Babies & Kids in the City 2013 is available to buy now online! It's completely new with some fab ideas on what to do with children aged 0-11years.

Days out in Manchester - Babies & Kids in the city

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Bolton Museum, Art Gallery and Aquarium

Housed in the beautiful neoclassical Le Mans Crescent, this museum and aquarium has a diverse, well put together collection, and is a great place to spend an afternoon with children for free. Armed with clip boards and activity sheets, and after posing for photos by the dinosaur skeleton in the foyer, we set off on our tour, beginning with the Egyptology Room. The sheets kept my two boys of five and eight absorbed as they hunted for patterns on vases and scarab beetles on mummies.   Throughout the museum we found different play areas – a dressing up station in the art gallery, a t...

Bolton Steam Museum

Hidden away beside rows of terraced houses, and within an old cotton store warehouse, lies a little gem steeped in history, the Bolton Steam Museum. Its ‘In Steam’ days are well worth a visit, especially on a Nana and Pops outing with two energetic grandchildren. When we arrived, two small steam-driven trains and carts were giving rides, puffing furiously round the car park, a magnet of course for Will and Eleanor. Great fun albeit a trifle sooty from the fire producing the steam!   Once inside, most of the engines, though static, were running. A cross-section of the types o...

Bury Art Museum

This art gallery was built to house more than 200 oil paintings, watercolours and ceramics collected by local paper manufacturer Thomas Wrigley. It displays world-famous paintings such as Turner’s ‘Calais Sands’ and Constable’s ‘Hampstead Heath’, along with changing exhibitions. In the basement is the museum, which if you are visiting with a pram is the first port of call as it has ramp access, avoiding the grand stone steps up to the main entrance. Here, visitors can view a variety of themed displays and exhibitions of Bury’s past.   The art ga...

Bury Transport Museum

This is a fabulous transport museum and if you have bought a return trip on the East Lancs Railway then entrance is free and it’s definitely worth popping in. Situated across the road from Bury Bolton Street Station, it has recently undergone a £3 million refurbishment. Along with a beautiful restoration to the building, it has been transformed into a modern family-friendly museum.   We went on Harry’s birthday, taking along a school friend who turned out to be a real railway enthusiast! On the ground floor you will find vintage buses, a tram, a 1950s fire engine, a po...

Catalyst Science Discovery Centre

On a cloudy, dull day in the October half-term, we decided to take our ten year old and eight year old to the Catalyst Museum. We started in the main room, which is full of hands-on experiments for all ages. These included seeing if you could make objects move using solar power, using your body as a battery to create a charge, a really cool bubble making machine and many more. Next was the Creepy Craft Workshop where we sat in a lab reminiscent of school days! Lauren and Sam started by colouring and constructing a box, and then made their own slime to go in it. A ‘make a mask’ sess...

Central Art Gallery, Ashton-under-Lyne

Located upstairs in Tameside Central Library with only two rooms displaying temporary exhibitions this gallery is small but friendly and welcoming. Noise and mess are encouraged and there is always a drawing table to create a piece of art. Regular children's activities for all ages are organised during the school holidays. Unfortunately there is no café, but there is a drinks machine in the library and some tables to sit at. We needed to buy some lunch during our trip so we went to nearby award-winning café and cake makers, Trifles. So if you find yourself in Ashton-under-Lyne, p...

Eureka!

Eureka! is a groovy museum. For those of you who aren’t familiar, it’s an interactive, educational museum for children, which strives to teach through play. It’s aimed at the 0-11 year old age bracket but as a parent it’s impossible not to join in too! I’d suggest a day trip as there are six jam-packed galleries to explore. We started with Living and Working Together – a mini town square with bank, post office and my daughter’s favourite, a scaled down version of M&S where the children can man the tills or load up their trollies. It was near-imposs...

Fire Service Museum

The Fire Museum is a treasure trove of old fire engines, photographs and uniforms. Laid out as a Victorian street scene, it’s aimed at older children, but never underestimate the appeal of a big red fire engine to a small child. Whilst you aren’t really allowed on the engines, once you get chatting to the very friendly volunteers, they’ll be happy to let you take a closer look. Volunteers from the brigade have restored most of the exhibits and they also run the museum. On the first Sunday of every month, special events for families are held. Parking wise, there is plenty on R...

