Things To Do in Manchester With Kids This Summer: Family Days Out and Rainy-Day Ideas

Looking for the best things to do in Manchester with kids this summer?

Whether you have energetic toddlers, football-mad youngsters or teenagers who need something more exciting than another afternoon at home, Manchester is packed with family-friendly attractions for the summer holidays.

There are huge parks for sunny days, fascinating museums for low-cost adventures, indoor attractions when Manchester’s famously unpredictable weather arrives and plenty of places to eat once everyone has worked up an appetite.

Better still, a Kids Pass can help families save on attractions, cinema trips, activities and family dining throughout Manchester and beyond. Current Manchester offers include discounts across activities such as bowling, active play and family attractions, while Kids Pass also offers discounted cinema tickets and restaurant deals nationwide.

Cockfields Farm: Our Top Manchester Family Day Out This Summer

If there is one attraction to put near the top of your summer holiday list, make it Cockfields Farm Park.

Located between Ashton-under-Lyne and Oldham, Cockfields Farm is a family-run Greater Manchester attraction and an easy choice when you want a full family day out without travelling far from Manchester.

Children can get closer to farm animals, explore the attraction and enjoy a proper change of scenery away from the city centre.

And this summer there is an even bigger reason to visit.

Save 50% at Cockfields Farm with Kids Pass

Kids Pass members can currently unlock 50% off Cockfields Farm's Farmlife Festival, making it one of the standout family savings available around Manchester this summer.

It is a particularly good option if you're searching for:

• Family days out near Manchester
• Things to do with toddlers in Manchester
• Animal attractions in Greater Manchester
• Affordable summer holiday activities
• Outdoor activities around Oldham and Ashton-under-Lyne

Cockfields Farm is at Lees New Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 8AR. Families travelling from central Manchester can also use the 231 bus from Piccadilly Gardens, with the nearest listed stop around a 15-minute walk from the farm.

Kids Pass tip: Check the current Cockfields Farm offer and booking terms before visiting so you can make the most of the 50% saving.

Explore Manchester's Brilliant Family Museums

Manchester is one of the easiest cities in the UK to fill a family day without spending a fortune.

Several major museums offer free admission, including Manchester Museum and the Science and Industry Museum, making them particularly useful during the long summer holidays.

Manchester Museum

Dinosaurs, ancient history, animals and fascinating objects from around the world make Manchester Museum a strong option for curious kids.

Because much of the experience is indoors, it is also one of the easiest answers to the inevitable summer question:

What can we do in Manchester if it rains?

Combine a museum visit with lunch in the city and you have an easy family day without needing a packed itinerary.

Science and Industry Museum

For kids who are always asking how things work, add the Science and Industry Museum to your list.

Manchester's industrial and scientific history provides plenty to discover, and the museum is another useful option for keeping costs down during the school holidays.

People's History Museum

Older children who enjoy history and discovering the stories behind everyday life may also enjoy the People's History Museum.

It is a good addition to a Manchester city-centre day, particularly if you want to mix sightseeing with educational activities without making the day feel like school.

Football Things To Do in Manchester With Kids

For football-loving families, Manchester is difficult to beat.

National Football Museum

The National Football Museum is an obvious first stop.

Families can discover football history, famous shirts, trophies and interactive experiences, making it particularly useful when you need a football-themed activity that isn't dependent on good weather. Manchester's official tourism guide specifically recommends it as a rainy-day family option.

Because it is in Manchester city centre, it can easily be combined with shopping, lunch or another attraction.

Manchester City Stadium Tour

Want to go behind the scenes?

A Manchester City Stadium Tour gives young football fans the opportunity to experience one of Manchester's most famous sporting venues from a completely different perspective.

Stadium tours work especially well with older children and teenagers, giving families another option beyond traditional play centres and children's attractions.

Enjoy a Sunny Day at Heaton Park

When the sun finally appears, make the most of it.

Heaton Park is one of Manchester's best-known green spaces and offers a huge amount of room for families to walk, play and spend time outdoors.

Its attractions include expansive parkland, woodland, a boating lake and an animal centre.

Take a picnic, bring a football and turn it into a simple low-cost summer day out.

For families trying to stretch their summer holiday budget, parks are also a great way to balance paid attraction days with completely free afternoons.

Spend the Day at Wythenshawe Park

Another easy outdoor option is Wythenshawe Park.

Pack snacks, find some open space and give the kids the chance to burn off some energy without needing to organise an expensive attraction every day of the holidays.

Mixing free park days with discounted Kids Pass attractions can help make six weeks of summer entertainment considerably more manageable.

Family-Friendly Restaurants in Manchester

After climbing, exploring museums or spending several hours at the farm, food quickly becomes the next priority.

Manchester has no shortage of casual restaurants suitable for families, so look for somewhere close to your chosen attraction rather than spending half the day travelling across the city.

Before booking, check the Kids Pass dining offers too.

Current Kids Pass restaurant deals include savings at family-friendly restaurant brands and offers such as 20% off food at Prezzo and participating Kids Eat Free deals.

Save on Manchester Family Days Out With Kids Pass

From farm adventures and indoor attractions to cinema trips and family meals, there are plenty of ways to make the Manchester summer holidays memorable without paying full price every time.

Join Kids Pass from just £1 for 30 days and check the latest family offers before booking your next Manchester adventure.

And if you're choosing one attraction to start with this summer, don't miss Cockfields Farm, where Kids Pass members can currently unlock 50% off the Farmlife Festival.