Whether you fancy a family theatre trip, crave some spooky underwater adventures with the kids or want to strut your stuff at a family friendly rave; here’s a roundup of Manchester’s best October half term outings and Halloween treats.

Ascarium | Sea Life Manchester | Oct 12 - 31 | Various Times | From £11.95

Whilst Sea Life Manchester is always a great family day out, this half term they’ve pulled out all the stops to guarantee heaps of Halloween themed fun. The venue will be transformed into Ascarium with Sea Life’s weirdest and creepiest residents taking centre stage at the frightfully scary events. Kids can help the resident Sea Witch save the sea creatures from a terrible curse by gathering the ingredients needed for the magical spell which is the only hope of saving the aquarium’s residents, in aqua themed treasure hunts from Oct 12 – Nov 3. The centre’s mesmerising mermaids will perform alongside shudderingly scary creatures in Halloween themed extravaganzas on Oct 26 and 27 and the spooky aqua events will conclude with a Scaretacular on Oct 31 featuring a guest appearance by the scary Sea Witch.

Sea Life Manchester, Barton Square intu Trafford Centre M17 8AS, Tel: 0871 222 7741
Raver Tots Halloween Party | Sun 20 Oct | 2pm - 4pm | £12 Adults, £10 Children

Raver Tots Crazy Halloween party comes to Manchester on Sun Oct 20 giving the whole family plenty of disco space to strut their stuff. With top DJ’s playing the best dance music, spectacular lighting and a real party atmosphere, it’s a great opportunity for the family to glam up, let their hair down and get into the groove. Whilst Dad is performing his embarrassing Dad-moves, kids can grab balloons, get their face painted and be awed by colourful confetti blasts. 

Impossible, 36 Peter Street, Manchester M2 5QR, Tel: 0161 661 0103
Inflata Nation

Kids and adults can leap and bounce around to their heart’s content whilst unleashing the ninja within at this huge indoor inflatable arena with star reaching activities and heart-stoppingly scary Inflata Drop slides. Challenge each other to a scramble up the Inflata Wall, tumble around in the super inflatable bubbles and take part in a bumpy Inflata Race. Younger tots can have just as much fun in the safety of the Inflata Tots ball pool and soft play area.

Inflata Nation Manchester, Trafford Park, Textilose Road, Manchester M17 1WA, Tel: 0161 710 2360
Spooky Tales | Z-Arts | Mon 28 Oct - Fri 01 Nov | 10am – 12pm & 1pm – 3pm | Free (15 places per time slot)

There’s always something happening at this Hulme based family arts and theatre venue including theatre performances, music, dance and drama classes plus creative writing and visual arts workshops. Spooky Tales are the centre’s free and exciting half term activity sessions for Kids aged between 6 and 10. Youngsters will have the chance to create their own scary puppets based on the spectacularly spooky Raddlesham Mumps and then bring their wacky ancestors to life on stage.

Z Arts, 335 Stretford Road, Manchester M15 5ZA, Tel: 0161 226 1912
Hansel and Gretel | The Lowry | 21 - 22 Oct | Various Times | From £6

Taking your kids to see a great show is guaranteed to become a cherished childhood memory and inspire in youngsters a lasting love of the theatre. This half term the whole family can enjoy a modern take on the classic Hansel and Gretel fairytale which benefits from a quirky innovative twist. You’ll be tapping your toes, clapping your hands and grooving in your seats as the young heroes utilise their wits and determination amid the overwhelming sights, sounds and smells of London to find their way back to their modern family. After more theatre fun? Read our round up of October’s best performances.

Happy half term and Halloween! For even more fun family day out inspiration, take a peep here.

The Lowry, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ, Tel: 0343 208 6000
Tue 1 Oct - Thu 31 Oct
Words:
Julie Al-Zoubi
Published on:
Sun 20 Oct 2019