The summer holidays are here, and we take our top pick of family-friendly events entertaining the kids outdoors.
Giant Summer Sandpit | Great Northern | 13th July to 31st August
Families spending a busy day out in the city centre will find the Great Northern Warehouse’s giant sandpit the perfect stop off to take a break and bask in the sunshine. Wooden logs, buckets, and spades, and over 50 tonnes of beach- washed sand will fill out the warehouse’s iconic amphitheatre for kids to let their imaginations run wild and engage in some fun and creative play. Families can also stay entertained long after the sun goes down with the Odeon cinema, Lane7 bowling alley, and a great choice of restaurants all in the same place.
Thegreatnorthern.com
Forest Summer Camp | Kersal Dale | 25th July to 2nd September
The Prestwich-based childcare provider, Kids adVentures, is hosting an adventurous holiday club during the summer break for children aged five to nine years old to get stuck into nature. Encouraging kid’s outdoor learning and curiosity about the natural world, the OFSTED accredited forest school leaders guide young explorers around the wooded Kersal Dale nature reserve for a whole day filled with activities including den making, campfire cooking, forest navigation, and clay craft making.
Kidsadventures.co.uk
Much Ado About Nothing | Ordsall Hall | 31st July
Touring production company, Folksy Theatre, are bringing a combination of colourful characters, live music, multimedia effects, and puppetry for audiences of all ages to enjoy a lively rendition of one of Shakespeare’s wittiest plays. The show is guaranteed to keep families well entertained as the chaotic plot follows the exploits of two pairs of reluctant lovers, with multiple showings performing throughout the day outside the historic walls of Salford’s Ordsall Hall.
Folksytheatre.co.uk
Play Day Festival | Whitworth Park | 3rd August
Whitworth Art Gallery’s celebration of National Play Day is just one of many events taking place throughout the year to inspire young creative minds. Transforming the quaint Whitworth Park into a bustling outdoor art gallery, the Whitworth’s curators will lead a range of team- based activities for youngsters to explore the art of play, including bubble art, water pistol painting, and kite making sessions with local artist, Harriet Hall, which the kids can fly in the park and take home. New parents can also find sensory play areas and quiet zones inside the Whitworth to spend quality time with their child.
Whitworth.manchester.ac.uk
The Nickelodeon Experience | Heaton Park | 23rd July to 5th August
Planting itself on the green of Heaton Park during a nationwide tour, the Nickelodeon Experience is a brand-new immersive adventure for children of all ages to see their favourite TV shows come to life. From multi-sensory activities to creative challenges, the adventure zones dotted around the park let the kids map out their own journey, create their own fun, and work together as a team. Families can also choose from a range of themed food and beverage stalls and choose a perfect memento from the exclusive Nickelodeon store.
Thenickelodeonexperience.co.uk