As the first school holiday of the new academic year crests the horizon, we’ve assembled a guide of the most entertaining and affordable ways to keep the children – and yourselves – thoroughly entertained during the week off.
From the city centre to Warrington, here are some of the best half-term events around Manchester this month.
Taking place as part of Manchester Literature Festival, Z-Arts’ nature-inspired show featuring an agoraphobic but overwhelmingly curious little bear is ‘the perfect first theatre experience’ for toddlers. Featuring interactive puppetry backed by a blend of mesmerising visuals and a gorgeous soundtrack, this is the perfect morning event for babies and their families.
With live performances, a storytelling stage, a rock festival, a carnival, a rooftop monster invasion and much, much more, Manchester’s Halloween in the City weekend is a fearful, fun-packed end to the half-term break, as visitors can even ring in winter on the Scare Skate ice rink.
Sketching ‘gently spooky’ characters from his beloved picture books including You Choose, Shark in the Park and Pants, author and illustrator Nick Sharratt hosts a Halloween-themed drawalong for kids aged 4+. All visitors need to bring is paper, a pen and something to lean on to take part in this engaging 75-minute workshop.
Out in Warrington, a team of ‘paranormal scientists’ invite guests on a supernatural expedition to uncover the source of mysterious sightings at Walton Hall and Gardens. Featuring immersive storytelling, magic, dancing, games and more family entertainment, the event – taking place in hourly timeslots – is the ideal rural adventure for kids on Halloween weekend.
A ‘riotous hands-on experience’ commencing as one of the headline shows of Manchester Science Festival, Turn It Up: The Power of Music is the Science and Industry Museum’s new major exhibition exploring the data behind the spiritually propulsive nature of music and its role in our creativity, feelings and interconnectedness. Featuring musical robots, next-gen gesture-based sonic gloves and even a flame-powered organ, the SIM showcase is an unmissable experience for all ages.
Throughout the October half term, IWM North is hosting a wildly entertaining range of free family activities, from live performances and design studios to camouflage camps and adventure missions. Whether it’s captivating and insightful espionage sessions or sobering first-hand stories of combat from veterans, IWM North provides the perfect half-term day out this October.
- Words:
- Wolf McFarlane
- Published on:
- Sun 2 Oct 2022
Featuring ‘an unmissable programme’ full of world premieres, entertaining events and inspiring experiences curated to consider our place in the near and far future, the Science and Industry Museum’s nine-day family-friendly festival takes place across the city throughout half term week. With an events lineup including rhythmic robots, nocturnal nature tours, interactive cosmic journeys, after-hours adult exhibitions and more, the vast schedule of activities makes for perfect school holiday fun.