Fusilier Museum, The

In 2011, The Fusilier Museum won ‘Small Visitor Attraction of the Year’ for Greater Manchester – and well-deserved, too! The museum is home to the collection of the XX Lancashire Fusiliers and the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, commemorating over 300 years of history and heritage.   The curators have really made an effort to make the content appeal to children whilst still respecting the subject matter. Throughout the museum there are flaps, puzzles, life-sized fusiliers and interactive computer stations to be studied and messed with. In the replicated trench the boys ho...

Hat Works Museum

I’m rather fond of Hat Works. The museum – the only one of its kind in the UK – is home to a recreated hat factory, with restored machinery and a collection of over 400 hats from around the world. Because Hatworks is not on the usual tourist trail, it’s often possible to catch it relatively quiet so I like to visit with a few mum friends and our little ones on a rainy day.   The children love trying on the hats and enjoy guessing what the different variety of ones on display are. There’s a family fun zone off the first floor which has several toys, dressing...

Imperial War Museum North

From the stunning, aluminium-clad building sporting splendid views over The Quays, to the Big Picture Show, a bold 360-degree light and sound display, a trip to the Libeskind-designed Imperial War Museum North (IWMN) may bring on a sensory overload!   Outside the museum sits a Russian tank captured from Iraqi forces in 2003. Once through the doors, there’s a wealth of historical objects to study. Of most interest to me was the field gun that fired the British Army's first shell of World War I near Binche in Belgium and the enormous, seven-metre twisted section of steel, wreckage o...

Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre

Amidst bucolic Cheshire countryside, a massive piece of pure 1950s sci-fi punctuates the skyline: the colossal, gorgeous and iconic Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank. It’s impossible not to be awestruck. If you think Space is boring then pop along and have your mind firmly changed.   Jodrell Bank has seen quite a transformation, becoming a brilliantly hands-on and exciting attraction for all ages. The main exhibition building – the Space Pavilion – allows visitors to find answers to the wonders of the Universe, listen to the sounds of the Big Bang and explore the invisi...

Little Moreton Hall

This moated timber framed property dating back to 1504 is magnificent and the delightfully wonky facia bears testament to its great history.   At first glance, Little Moreton Hall is not perhaps the most child friendly of National Trust properties; it’s a relatively small building with predominantly scantly furnished rooms (though actually maybe that’s a blessing when sticky hands are about!!) and outside the grounds are modest. However we chose to visit in the October half term when Halloween ‘drop in’ activities were available and our children had a ball making...

Lowry, The

Housed in a splendid building situated on Salford Quays, The Lowry is a theatre and series of galleries showing the work of 
LS Lowry alongside contemporary artists.The feeling of space inside the brightly coloured foyer with its sloping blue floor is fantastic. First stop, the Information desk to pick up a Jack Pack rucksack rammed with games, puzzles and activities plus an Art Detective Trail to see how many clues we can solve as we walk round. After a look at the Lowry paintings we headed to The Family Corner. With comfy seats and vibrant design, it’s a spot to relax with little...

Madame Tussauds

It was approximately 24 years ago that I last visited Madame Tussauds. It was in London with my parents but I vividly remember loving it, in fact I still have a slightly yellowing photo of myself and ‘Manuel’ of Fawlty Towers fame. This time, my boys and partner were strangely less keen about going than me but I assured them they would love it. My boys are eight and five so the right age to recognise the celebrities. The attraction took us on a walking route through different genres. It started with an opportunity to sit on the X Factor panel alongside Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell ...

Manchester City Art Gallery

This is often a museum I suggest to friends if I’m looking for a guaranteed hit with the kids combined with a good lunch. Best known for its Victorian paintings especially the world-famous pre-Raphaelites, modern art by Lowry, Valette, Francis Bacon and David Hockney is also on display. There are some great free-to-borrow packs for small children; explorer tool belts for the under-sixes with binoculars, magnifying glasses and spot cards. There are also story bags for families with a story to read, a blanket to sit on and activities to play with. On the first floor in the annex is the exc...

Manchester City Stadium Tour

For City fans and those passionate about football and stadiums, this behind-the-scenes tour is a fascinating insight into one of the newest football grounds in the country.The guide collected us in the reception and then took us through a maze of backstage corridors to emerge on the middle tier of the stadium. We visited a number of executive boxes and were given details of the famous supporters that they belong to for the season and some of their unusual requests!  Sitting in the comfortable seats in the directors’ box was something I could get used to! Hearing about the changes ma...

