Things to do this weekend in and around Manchester with kids
Discover family events, free activities, and great days out across Leeds and West Yorkshire this weekend.
Freya
Mum of two
The first weekend of July is packed with family-friendly events across Manchester, with warm temperatures and only the chance of a passing shower. It's the perfect excuse to make the most of the weekend, whether you're heading to a free community festival, discovering somewhere new or keeping an indoor adventure up your sleeve just in case.
From giant inflatables and live music to museums, cultural festivals and hands-on play, there's plenty happening across the city and beyond. Whether you've got toddlers to entertain, older children to impress or simply fancy trying something different, here's what's worth adding to your weekend plans.
Saturday highlights
Saturday is the busiest day of the weekend, with free festivals, family entertainment and outdoor fun taking centre stage.
Middlewood Locks Fest returns with another fantastic afternoon by the waterfront, bringing together live music, arts and crafts, face painting, street food and even canoeing. Stay into the evening and you'll be treated to a spectacular fire installation, making this one of the weekend's standout community events.
Over in Eccles, the Salford Community Leisure Summer Festival offers a welcoming afternoon packed with family activities and community spirit. It's completely free and perfect if you're looking for a relaxed local event without travelling into the city centre.
If your children have energy to burn, Ultimate Bounce Family Fun Weekend gets underway on Saturday. Expect giant inflatables, obstacle courses, fairground rides and plenty of opportunities to bounce, climb and race around. Better still, it continues into Sunday if your weekend is already filling up.
Sunday highlights
Sunday offers a great mix of cultural experiences alongside more active family days out.
One of the highlights has to be the So Hong Kong Summer Festival at Aviva Studios. This free indoor celebration brings together authentic Hong Kong street food, live performances, family activities, shopping and cultural experiences, making it one of the most unique events happening in Manchester this weekend.
Families can also enjoy another day of inflatable fun at Ultimate Bounce Family Fun Weekend, while anyone looking for a quieter pace can spend the day exploring Manchester's excellent museums and indoor attractions.
Days out worth adding to your weekend
Manchester is home to some fantastic family attractions that work whatever the weather decides to do.
Manchester Museum remains one of the city's best free family days out. From towering dinosaur skeletons to Egyptian mummies and natural history collections, it's somewhere children of all ages can happily spend a few hours exploring at their own pace.
Just across the city, the Science and Industry Museum continues to be one of Manchester's must-visit attractions. Alongside its interactive galleries, families can experience the brand-new Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos exhibition, packed with hands-on experiments, space-themed challenges and plenty of opportunities to learn through play.
For younger children with energy to burn, Adventure Forest Play Centre offers multiple soft play areas, a football pitch and even a mini quad track, making it an excellent backup if the weather takes a turn.
Older children and teenagers may prefer Urban Playground inside Manchester Arndale, where technology meets competitive games through interactive mini golf and immersive experiences.
If you're looking for a more relaxed afternoon, Everyman Manchester St John's hosts regular Toddler Club screenings, giving little ones the freedom to enjoy the cinema without parents worrying about making too much noise.
Editor's Picks
⭐ Middlewood Locks Fest
If you're only choosing one free festival this weekend, this would be our pick. Live music, arts and crafts, face painting, canoeing, fantastic food and a fire installation as the evening draws in make it a brilliant afternoon and evening for families.
🌏 So Hong Kong Summer Festival
One of the most unique events of the weekend, bringing together authentic food, live entertainment and family activities inside Aviva Studios. It's a fantastic opportunity to experience something a little different together.
🦖 Ultimate Bounce Family Fun Weekend
Perfect for children who never seem to run out of energy. Giant inflatables, obstacle courses and fairground rides make this a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, and the fact it runs across both Saturday and Sunday means you've got plenty of flexibility.
Practical tips
- Temperatures are expected to reach around 22°C, so comfortable clothing, water bottles and a little sun cream are still worth packing.
- Keep a lightweight waterproof handy in case of a passing shower, particularly if you're planning to spend most of the day outdoors.
- Many of this weekend's biggest events are completely free, making it easy to enjoy a family day out without stretching the budget.
- City centre car parks can become busy on weekends, so arriving a little earlier can make parking much easier.
- If the weather changes, Manchester's museums and indoor attractions provide excellent alternatives without needing to completely rethink your plans.
Whatever you've got planned this weekend, we hope you make some brilliant family memories. Whether you're discovering a new festival, exploring one of Manchester's fantastic museums or simply trying somewhere different with the kids, we hope this guide has helped you find something you'll all enjoy.
If you head along to any of these events, we'd love to see your adventures, so don't forget to tag Sproggo in your photos.
You can browse even more family events, activities and days out on Sproggo, save your favourites for later and start planning your next adventure. Have a fantastic weekend! 💜