27 things to do with the kids in Manchester this Easter holidays (2025)

There are loads of reasons to get out and about these school holidays

It might feel like the kids have only just gone back to school, but the holidays are upon us once again and there's so much happening over the Easter break.

With the warmer weather and longer days, spring is a great time to be getting out and about and there's no shortage of fun events and attractions across Greater Manchester.

Here we've rounded up a few events and days out ideas to give you a little inspiration. And if you want to keep in touch with the latest news and events for families in the area then join our Family WhatsApp group HERE and sign up to the Manchester Family newsletter HERE.

Adventures in Wonderland, Z-arts

Z-arts is inviting families to tumble down the Rabbit Hole to experience their own magical Adventures in Wonderland this Easter.

Created in partnership with Macmillan Children’s Books, this new immersive play experience celebrates the 160th anniversary of one of the most loved children’s books of all time, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Stepping into the shoes of Alice, children will find things in Wonderland become 'curiouser and curiouser'. Greeting you as your storyteller is the White Rabbit, and from the shape shifting Cheshire Cat to a game of croquet with flamingos, there are scenes that will be familiar, including the chance to take your place at the Mad Hatter’s tea party.

Tunnels to crawl through, mazes to get lost in, fairground mirrors to amuse and a ball pool to 'splash' into, plus interactive games and sensory areas, all 'bring Lewis Carroll’s fantastical world to life'.

The Z-arts’ café, Butties and Books, will be serving tea party themed food and of course jam tarts.

Tickets cost £12 (plus 60p booking fee), with a family ticket for four priced at £40 (plus £2.40 booking fee). All sessions are timed and running throughout the holidays. Launch party tickets cost £18 each for Saturday, April 5 and can be booked here.

Easter Egg Hunt, RHS Bridgewater

Little ones can enjoy the great outdoors with a giant Easter egg hunt at RHS Garden Bridgewater.

Running between April 7 and 27, families can track down the giant hand-painted eggs, collect symbols with the help of a code-breaker kit, and crack the code for a delicious chocolate treat.

Little detectives can hop along the Easter Egg trail to crack the code and get hands-on with Easter crafts to create spring chick finger puppets and more.

Budding gardeners can also get their hands dirty and plant a bunny food mixture of lettuce and sunflower seeds to take home and grow.

Families can also enjoy a host of fantastic live entertainment from Magical Jars Storytelling, the Curious Investigators and a giant bubble show from Paris Bubbles.

You can also enjoy the magical Guess How Much I Love You garden adventure trail, which brings to life the adventures of Little Nutbrown Hare.

Children's tickets cost £5 and adult entry starts from £14.50. RHS Members and under-fives go free. A £2.50 charge applies for a code-breaker pack and chocolate treat. For more information and to book tickets, visit the website here.

Museum of Illusions

The Museum of Illusions opened in Manchester city centre last autumn and is the first in the UK.

Billed as 'one of the world's most Instagrammable museums', exhibits range from holograms and optical tricks to full-scale illusion rooms and playful mirror displays.

There are more than 50 exhibits in all, ranging from simple wall-mounted optical illusions to immersive experiences that challenge both mind and body.

There's the world’s first ever optical illusion centred around a tram inspired by the city's Metrolink, where guests appear to be hanging upside down on-board the specially made carriage; the Vortex Tunnel, a mind-spinning illusion that makes you feel like you're actually going upside down; and the Infinity Room, which multiplies your group as far as the eye can see.

You can take as long as you like inside the science-meets-entertainment attraction, but it typically lasts around an hour. Tickets, costing from £19.50, can be booked on the website here.

Easter at the Farm, Reddish Vale Farm

All the fun of the farm is promised at Reddish Vale over the holidays as it hosts its Easter at the Farm event.

Running from April 12 to 21, little ones can meet the Easter Bunny and there's an Easter egg hunt to take part in.

All the usual activities will be running too including pony grooming, the chance to meet the baby animals and visit the small animal barn.