Manchester Museum & New Ancient Worlds Gallery!

The city should be very proud of this fabulous museum, which in 2012 underwent a total revamp. Adjacent to the main entrance there is now a Museum Allotment, complete with wormery, bug house and a feast of vegetables and plants – the Living World in action. Once inside the museum take your time to go to the loo, de-robe, put your bags in a locker and pick up some activity sheets before you head off through the 15-gallery adventure. On the ground floor is the discovery centre, open at weekends and holidays for object handling, drawing and arranged activities. Climb up the grand staircas...

Manchester Regiment Museum

The Manchester Regiment Museum is within the beautiful Town Hall in the main square of Ashton-under-Lyne. There are a number of steps leading up to the Victorian building but if you’ve got a pushchair there is an entrance around the side with a lift.   The museum tells the story of generations of Manchester Regiment soldiers from 1756 to 1958. There are lots of historical objects on display, including 1,800 medals of which five are Victoria Crosses. You’ll also discover a few interactive exhibits and clothes from various eras to dress up in. In one section, there’s a r...

Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI)

The Museum of Science & Industry has emerged from a major overhaul as an even better museum than it already was, an incredible achievement. Due to its sheer size it is still a place you will have to visit a number of times to do it justice. Renovations in The Great Western Warehouse, the main entrance, mean you are now greeted by a towering digital, tree-like sculpture which forms the centrepiece. It’s tremendous. Your picture is taken at one of the many pods below the sculpture and your photo will zap up the tree to ping onto one of its multi screens. The kids loved it, although I m...

Museum of Transport

Thank goodness one of our favourites lives on! We love the Museum of Transport because the whole place is built on love and you can’t help but be impressed by the enthusiasm behind it. Located within a genuine bus garage just off Cheetham Hill in Manchester, the museum features original transport offices preserved like time capsules from the past, complete with antique decor, furniture, old ticket machines and uniforms. Some of the collection was 
actually used in one of the Harry Potter films. There are over 70 restored buses, coaches and trams – honestly, when you first wa...

National Football Museum

Caring for the world’s greatest collection of football items, including the shirt Maradona wore during the “Hand of God” moment, this is a museum that will delight football fans of all ages. After entering through the metal turnstile we were greeted by informed staff who explained the layout of the museum over four floors. We spent about an hour on the first floor as there were exhibits for the boys to touch and play with as well as stacks of stuff to read. My boys were particularly fond of a game where they had to match flags of the world to their countries in 60 seconds, ...

Ordsall Hall

Amidst a housing estate in Salford with the glistening Media City and The Lowry a stones throw away, a black and white Tudor mansion with origins dating back 820 years certainly stands out. Closed for the last two years, Ordsall Hall has undertaken a massive restoration project – it has now reopened and to much praise. On arrival with our brood, we intended to kill only an hour at most. In fact we ended up staying for over two hours and had a really, really good time! We went on the first Sunday of the month when it’s the family-friendly Tudor Live days; with lots of activities lai...

People's History Museum

This museum might initially seem an unusual choice for the parents of a six year old and two year old to choose to go, but we did and I urge you to do the same. After a major revamp which saw it re-open in 2011, the PHM houses an enormous collection of material that chronicles the lives of working people in Britain, with a particular focus on Manchester.It is bursting at the seams with exhibits and displays – too much in my opinion for just one visit so best to approach it with a bite-sized chunk attitude, far less daunting! Adults get the chance to brush up on their knowledge of social ...

Police Museum

Tucked away in the Northern Quarter of Manchester city centre is the Greater Manchester Police Museum. There are loads 
of dressing up clothes and handling items such as police helmets. You can see the original charge office and the Victorian cells with wooden pillows, which provides a graphic taste of prison life. Upstairs is a beautiful wood-panelled Magistrates Court dating from 1895; now it is often used to train new officers and staff in court procedures and giving evidence. There are lots of interesting pieces to look at and read about; the weapons confiscated from football games i...

