Manchester Day Trips with Kids
Phew! You’ve finally got a day off or a free weekend and precious time to spend with the kids but no idea what to do with them…If you live near to or are planning a visit to Manchester UK, I’ve got you! Here’s a handy list of fun day trips to keep the whole family entertained and build some core memories that will last a lifetime! If you fancy a more educational day out in the Manchester area, I’ve compiled a list of child friendly museums that will be coming out shortly together with an article setting out some great parks and National Trust properties that are worth a visit.
For up to date details including prices on all the outings detailed below, please click on the links and visit the website directly to ensure that the information remains accurate.
The Lego Land Discovery Centre offers an indoor attraction designed for families and children to enjoy a variety of Lego-themed activities and experiences. It is located at the intu Trafford Centre in Stratford, Manchester, UK. The attraction primarily caters to families with children aged 3 to 10 years old. However, LEGO enthusiasts of all ages can absolutely have an enjoyable experience.
The following attractions and activities are available:
Lego Miniland: Explore a miniature version of famous landmarks in and around Manchester made entirely of lego bricks.
Lego Factory Tour: Learn how lego bricks are made.
Creative Workshops: Participate in hands-on building workshops and get creative with lego.
Rides and Play Zones: Enjoy interactive rides, a 4D cinema, and various play zones designed for kids.
Meet LEGO Characters: Meet and greet various lego characters during your visit.
The prices for admission can vary depending on factors such as age, time of visit, and whether you purchase tickets online or at the door. Prices for standard admission are approximately as follows:
Adults: £18-£22
Children (ages 3-17): £14-£18
Children under 3: Free
Family Tickets (2 adults and 2 children): £60-£72
Sea Life, Manchester, is an indoor aquarium located at the intu Trafford Centre in Manchester, UK. It provides visitors with the opportunity to explore a variety of marine life exhibits and learn about the underwater world. The aquarium is suitable for visitors of all ages, from young children to adults. It is an engaging and educational experience that can be enjoyed by families and individuals.
It includes the following attractions and activities:
Marine Exhibits: The attraction features various themed zones, each with its unique marine life, including sharks, rays, seahorses, jellyfish, and more.
Interactive Displays: Visitors can enjoy interactive displays, touch tanks, and educational presentations about marine conservation.
Underwater Tunnel: Experience the thrill of walking through a transparent tunnel surrounded by marine life, including sharks and rays swimming above and around you.
As with Lego Land Discovery Centre, the prices for admission to Sea Life Manchester can vary depending on factors such as age, time of visit, and whether you purchase tickets online or at the door. Prices for standard admission are approximately as follows:
Adults: £20-£24
Children (ages 3-17): £16-£20
Children under 3: Free
Family Tickets (2 adults and 2 children): £72-£88
TreeTop Adventure Golf in Manchester is a themed indoor mini-golf attraction that offers a fun and unique golfing experience for visitors of various age groups. It is situated in the Printworks area of Manchester, offering an indoor, all-weather mini-golf experience. TreeTop Adventure Golf is designed to be enjoyable for a wide range of ages, making it a family-friendly attraction suitable for both children and adults.
The pricing for admission at TreeTop Adventure Golf can vary based on factors such as age, time of visit, and whether you book in advance or purchase tickets on-site. Prices for standard admission are approximately as follows:
Adults: £9-£12
Children (ages 5-15): £7-£9
Children under 5: Free
Family Tickets (2 adults and 2 children): £30-£40
Inflata Nation is an indoor inflatable theme park located in Manchester, UK. It offers a variety of indoor inflatable attractions and activities for children and adults to enjoy. It is designed for family fun and offers activities that cater to different age groups including:-
Inflatable Obstacle Courses: Enjoy a variety of inflatable obstacle courses and challenges that can be fun and exciting for kids and adults alike.
Inflatable Slides: Race down giant inflatable slides and experience the thrill of sliding in a safe, bouncy environment.
Interactive Inflatables: Some locations may offer interactive inflatable games and experiences.
The prices for admission to Inflata Nation can vary based on factors like age and length of visit. Prices for standard admission are approximately as follows:
Adults: £10-£15
Children (ages 4-15): £10-£15
Children under 4: £7-£10
Family Tickets (varies based on the number of people and combination of adults and children)
Jodrell Bank Observatory, located in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England, is a world-famous center for radio astronomy and astrophysics which forms part of The University of Manchester. It is home to the iconic Lovell Telescope, which is one of the largest and most powerful radio telescopes in the world. Jodrell Bank Observatory is an educational and engaging attraction suitable for visitors of all ages, from children to adults. It offers a range of exhibits and activities that can be enjoyed by families, students, and individuals.
