Manchester Kid Friendly Days Out

A good family trip to Manchester mixes free museum mornings with one paid treat. Everything below is priced in pounds sterling (GBP).

Morning picks that cost nothing

Science and Industry Museum

Free, open every day from 10:00 to 17:00, and free timed tickets are recommended. Highlights for children are the Power Hall’s working steam engines and the Experiment gallery, which is aimed at under 12s. Weekend and holiday visitors can add the separately ticketed Power Up gallery. Some historic buildings on the site are being conserved, so look at the museum’s map when you arrive.

Manchester Museum

Free, with Stan the T. rex in the ground floor dinosaur galleries. The Vivarium and Nature’s Library are closed until May 2027. The museum shuts on Mondays and stays open until 21:00 on Wednesdays.

Imperial War Museum North

Free entry, at Salford Quays. It is a short tram ride from the city centre.

Afternoon treats

  • SEA LIFE Manchester: from about GBP 16 online. Sharks, turtles and rays swim here, and there are no penguins.
  • LEGOLAND Discovery Centre: grown ups must come with a child. A shared ticket with SEA LIFE starts near GBP 34 and runs for 90 days.
  • The Snow Centre Manchester: an indoor snow slope near the Trafford Centre, so look at its site for sessions and prices.
  • Salford Watersports Centre: sessions in canoes, kayaks and paddleboards, run on the Quays by trained staff.

A bigger day: Quarry Bank

Older children enjoy the cotton mill and the stories of the apprentices. The family ticket is GBP 60.00 and children under 5 enter free. Allow extra time, since the Apprentice House is entered by guided tour only.

Rainy day backup

If the weather turns, both free museums above work for several hours, and the SEA LIFE ticket can double as a wet weather plan when booked for a set time. Pack snacks and a spare layer, because queues for timed entry sometimes form outside.

Practical tips for parents

  1. Book timed slots at SEA LIFE and the science museum for weekends.
  2. A child single on the Bee Network bus costs GBP 1, and an adult single costs GBP 2.
  3. Heaton Park is a large open park, but its tramway has been out of action for repairs, so check the tramway’s website before promising a ride.
  4. Keep young children away from canal and river edges.

Read more: animal activities in Manchester , shows and events and the Manchester guide .

Sources: SEA LIFE Manchester , Quarry Bank , Manchester Museum . Browse family experiences on Viator .