Port Sunlight & Lady Lever Art Gallery

The late 19th century village of Port Sunlight was built by William Hesketh Lever to house his soap factory workers at Lever Brothers, which eventually turned into the global giant Unilever. Today its streets, gardens, tea room, art gallery and museum are open to all. We started off our visit at the Lady Lever Art Gallery. In the basement there’s an interactive space where you can discover more about William Lever and Sunlight Soap, draw pictures and dress up. It is worth going down here first because you can collect a trail which will help children explore the more beautiful but rather ...

Portland Basin Museum

This family-friendly museum housed in a restored warehouse on the banks of the River Tame is the perfect place to step back in time.If you travel by car there is a big free car park directly outside, but signposting to the museum isn’t great so work out your route on a map first. We went with a large group of visiting family and all found something that engaged us, as we explored the museum’s two floors which tell the story of local industrial and social history. There are moving models, interactive exhibits, costumes, hats and props, some of which resulted in lots of giggles. For ...

Salford Museum and Art Gallery

Now sporting a new reception, shop and café following building works in late 2012, Salford Museum and Art Gallery is a really enjoyable place to pop along to. We started our visit with the ground floor, which is more the museum bit. The main feature is Lark Hill Place, a re-creation of a typical Salford street during Victorian times. On the way in there are a couple of clothes rails and a mirror, so plenty of fun can be had trying on flat caps and waistcoats! Once inside it is a fantastically dark, atmospheric experience crammed full of detail – toy shop windows, a cobblers, a Pen...

Staircase House & The Stockport Story Museum

This is a museum where you are positively encouraged to touch, walk on, smell  and experience the 15th century exhibit; the oldest house in Stockport.There are 16 rooms in the house. On arrival children are handed a cloth pack with individual mini-bags providing an activity to match most of the rooms. One per family is probably enough. They’re aimed at older ones but it is worth getting one whatever the age of your kids, just for the two glove puppets that are included. In all areas, bar the dining room, children can inspect and play with the objects, allowing you to relax and have ...

Stockport Air Raid Shelters

Experience life as it was during a blackout at the country’s largest purpose-built air raid shelters, constructed in 1939. Situated in the heart of Stockport, this labyrinth of underground tunnels carved out of the sandstone is now a museum.Your visit commences with a short audio-visual exhibition, which we were warned would be dark and noisy. This made our five year old apprehensive, but at the end he muttered, “Is that it?” Younger children however may find it a little overwhelming. We were then left to our own devices to wander through the tunnels and various rooms, such a...

Stockport Art Gallery and War Memorial

Dating back to 1919, this gallery is found in a fabulously imposing neo-Classical building standing right next to the busy A6. Although not particularly one for the under fives, adults will enjoy the paintings and sculptures of local and national importance. Also of note is The Hall of Memory, a semicircular apse in the centre of which is a huge white marble sculpture depicting 'the sacrifice and devotion of the 2,200 men of Stockport who fell in the war'....

Tate Liverpool

The gallery itself, whilst terrific for adults, isn't geared for children. But if you can get an hour while your child is asleep in the pushchair, it's a lovely place to visit. The art is world class and the building is very pram friendly with ramps and lift access throughout. The cafŽ has a selection of choices for the adults - exotic sandwiches, salads, pastas and dips. The children's menu has fish fingers, pasta or a cheese sandwich with cucumber and carrot sticks. This is topped off with fruit salad, chocolate brownie or banana split and washed down with fruit juice. It's a pretty good de...

Touchstones Rochdale

Based alongside the Tourist Information Centre in Rochdale, Touchstones is a modern, well laid out arts and heritage centre. It is ideal for under-fives as there is just enough to keep their interest and I stayed much longer than I’d planned. Although the museum is all in one room, the space is really well utilised; loads of interesting objects accompanied by manageable amounts of text. My three year old enjoyed crawling through the coal pit tunnel and there were lots of hands-on activities in drawers including a bucket which smelt disgusting when you took the lid off, plus a lovely area...

Whitworth Art Gallery

The Whitworth looks after historic and contemporary collections with over 50,000 objects including works on paper, wallpapers and flat textiles. The gallery is a fabulous open space with obvious Scandinavian influences. It’s a space I used to love mooching around when my children were babes in arms. I returned recently with a friend and our three older boys. There’s nothing startlingly child-friendly about the gallery but it does offer Discovery sacks for under-sevens filled with multi-sensory objects and guidance notes to help you explore different themes. We certainly had a ...

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