Okay, it might feel like Christmas was just a few days ago, but half-term is just around the corner. If you’re looking for ways to entertain the kids this February, look no further.
There’s family flight simulators, museum takeovers and immersive light shows, perfect for kids of all ages.
Super Duper Family Festival at Aviva Studios
Manchester is embracing play this February with a series of free Play Zones popping up across the city, including a packed programme at Aviva Studios in St. John’s. Expect digital playgrounds, creative workshops, roller skating, family silent discos, chilled gaming zones and calm spaces to reset, all designed to be accessible, playful and completely free to drop into.
Flight simulator at Deck 747
Out at Barton Aerodrome, a converted Boeing 747 allows the whole family to experience the thrill of flight simulation. With the Winter Sim package, up to six people can step inside a converted Boeing 747 top deck and take turns flying and spectating together. With 45 or 90 minute sessions available, it’s a crowd-pleaser whether you’ve got a plane-mad child or you’re the big kid yourself. If you’ve got the bug, they also offer Flight Academy packages, for those taking their aviation dreams to the next level.
Family fun at the Museum of Illusions
The Museum of Illusions is an easy win for families looking for an alternative to the cinema, or soft play. It’s packed with hands-on optical tricks and interactive exhibits that keep kids engaged, quietly slipping in lessons about perception, science and the brain along the way. You can go for an hour or half a day, so you can make it work in your hectic half term schedule. Located in the middle of the city centre, it’s one to have on your list of things to do.
Wind in the Willows trail at RHS Bridgewater
One of Manchester’s most beautiful green spaces, RHS Bridgewater is bringing a sense of whimsy to half term, turning a classic children’s story into a hands-on half term experience, with a new Wind in the Willows trail inspired by E. H. Shepard’s original illustrations, plus drop-in craft sessions and planting activities for kids. Expect gentle storytelling, creative making, and a chance to explore the garden through the eyes of Mole, Ratty and friends. There are also plenty of craft and planting activities to get stuck into throughout the week.
Kids’ golf camps at TeeClub
TeeClub in Media City are launching Kids’ Golf Camps this half-term, giving children a fun, active introduction to golf in a relaxed, indoor setting. Designed to build confidence as well as basic skills, the camps are aimed at keeping kids moving, learning and engaged over the break. Alongside the camps, TeeClub are also running a half-term offer where kids aged 0–16 can play golf for free when an adult books a bay online, making it an easy win for families looking for something different to do.
Manchester Lunar New Year Fair
A huge Lunar New Year Fair is once again taking over the city centre with more than 120 stalls, street food, performances and family friendly activities celebrating Chinese and East Asian culture. It’s lively, welcoming and packed with things to see, taste and explore – from lion dances to homemade dumplings to traditional ceramics. You’ll be able to catch it all over town, from Market Street to Exchange Square and Catherdal Gardens.
Half term at MOSI Power Hall
Museum of Science and Industry is a school holidays staple, and their iconic Power Hall has just had a huge renovation, meaning it’s well worth a re-visit. It was the building that the museum first opened back in September 1983 when it became home to one of the UK’s largest collections of historic working engines. This is a genuine meeting of Manchester’s history and future, and is well worth checking out, even if you didn’t think you were a ‘train person’. It’s now open again to the public, every day, for free.
Lunar New Year at Trafford Centre
Trafford Centre is welcoming Lunar New Year with a vibrant programme of traditional performances, family-friendly arts and crafts and seasonal moments inspired by the Year of the Horse. Expect hands-on activities for kids, cultural displays to stop and watch, and a festive atmosphere that turns a shopping trip into a full family day out. Tai chi, Chinese calligraphy, paper folding activities and more make up the day-long celebration which is free to attend.
Immersive art at Bubble Planet
Landing in time for half term, Bubble Planet is a bright, immersive experience built around bubbles, colour and illusion set across ten interactive rooms designed to be explored together. Expect playful spaces for younger kids, calmer immersive moments, and an optional virtual reality element. You can find it in the vast warehouse of Depot Mayfield, right opposite Piccadilly. A memorable day out that might leave young minds feeling inspired.
Kids eat free at Trading Route
Trading Route is making half term trips into town easier with a Kids Eat Free offer running all week, perfect for families coming off museum visits, festivals or sightseeing. There’s rotisserie chicken for the adults, free meals for the kids with a paying grown up, and a laid back space where everyone can reset, right in the heart of some of the city’s biggest attractions.
Trampolining at Oxygen Activeplay
Trampolining. You can’t deny, it *does* look fun. Oxygen is an ‘activeplay’ destination for young and old, and you can spend some serious time there this half term. They’re offering a pass that includes five one-hour sessions to use across the week, plus a group ticket that lets four people jump for the price of three. Expect wall-to-wall trampolines, inflatables and a mega-airbag, all indoors so perfect for a rainy day.
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