There's an indoor play barn and a large outdoor play area with giant bouncing pillows, zip wires, tractors and more.

Tickets cost £16.50 for children and include an Easter egg. For adults it's £12.50. Book on the website here.

Mr Men Little Miss, Tatton Park

Mr Happy and friends are coming to Tatton Park this Easter for a special Mr Men Little Miss event.

There'll be a programme of colourful trails and activities for families to enjoy across the estate with chocolate trails in the Gardens, Farm and Mansion.

Activities will run from April 5 to 21, including an Easter adventure with Little Miss Tiny in the Mansion and fun on the Farm with Little Miss Giggles and Mr Bump, and Over the Easter weekend, from April 18 to 21, there will be free musical storytelling in the gardens delivered by professional storytellers Connection with Wonder.

It's an exciting year for the much-loved Mr Men brand, having recently welcomed two new characters – Mr Fib and Little Miss Surprise.

To find out more about the Easter events at Tatton Park, visit the website here.

Imperial War Museum North

There's lots of free fun happening at the Imperial War Museum North this Easter.

Story Seekers sessions are running daily throughout the holidays giving families a chance to explore the animal heroes of the Second World War through objects, photographs and stories. Learn the stories of Rip the dog and his ARP service, and Frankenstein the Cat, HMS Belfast's mascot.

You can drop in between 10am and 4pm in the main exhibition space, with sessions running until April 21.

The Family Hub will also be offering Amazing Animals sessions for visitors to discover more stories of amazing animals during wartime, by exploring animal mascots and making their own.

On April 16 it's hosting a We Were There Family Day to give people the chance to meet IWM’s veterans and eyewitnesses of conflict to gain a unique insight into the impact of war on people’s lives. The free event runs from 11am to 3pm. Visit the website for more details.

Kimpton Clocktower

The landmark Manchester hotel is going all out this Easter with some fun activities for the family.

This Easter Saturday, April 19, little ones can let their creativity bloom at Kimpton Clocktower’s Kids’ Floristry Workshop. In collaboration with the hotel’s resident Clocktower florist, The Den at Refuge will be transformed into a springtime sanctuary where children aged four and up can decorate their very own terracotta plant pot before planting a vibrant flowering plant to take home and care for. Every child will be treated to a Grandpa Greene’s Ice Cream as part of the experience.

Workshops take place at 11am and 12pm and tickets, costing £5.50 each, can be bought on the website here.

Parents and guardians are welcome to join them in The Den and enjoy a drink from the bar while they wait.

As part of Kimpton Clocktower’s Easter Weekender, families can also head to Refuge for the return of the Playhouse Project on Easter Sunday.

Between 12pm and 3pm, guests can get stuck into a Cequin Circus Workshop. This lively, hands-on experience offers spinning plates, LED props and more. Little ones can get involved with parachute games and watch the team’s 'dazzling performances with bespoke costuming'.

There's an Alice in Wonderland performer, a Manchester-based musical trio, 12-year-old DJ and broadcaster Dr Cookie and lots more. Free tickets can be booked online.

The Crystal Maze

If you've always fancied giving the maze a go then you can get half price family tickets this Easter.

It's an opportunity to work together with your team, solve puzzles, and conquer the maze, just like the contestants from the 90s' TV show. Take your bold leap into this 'frantic, frenetic and fun world of adventure and nostalgia' as seen on BBC's Blue Peter.

Contestants get to tackle games in the zones including Aztec, Industrial, Futuristic and Medieval.

They also have a fun Easter egg hunt running throughout the Maze, where some of the Crystals have been swapped out for special Easter eggs in the different zones. If these are found then your team can choose between either winning chocolate treats for the whole team or score extra time in the iconic Crystal Dome.

Half price can be booked on the website here.

Easter Party, Red Hall Hotel

An 'exciting day of fun and laughter' is promised at a Children's Easter Party in Bury this week.

