From rocket launches and undercover spy missions to beloved storybook characters, steam train excursions and seaside-style fun, Manchester’s summer holiday calendar is once again spilling over with memorable days out for families with restless children of all ages.
Whether you’re planning a free afternoon in the city, an adventure beneath giant radio telescopes or a trip aboard a heritage railway, here are some of the best activities to enjoy throughout the school break.
Running throughout July and August, IWM North presents an imaginative schedule of free family activities exploring stories of espionage, courage and resilience through hands-on games, exhibitions and live performances.
Alongside the major exhibition Spies, Lies and Deception, aspiring secret agents can tackle a museum-wide trail, complete covert challenges at Spy School and discover remarkable true stories from the world of wartime intelligence.
The programme continues into late summer with We Were There family days, where veterans and eyewitnesses share first-hand experiences of conflict, while television presenter Ben Shires brings history to life through lively interactive shows. Visitors can also explore the museum’s award-winning permanent galleries, immersive Big Picture Show projections and the striking Poppies installation, all included with free admission.
Out in the rolling Cheshire countryside, Jodrell Bank’s Curious Universe season promises another unforgettable summer of cosmic adventure, blending hands-on science, immersive experiences and outdoor adventure across the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Daily activities include creative Mission: Create! workshops, a Solar System trail through the grounds, constellation-themed playgrounds and Discover the Dish, offering fascinating introductions to the world-famous Lovell Telescope.
Inside the Space Dome, visitors can choose from an impressive programme of films including the brand-new Niyah and the Multiverse and Supermassive Black Holes: Uncovering the Invisible, while the touring exhibition Cosmic Titans explores some of the universe’s biggest mysteries through spectacular sculptural installations. Jodrell’s annual pass admission system means families can return as often as they like throughout the year.
Meanwhile, Lowry celebrates some of children’s literature’s most beloved animal characters with Wild Things, a thoroughly delightful exhibition featuring almost one hundred original illustrations from classics including Elmer, Dear Zoo, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and Owl Babies, alongside contemporary favourites from many of Britain’s leading illustrators.
Designed especially for under-sevens, the exhibition also features a host of playful installations, from the Bee Calm Spa and Vera’s Veggie Delights Stall to The Furry Wardrobe, encouraging little visitors to wander between the pages of some of the nation’s best-loved picture books.
SEA LIFE Manchester’s all-new Sea Creature Rescue Squad transforms a visit to Trafford Palazzo’s popular aquarium into a conservation adventure.
Families receive a rescue mission pack before setting off around the attraction to complete challenges focused on sharks, turtles, seahorses, coral reefs and freshwater habitats, learning about endangered marine life along the way.
Successful recruits earn their own Rescue Squad certificate and activity pack, while the aquarium’s sharks, rays, turtles and tropical species provide exciting opportunities to discover the real creatures behind each mission.
For families interested in ecology and conservation, Manchester Museum’s major new exhibition Human Natures explores humanity’s complex relationship with the natural world through captivating installations, thought-provoking artworks and interactive displays.
Travelling from forests and farms to fashion and fast consumption, the exhibition examines how everyday choices shape environments across the globe while celebrating inspiring projects working towards a more sustainable future.
Alongside absorbing installations and rare objects, visitors can discover stories ranging from the Victorian campaign against the plumage trade to contemporary community initiatives tackling waste, plastics and environmental justice.
Pontypandy’s favourite firefighter returns with a brand-new stage adventure as Fireman Sam Live! sails into Stockport Plaza for one day only this August.
After Norman Price uncovers clues leading towards a long-lost pirate treasure, it falls to Fireman Sam and the rescue team to prevent another spectacular disaster.
Packed with singalong songs, colourful characters and interactive moments throughout, the swashbuckling production promises plenty of laughs for preschool audiences and their families.
Over at the Palace Theatre, Peppa Pig and friends return to town with another new stage caper celebrating the arrival of baby Evie.
As Peppa, George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig race to finish decorating and prepare for their growing family, little audience members are invited to join in the fun with songs, games and a host of fabulous surprises.
‘A fun, colourful and musical production that keeps littles ones entertained throughout’ – Everything Theatre
Manchester Day returns for 2026 with another huge programme of free performances, workshops and family entertainment, this year honouring the city’s cultural partnership with Barcelona.
Alongside the ever-popular parade, the festivities include Catalan street theatre, live music, dance, acrobatics and giant walkabout performances filling the city centre throughout the afternoon.
Manchester Central Library also hosts a special programme inspired by the Year of Reading, while British Cycling and British Taekwondo offer free have-a-go sessions alongside music, crafts and entertainment across Albert Square, St Peter’s Square and beyond.
In Bury, the East Lancashire Railway’s fun-filled summer programme brings together heritage steam trains with an ever-changing calendar of themed family adventures.
Highlights include Day Out With Thomas, Wizarding Adventure, Dino Adventure, Villain Adventure, Wonderland Adventure, Goldilocks and Friends and even a K-Pop Party, plus a special appearance from Peppa Pig at Bury Transport Museum.
Blending breathtaking art, fascinating history and one of the region’s most beautiful countryside settings, Dunham Massey offers families plenty to enjoy throughout the holidays.
Visitors can experience theatrical encounters inside the historic house, explore the tranquil deer park and gardens, and enjoy a series of exhibitions ranging from contemporary sound installation ORIGIN to botanical artworks inspired by Mary Delany.
Read more HERE and plan your visit below.
- Words:
- Wolf McFarlane
- Published on:
- Fri 10 Jul 2026
New for 2026, the Science and Industry Museum blasts off into a starry summer with a packed programme of free space-themed activities inspired by its blockbuster exhibition, Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos.
Daily highlights include interactive science shows, hands-on rocket experiments and a museum-wide Martian trail uncovering fascinating stories hidden throughout the galleries, alongside permanent favourites including the newly reopened Power Hall, Revolution Manchester and the Experiment Gallery.
The special Rocket Wednesdays programme offers more spacefaring wonder, welcoming the towering 30-foot Skybolt 2 rocket, space-inspired workshops, live performances and family activities throughout the holiday. On Wed 12 Aug, visitors can also celebrate the partial solar eclipse with expert talks, giant-screen projections and spectacular demonstrations exploring one of the year’s most remarkable astronomical events.
Read our detailed breakdown HERE and see the full programme below.