Families: Free things to do with kids in the Summer holidays

As the Summer holidays roll on, here’s our round up (in no particular order) of fantastic free thing to do with kids throughout August.

Be part of Active Streets day at Manchester Craft & Design Centre
As part of Manchester City Council’s Active Streets Days, MCDC will be running family-friendly activities outside the centre from 12pm-3pm on Tuesday 17 Aug. Oak Street will be closed to traffic at that time and kids will be invited to create pavement slab chalk art, using local street art for inspiration.
Tuesday 17 Aug. Manchester Craft & Design Centre,17 Oak St, Manchester M4 5JD. 
See more at https://www.craftanddesign.com/active-streets-day/

Get inspired at Manchester Science Festival Family Weekender at SIM
Manchester Science Festival presents a weekend at Manchester Science and Industry Museum based around exploring our changing climate (timely right now) and ideas for a better world. The festival has partnered with CBeebies and CBBC to bring screenings and activities. Then kids can enjoy special activities inspired by the shows with our Explainers and representatives from Sow the City and learn more about recycling and reusing.
From Friday 20 Aug to Sunday 22 Aug. Science and Industry Museum, Liverpool Rd, Manchester M3 4FP
See more at https://www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/manchester-science-festival-family-weekender

Dig in the sand at Great Northern
Great Northern has brought back its giant sandpit once again: housed in the iconic ampitheatre. This is a truly spectacular place to build a sandcastle, and with deckchairs for the grownups, everyone gets to relax and have fun.
Daily. Great Northern, Manchester M3 4EN
See more at https://www.thegreatnorthern.com/

Make art outdoors at The Whitworth
The Whitworth Gallery’s Outdoor Art club continues on August 11, 21 and 28, from 11-3pm offering ‘workshops that bring art, nature and creativity together’ Events are drop in, so there’s no need to book but if you’re also planning to visit the gallery, free tickets need to be booked in advance.
Wednesday 11,21,28 Aug. The Whitworth Gallery, Oxford Rd, Manchester M15 6ER
Read more at https://university-of-manchester.arttickets.org.uk/the-whitworth/

Decorate Feet in a family-friendly workshop at the People’s History Museum
There are tons of family-friendly activities to enjoy at PHM. over the summer. Don’t miss the Counter Flow family-friendly workshop every Wednesday where families can decorate a pair of plaster-cast feet with a design that reflects their own story.
Until Wed 1 Sep, From 1pm on Wednesdays, People’s History Museum, Left Bank, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3ER
FREE for children. Adults from free-£6 Learn more at: https://manchesterwire.co.uk/families-free-counter-flow-family-friendly-sessions-every-wednesday-at-peoples-history-museum/

Play on the Piazza at MediaCityUK
Until the end of august, MediaCityUK’s piazza is being transformed into a play zone as part of  ‘Summer at MediaCity’, which supports the national ‘Summer of Play’ campaign to encourage children outside to play.
There will be a variety of workshops including; planting sessions with the RHS, circus skills classes with The Lowry, and the Museum of Science and Industry will deliver STEM workshops with a lively twist. There’s also the permanent Blue Peter Garden of course.
MediaCityUK, Salford M50 2EQ
See more at https://www.mediacityuk.co.uk/

Hop along to The Gigantic Leap Frog Art Trail
Stockport first welcomed its multicoloured frogs two years ago. Now there are 21 new frogs to discover, including Stockport Spiderfrog, based on the popular Marvel character Spider-Man. The frogs are on show at various town centre locations until September 26.
Various locations, Stockport
Learn more at https://stockportsgiganticleap.co.uk/

Reach the sky at City Airport
Your offspring will love watching the planes taking off and landing at Manchester City Airport. There are outdoor seating areas so you can take a picnic along (or grab food from the café) and relax close to the children’s play zone, which features a pretend control tower, fireman’s pole,, swings and an aeroplane ride-on.
Outdoor seating areas are available and you can take a picnic along or grab something from the cafe while you’re there.
City Airport, Liverpool Rd, Eccles, Manchester M30 7SA
https://www.cityairportandheliport.com/