Taking place at the Red Hall Hotel, the event includes face painting, balloon modelling, disco dancing, games and an Easter egg colouring competition.

There's also a children's buffet with treats for the little ones to enjoy.

Tickets cost £20 for children (under twos free) and £15 for adults and include food for kids and grown ups.

The event takes place on Good Friday, April 18, between 12pm and 3pm. Find out more on the website here.

Big Egg Hunt, Heaton Park

Following the success of last year's Big Egg Hunt, the event is returning to Heaton Park this April.

Children will be told that the Easter Bunny has locked away all of the Easter eggs and forgotten the code. They'll be tasked with helping Detective Duckling as he hunts for clues around the park to find the code to the chest and retrieve a missing egg.

The outdoor event is running between Friday, April 18, which is Good Friday, and Easter Monday, April 21.

Families can book on a 45-minute hunt between 10am and 2.30pm on any of the days, with tickets costing £4 each.

Each child will receive an Easter egg for completing the trail, with dairy free options available. If one egg will suffice, then you just need the one £4 ticket to take part as a family or group.

The trail begins at the park's newly renovated Stables Café, where families can fuel up before the fun begins or grab some refreshments after their adventure.

Tickets are already flying out for the event and are available to book online.

Open Air Bounce

The popular outdoor bounce park Open Air Bounce is returning in time for the Easter holidays

Based on Umberton Farm, in Over Hulton, Bolton, the attraction is packed with huge inflatables including bouncy castles, slides and obstacle courses.

There are also fairground rides for youngsters to enjoy and this year the attraction has launched an all inclusive wrist band giving unlimited access to rides for £9.95. Bounce tickets cost extra and are priced £12.95 for ages four and above, plus a 95p booking fee. For ages one to three it's £9.95.

Special events are planned over the Easter weekend, with a dinosaur invasion on April 18, Spider Man and Moana and April 19, and the Easter Bunny on April 20.

Visit the website for more details or follow Open Air Bounce on Facebook.

Join our Family WhatsApp group HERE

My Pet Pals workshops, Pets at Home

If you've got a little animal lover or two then you might want to check out the free My Pet Pals workshops at Pets at Home stores this Easter.

Children can enjoy a variety of free activities, including crafting finger puppets and completing their own activity sheets. These sheets feature fun tasks like learning how to draw a hedgehog, a seasonal wordsearch and navigating a spring-themed maze.

Children will also get an opportunity to meet some the pets, as the in-store pet care advisors teach them how to handle small animals like guinea pigs, hamsters and rats with care.

At the end of the interactive workshop, children will receive a My Pet Pals certificate and a sticker to take home.

The free workshops run at 2pm on April 5 and 6 and daily from April 12 to 19. They last for 45 minutes and can be booked online here.

Easter Mini Books, Big Stories at People's History Museum

The People’s History Museum is celebrating 90 years of Penguin Books this Easter holidays and there are lots of activities for visitors to get involved in.

Running from April 5 to 27, families are invited to make mini books inspired by a revolution in publishing and the changemakers whose stories are told on the museum’s galleries.

Taking place in PHM’s Playful Protest Space, children will be given a series of fun challenges to help them create their mini masterpieces to add to their bookshelves at home.

Easter Mini Books, Big Stories is suitable for ages 5+ (under 18s must have an accompanying adult), is free to take part in and no booking is required. Also free to take part in is Banner Bingo; an exciting way to experience the 2025 Banner Exhibition, with symbols like stars, shields and scales to spot on the colourful banners that are dotted around the two main galleries; some historic and some contemporary. You can collect your free Banner Bingo card from the welcome desk.

For those wanting to follow their literary adventure with a visit to the cafe, Open Kitchen at PHM will be serving hot drinks, snacks and light lunches alongside a Kids Meal Deal. And there are places inside the museum for those who want to take their own lunch or snacks along.

People’s History Museum’s opening hours are 10am to 5pm, every day except Tuesdays. Museum entry is free, but donations are welcomed. Visit the website for more details.

