Looking for something different to do with your baby or pre-schooler in 2016? Look no further than our handy guide, which takes in forest schools, toddler trampolining and art, drama and craft classes at Manchester’s Z-Arts.
1. Forest Schools
Forest schools – ie. guided messing around in the great outdoors – are a bit of a trend right now. There are many in Manchester to choose from, ranging from all day sessions to shorter, one or two hour bites. All require outdoor-ready wear – such as waterproofs, wellies and warm clothes. But as they say, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. Get involved in Urmston Meadows with Muddy Feet’s classes (Saturdays from April 2016, Urmston Meadows, 10am-11.30am, £6 per session per child, or £10 for two children). Or try Babes in the Woods provided by We Are Adventurers (Tue / Fri from March 2016, Chorlton Water Park, 10am-11am, £36 for six sessions). There are others in Old Trafford Centenary Gardens and many other locations. We’re also big fans of Hulme Community Garden Centre‘s (pictured) weekly session for 0-3 year olds, which run on a Thursday from 11am-noon and include tea for adults and juice for young people in the £3 per child fee.
2. Toddler Trampolining
Toddlers love to bounce. So, why not unleash them on 140 interconnected, padded trampolines at Jump Nation’s Toddler Time sessions near the Trafford Centre. New classes are launching at the new Bounce Central UK centre in Swinton which opens on Friday 25 January 2016.
Wednesdays, Jump Nation, Trafford Park, Textilose Road, Manchester M17 1WA. Tel: 0161 710 2360, 10am-11am, £5 per toddler, adults go free, booking essential, www.jumpnation.com
3. Get arty at Z-Arts
Back in the day, the Zion Centre offered a range of events that seemed plucked from a hat. Not any longer. The centre, now called Z-Arts, is now devoted to young people of all ages – and, in particular, to encouraging their creative streak. So why not get your young ones involved. Families have to join first, but the joining fee is from around £15 for a whole year so it’s not a huge outlay – plus it works out less than £1 a week type things. We like the look of Baby Play on Tuesdays (10.30am) and acting classes for older kids (11+) on Wednesday evenings.
Various times and prices, Z-Arts, 335 Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester
M15 5ZA. Tel: 0161 226 1912, www.z-arts.org
- Words:
- Ruth Allan
- Published on:
- Mon 25 Apr 2016