The following attractions and activities are on offer there:
The Lovell Telescope: The iconic Lovell Telescope, with its 250-foot diameter, is a must-see. Visitors can learn about its history and significance in radio astronomy.
Interactive Exhibits: Explore a range of interactive exhibits and displays about astrophysics, the solar system, and the universe.
Planet Pavilion: Visit the Planet Pavilion to learn more about the planets in our solar system and the latest discoveries in space exploration.
Gardens and Grounds: Enjoy the beautiful gardens and outdoor spaces, which are perfect for picnics and leisurely walks.
Educational Programs: Jodrell Bank offers educational programs and workshops for school groups and students interested in astronomy and science.
The prices for admission to Jodrell Bank Observatory can vary depending on factors such as age, whether you're a student, and whether you purchase tickets in advance or on the day of your visit. Prices for standard admission are approximately as follows:
Adults: £9-£15
Children (ages 4-16): £6-£10
Children under 4: Free
Concessions (students and seniors): £7-£12
Go Ape Rivington is an outdoor adventure park located in the picturesque Rivington Country Park in Lancashire, United Kingdom, just 30 minutes away from Manchester. It offers a range of outdoor activities and treetop adventures in a beautiful natural setting. Go Ape Rivington offers activities for a range of age groups. Typically, participants must be at least 10 years old to take part in some of the treetop adventures, although there are different courses with varying age and height restrictions.
Attractions and Activities available at Go Ape Rivington:
Treetop Adventure: Go Ape Rivington offers treetop adventure courses featuring zip lines, canopy walks, and various obstacles. The courses are set high in the treetops and provide an exciting and challenging experience.
Segway Tours: Some Go Ape locations, including Rivington, offer Segway tours, allowing visitors to explore the surrounding trails and woodlands on a Segway.
Beautiful Scenery: Enjoy the natural beauty of Rivington Country Park, which provides a scenic backdrop for your outdoor adventure.
If you are after an adventure for younger children, there are more activities at the nearby Go Ape Blackburn.
The pricing for activities at Go Ape Rivington can vary depending on the specific adventure or course you choose, as well as factors like age and time of visit. Prices for treetop adventures are approximately as follows:
Adults (16-64): £28-£33
Juniors (10-15): £20-£25
Under 10s: Prices may vary
Seniors (65+): £26-£31
Chill Factore is an indoor real snow center located in the Trafford Quays area of Manchester, United Kingdom. It offers a range of snow and ice-related activities and experiences for visitors of various age groups throughout the year and is designed to be enjoyed by a wide range of ages, from children to adults. The specific age requirements for activities may vary depending on the experience, so it's advisable to check the age restrictions for individual activities.
Attractions and Activities:
Snow Activities: Visitors can engage in activities such as skiing, snowboarding, and tubing on real snow slopes.
Climbing: The facility also offers an indoor climbing wall for those interested in climbing.
The pricing at Chill Factore can vary depending on the specific activity and the age of participants. Here are approximate price ranges for some of the activities
Skiing/Snowboarding Lessons: Starting from £30 for adults and £27 for children.
Snow Fun Park (tubing and snow play): Starting from £20 for adults and £16 for children.
Climbing: Starting from £15 per person.
iFLY Manchester is an indoor skydiving facility located in the Trafford Quays area of Manchester, United Kingdom, that offers the thrilling experience of indoor skydiving in a controlled and safe environment. It is typically open to a wide range of ages, with participants as young as 3 years old and no strict upper age limit. The experience is designed to be suitable for children, teenagers, and adults.
iFLY offers a wind tunnel experience that simulates freefall, allowing visitors to experience the sensation of skydiving without jumping out of an airplane. Participants are provided with training and guided by experienced instructors, ensuring they are comfortable and safe during the indoor skydiving experience.
The pricing for indoor skydiving at iFLY Manchester can vary based on factors such as the type of experience, the number of flights, and whether you purchase a package or individual sessions. Prices for basic introductory packages typically start at around £50-£60 per person. More extensive packages and group rates are also available.
I hope this list gave you some useful ideas. Please let me know in the comments below if you have any other great recommendations for day trips with kids in and around Manchester that I should try.