Rapunzel, The Victoria Hall

Bolton's popular Easter pantomime makes a return over the holidays with Rapunzel at The Victoria Hall.

It promises 'a laugh-a-minute script, sparkling costumes, beautiful scenery and lots of audience participation'.

With the help of Silly Billy, Prince Ryder and The Queen; will they be able to help Rapunzel escape the tower she has been locked in since birth by evil Witch, Gothel and be reunited with her mother, The Queen.

The production runs from April 9 to 21 and tickets, costing £7.50, can be booked online.

Knowsley Safari

A fun-filled line-up is promised at Knowsley Safari this Easter and families can get 20% off tickets.

There are themed activities running from April 7 to 21, with little ones having the chance to meet the Easter Bunny and enjoy a magical Easter Bunny story time in the comfort of the new cosy tipi on the Foot Safari.

Three interactive Easter trails, with prizes at the end, will keep the whole family entertained while visitors can get creative and be entertained as they learn how to protect native wildlife, with conservation themed crafts.

With more than 500 animals to see on the Foot Safari and Safari Drive, as well as fairground rides and amusements, bosses at the park say it's 'a cracking family day out'. Tickets cost from £17.50. Visit the website here to book.

East Lancashire Railway

Families are invited to hop aboard the East Lancashire Railway this Easter break where there are loads of events planned.

The fun includes the chance to meet Peter Rabbit as the beloved Beatrix Potter character hops by Bury Transport Museum on April 18 and 19. Families can book tickets to capture the magic with a special photo opportunity alongside Peter himself.

There will be funfair rides, face painters and craft activities and you can complete your day out with a ride on one of the heritage steam or diesel trains through Irwell Valley. Ticket prices include a ride on any train service from the Bury Bolton Street Station on the day of your visit.

Other themed events taking place this Easter include Wizarding Adventure, a Dino Adventure and Dining Experiences. See the website for more details.

Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You

Blockbuster exhibition Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You is running at the Science and Industry Museum over Easter.

A second collaboration with the hit BBC show, it launched in February and features the show's presenters Dr Xand and Dr Ronx as virtual guides for visitors, who get to become tiny brain explorers - setting out to investigate Dr Chris’ senses before being sneezed out of his giant nose.

From poking around inside a giant eyeball and journeying through an ear canal covered in gooey wax, to being sneezed out through sticky snot, there's nothing kids won't love about the new exhibition.

Mini medics are invited to explore their own brilliant brains by banging on an eardrum, venturing into a massive eyeball and even taking a whiff of a 'smell library' during what promises to be 'a lively, interactive and playful adventure'.

Tickets are priced at £10, with children three and under going free. To find out more and book your tickets, visit the website here.

There's lots of free fun happening across the school holidays too. Inspired by the exhibition, the museum is exploring the world of senses.

Visitors will encounter the surprising superpowers of the animal kingdom by putting their own senses to the test.

Young animal lovers will discover what life is like for their furry friends by challenging their sense of touch in a special agility course. Live science shows led by the museum’s expert Explainers will explore the senses of curious creatures. And families can take a break in the bat cave to learn more about the nocturnal creatures’ super senses and make their own bat to take home.

The popular Power Up exhibition is also available, giving families the chance to explore five decades of play.

Billed as 'the ultimate gaming experience', visitors can discover how far computer games have come. From retro favourites like Pac-Man and Street Fighter to virtual reality, there's something for all the family with over 100 consoles to experience.

A day pass costs £8, or you can get an annual pass for £15, giving access to the experience for a whole year. See the website here for more.

Oxygen Activeplay, MediaCity

A massive new trampoline play park Oxygen Activeplay opened in February half term.

Taking over the former I'm a Celebrity Jungle Challenge site inside Quayside, formerly Lowry Outlet, at Salford Quays, the state-of-the-art venue features 24 trampolines, a mega-air bag jump, a high ropes course, a Sky Rider aerial ride, an interactive strike arena and more.

