green spaces — perfect for families to relax, play, and explore together. From historic parks to newly designed urban gardens, these spaces offer calm and creativity at the heart of the city. Families can picnic, discover public art, or take part in seasonal events and activities across parks such as All Saints Park, Brunswick Park, and Symphony Park.

At the southern end of the Corridor, Whitworth Park remains a favourite for families, offering open lawns, wildlife, and cultural connections through The Whitworth, known as “The Gallery in the Park.” The gallery makes the most of its beautiful setting by bringing creative outdoor events and workshops into its art garden and the wider park — a perfect blend of nature, culture, and play for all ages.

Manchester Central Library

Manchester Central Library offers an inspiring day out for families, combining historic grandeur with hands-on, modern experiences. Children can explore the immersive Children’s Library, where digital projections, interactive screens, and colourful artwork bring stories and Manchester’s famous worker bee to life. Parents and carers will appreciate the welcoming spaces to read, relax, and refuel in the library café, while older children can discover films, archives, and creative media in the Archives+ Centre and BFI Mediatheque. Blending learning, play, and discovery under one iconic domed roof, Manchester Central Library is a perfect place for families to connect with books, culture, and the city’s rich history.