Entertainment Centre
Havoc VR
Cheshire's only free-roam VR arena, with wireless headsets, arcade games, an interactive sports wall, and freshly made pizzas to finish.
6+ Years£££Indoor
Havoc VR
5.0(62)
Things to do in Manchester with kids
Playgrounds, farms, museums, soft play, and more for families in Manchester.
85 places to visit with the kids
Indoor Play Centre
Little Explorers
A welcoming play cafe with soft play, role play zones and onsite food and drink. Perfect for a morning or afternoon out with young children.
Newborn to 7 Years£££Indoor
Little Explorers
4.9(163)
Museum
Lancashire Mining Museum CIO
A free, volunteer-run Victorian colliery site with a mighty steam winding engine, narrow gauge railway, café, and bags of real industrial character.
All agesFreeIndoor & Outdoor
Lancashire Mining Museum CIO
4.8(931)
Entertainment Centre
Archie's Atomic
A retro roller rink, arcade, and diner rolled into one at Trafford City, with party packages for kids from age 6 and a seriously good smash burger menu.
6+ Years£££Indoor
Archie's Atomic
4.8(386)
Go Karting
Simply Race Manchester
Realistic racing simulators where you pick your car and circuit, with friendly staff who look after beginners and kids alike. Great for a group day out or a birthday treat.
7+ Years£££Indoor
Simply Race Manchester
4.9(132)
Heritage Railway
East Lancashire Railway
A 12-mile heritage steam railway running from Heywood to Rawtenstall, with seven stations to hop on and off, plus a packed calendar of family events throughout the year.
All ages£££Indoor & Outdoor
East Lancashire Railway
4.8(3230)
Historic Site
Manchester Cathedral
A stunning Gothic cathedral dating back to 1421, free to visit and full of medieval wood carvings and colourful stained glass. Calm, welcoming, and easy to see in about 30 minutes.
All agesFreeIndoor & Outdoor
Manchester Cathedral
4.7(7657)
Farm
Farmer Berties
A family-run farm with Strawberry Picking and Halloween pumpkin patch every October. Food and drinks on site, and wellies are a must.
All ages£££Outdoor
Farmer Berties Pumpkin Patch
4.9(67)
Historic Site
National Trust - Lyme
Grand historic house set in a 1,300-acre estate with deer park, gardens and woodland walks, perfect for family days out.
All ages£££Indoor & Outdoor
National Trust - Lyme
4.7(9507)
Go Karting
Team Karting
Indoor go-kart racing venue in Rochdale with party packages and family-friendly sessions.
7 to 16 Years£££Indoor
Team Karting
4.7(1249)
Play Cafe
Baby Bear's Play Cafe
A two-floor play café in Oldham for ages 0–7, with a role-play village, dedicated under-2s area, sensory room, and great coffee and cake for grown-ups.
Newborn to 7 Years£££Indoor
Baby Bear's Play Cafe
5.0(19)
Play Cafe
Let Us Play Little Town
A welcoming indoor Play Cafe with an imaginative little town theme, cafe, and excellent birthday party options. Great for younger children on rainy days.
Newborn to 8 Years£££Indoor
Let Us Play Little Town
4.8(119)
Common questions
What are the best things to do in Manchester with kids?
Sproggo lists a wide range of family-friendly places in Manchester including playgrounds, farms, museums, soft play, parks, and more. Filter by type and age to find the perfect day out.