There’s even a dedicated Toddler Zone, so little jumpers can have just as much fun on their own trampettes. High above the park, the high ropes course will have fearless families navigating their way across six challenging crossings, while the Sky Rider will 'give thrill seekers a sky-high feeling, as they soar through the air on a harness'.

Tickets cost £14.50 for an hour's Open Play session, or £45 for a family of four. A 60-minute Open Play and High Ropes ticket costs £17.50, with Sky Rider an extra £3. Open Play is for ages four and above and children must be 135cm tall to use the high ropes.

During the Easter holidays you can get discount of over 50% with the flexible bounce pass, which grants the holder 60 minutes of Open Play on five days of your choosing during the break. See the website to book.

Dino Falls Adventure Golf

Dino Falls has an offer running throughout the Easter break where early bird kids go free.

Children arriving before 10am for a round of pre-historic golfing action can play for free from Monday to Friday between April 4 and 22.

There are two 18-hole courses to enjoy - The Rapids, or The Volcano - with an Easter Hunt on both of them giving little ones the chance to find the hidden eggs around the courses to claim a sweet treat.

Dino Falls is at the side of the M60 motorway at Trafford, where visitors play under the watchful eyes of the gigantic resident dinosaurs including Tyrannosaurus Rex, Allosaurus, Baby Triceratops, Pterasuria, Velociraptors Raptors, Iguanodon, Diplodocus and Triceratops.

The course is open daily from 7am to 10.30pm, including bank holidays. Last play around 9.55pm. Tickets cost £10 for adults, £8 for under 16s, or you can get a family ticket for £32. Visit the website to book.

Trafford Palazzo

There's loads of free fun happening at Trafford Palazzo over the holidays.

Visitors can enjoy a host of free workshops from Easter egg decorating to Easter Bunny headband making and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny.

Sessions will run from April 11 to 13 and then April 18 to 21 and also include creating Easter garlands, cards and spring paper bouquets and making Easter biscuits.

All events are free of charge but tickets must be booked in advance on the website here.

Smithills Open Farm

The Easter Egg Hunt at Smithills Open Farm in Bolton is always a popular event with families and it's back this year.

Hunt tickets can be bought alongside general farm tickets and the Easter fun runs from April 12 to 21.

Families are led into the woods where the egg hunt arena is based. Children get the opportunity to search for rubber and plastic eggs and are able to exchange them for chocolate ones. (Non dairy option also available). There are other prizes to find along the route too, and some Easter bunnies and chicks are hiding in the woods.

All participants will receive either an Easter Egg or an Easter teddy bear. There's all the usual fun of the farm for those not wanting to join the hunt. For tickets, visit the website.

The farm's Ice Cream Shop is also open longer now the weather is warmer. Those visiting between 5pm and 7pm get access to the play park on site too, with climbing frames, slides, ride-ons and more.

Easter Adventures at Lyme Park

Families are invited to hunt colourful wooden eggs, big and small in Lyme’s garden trail this Easter.

Hop and play along the way with games, challenges, and activities for all the family to enjoy. Once you’re done you can collect a chocolate egg of your own to take home.

The event is running daily from April 4 to 21 between 10.30am and 4pm. Normal admission applies plus £3.50 per trail, which includes a chocolate egg, or a vegan 'Free-From' chocolate egg. Visit the website for more.

Gandeys Circus

Gandeys Circus is promising to bring 'all the thrills, colour and vibrancy of the circus and carnival scenes' to The Trafford Centre this Easter.

A high-energy production, featuring a triumphant return by 'the hilarious' Bippo, it's running from April 5 to 21.

Prepare to be transported to the lively world of Rio’s famous carnival with 'stunning sounds, dazzling costumes, and an international cast full of flair and excitement'.

Use the code ‘MEN5’ when booking tickets online for a £5 discount. Find out more on the website here.

Stick Man Trail, Delamere Forest

There's a free forest trail themed around the hit children's book Stick Man to explore at Delamere Forest.

