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Summer Holidays: the best things to do with kids

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

Summer holidays in Manchester and the North are here again and school’s out for six heady weeks of adventuring.  Read on for ideas of cultural things to do together to make long-lasting memories (and also achieve precious hours of relative sanity during the hols). Indoor, outdoor, free, ticketed…whatever you fancy, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s our first lot of summer holiday highlights, but we’ll update this each week, so do keep checking back.

Also, while you’re here – and to make that budget go further – take a look at our round-up of the best free things to do with kids in Manchester. Also, don’t miss our guides to parks, our top picks of adventure activities happening across the North, and our families guide for other longer-term capers.

Our top picks

Treetop Trek Heaton Park

Treetop Trek Heaton Park, Heaton Park St Margaret's Road, Manchester, M25 2GT - Visit now

Both kids and adults are welcome to test their bravery in the canopies of Heaton Park. Unleash your inner Indiana Jones on the 14 zip lines and 20 aerial challenges set above the beautiful parkland.

Find out more
Treetop Adventure Manchester
Treetop Adventure Manchester.

BeWILDerwood

BeWILDerwood, Bickley Moss, Whitchurch, Cheshire, SY13 4JF - Visit now

A full day of adventuring awaits. Run wild in Cheshire and enjoy fun, forest activities inspired by the world of BeWILDerwood, based on the books by Tom Blofeld.

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Little Moreton Hall

Little Moreton Hall, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 4SD - Visit now

With its beautifully charming and quirky style, Little Moreton Hall offers an iconic Tudor manor house, moat, manicured knot garden and plenty of fun activities for everyone.

Find out more
Little Moreton Hall
Little Moreton Hall

Turbary Woods Owl and Bird of Prey Sanctuary

Turbary Woods Owl and Bird of Prey Sanctuary, Turbary Woods, 92 Chain House Lane, Whitestake, Preston, Lancashire, PR4 4LB - Visit now

Kids will love the thrill of having a bird of prey swoop to land on their arm. With over 90 birds of prey resident here, Turbay Woods Owl and Bird of Prey Sanctuary offers the chance to do just this.

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Chill Factore

Chill Factore, 7 Trafford Way, Manchester, M41 7JA - Visit now

The winner of Manchester Tourism’s ‘Access for All’ Award and home to the UK’s largest indoor ski slope, Chill Factore is a welcoming environment where you can get your pulse up as you speed down real snow slopes… a great option for those inevitable wet days.

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Three children with an instructor on the slope at Chill Factore

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton, Wakefield, Yorkshire, WF4 4LG - Visit now

Explore Yorkshire Sculpture Park’s award-winning 500 acres in all weather with additional family events like Outdoor Sculpture Building, Family Summer Walks and the Family Studio Space.

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Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Image courtesy Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

Quarry Bank

Quarry Bank, Styal, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 4HP - Visit now

Avoid those cries of boredom. Hotfoot it to Quarry Bank for open-air theatre, guided walks and themed activities. A jam-packed day out inspired by the great outdoors.

Find out more

Seasonal Guides

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Helen Chadwick posing with a sculpture called Piss Flowers taken during the exhibition Helen Chadwick: Effluvia, held at the Serpentine Gallery, London, in 1994
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Contemporary Dance at The Lowry
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The Little Prince
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Valentine’s Day

Don’t leave Valentine’s Day to the last minute. You’ll find plenty in our guide, from top restaurants to outside-the-box activities.
Chinese New Year in Manchester
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Destinations

Mother's Day in Manchester and the North
Spotlight on

Mother's Day in Manchester and the North

From bespoke bouquet workshops and poetry royalty to slap-up Sunday roasts and gin tastings, check out our guide of things to do with your mum this Mother's Day.

Take me there

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Mohair Man, 1991, by Dave Swindells
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Poet Imtiaz Dharker. Photo by Ayesha Dharker
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Good Fridaze Family Social at Freight Island
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