Families can join the new forest adventure as the much-loved character, based on the popular picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, returns to the site.

Following the beloved character on his journey back to the family tree, young adventurers will discover nine interactive activity panels and six spotter panels, offering hands-on experiences from building with sticks to learning about forest wildlife, birds and nests.

To make the adventure even more special, families can purchase a £4 activity pack. The pack includes materials to create their own Stick Man and a special passport system.

Young explorers can collect stamps along the trail, filling in their adventure passports as they complete each exciting challenge.

The forest is also home to a new play area which will be open throughout the holidays with a slide, sandpit and more.

For more detail about the event, which is running until January 2026, visit the website here.

We're Going On A Bear Hunt, Southport

If you don't mind a bit of a drive out then there's still time to enjoy the sculpture trail based on the best-selling children's book We're Going on a Bear Hunt which launched in Southport earlier this year.

10 colourful bears can be found in the town centre, featuring unique designs from talented artists and illustrators.

The free event is billed as 'perfect for all ages', with families able to follow a trail map to guide them along the way and use clues at each location to answer bear-themed questions.

Maps can either be downloaded at home from the website here, or collected from The Atkinson Library, ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Vue Cinema and Waterstones.

Southport BID and Sefton Council have joined forces with Wild in Art and Walker Books to bring the much-loved children’s book to life.

The trail is running from now until April 27, with other activities taking place to coincide with the event, including a colouring competition available at town centre cafes and eateries, where children can design their own bear.

A shorter trail is available where families can search for numbers one to seven, instead of all 10. Completed maps can be dropped off at The Atkinson Library, Waterstones or can be entered online, for the chance to win prizes. For more details, visit the website here.

Inflata Nation, Trafford

If it's inflatable fun you're looking for then Inflata Nation offers a whole world of bouncy fun for young and old alike.

Last year the indoor inflatable park underwent a makeover to add brand new features and a huge new ball pit with more than 400,000 balls.

As well as the supersize ball pit, it features other attractions including new spiralling slides, climbing walls, games and obstacle courses. The dedicated under fours area also had a refurb for younger children to enjoy.

Visitors can save 15% during half term by using the code EASTERMANC when booking online.

One-hour bounce sessions cost £6.99 for under-fours and £13.99 for everyone else.

Total Ninja, Trafford Park

If you're wanting somewhere to burn off those Easter eggs then Total Ninja offers activities for all ages.

The park tests your Ninja skills while climbing, balancing and swinging across obstacles or bouncing across their inflatable – plus find out if you have what it takes to beat the wall.

Ninjas can 'find their inner calm' on Balance Logs, or sail through the Sea of Swings with more than 25 challenges to suit all ages and abilities.

There's a cafe for parents who'd rather keep watch and this Easter break, families can make the most of of a deal which includes two 1-hour ninja sessions and a sharing pizza for £24, available weekdays from 4pm. Visit the website to book.

Pitch to Page, National Football Museum

A new exhibition From Pitch to Page is coming to the museum this Easter.

Families can explore four zones filled with iconic moments, interactive quizzes, and nostalgic editions.

Why not take on the Easter football challenge? Test your creativity, solve puzzles, and try something new. Football isn’t just about goals; it’s about strategy, resilience, and problem-solving. Engage in exciting family-friendly activities designed for players, fans, and everyone who makes the game happen.

Find out more on the website here.

Jodrell Bank

There's all sorts of Easter fun happening at Jodrell Bank over the break.

Families are invited to 'be amazed by' the mind-bending Magic vs Science show, get creative with cosmic space crafts, and explore the beautiful Cheshire countryside with an alien egg hunt trail across the grounds, with activities included in ticket prices.

The fun includes interactive Dome Shows, including Ted’s Space Adventure - a sing-along experience perfect for preschoolers.

With 'out-of-this-world exhibitions', a playground and four pavilions packed with fun, there promises to be 'something for astronauts of all ages'. To find out more, visit the website here.