Free Family-Friendly Activities in Manchester | February 15th to 23rd 2025
Manchester is full of free activities for families this half-term. Whether you want to attend a scheduled event, head to one of the city’s beautiful parks, or visit a venue at your own pace, here’s your guide to the best kid-friendly things to do next week.
Scheduled Sessions
These events have specific dates and times.
MaxTrax Free Multi-Sports at Delamere Park
⚽ Try a variety of fun sports and activities at this free session, perfect for keeping kids active!
📍 Location: Delamere Park, Manchester
📅 Date: Thursday, 20th February
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
🔗 Register: MaxTrax Half Term Sports Event
Pets at Home – Free My Pet Pals Workshops
🐾 A fun, interactive pet care workshop where kids can learn about small animals, how to care for them, and even get up close with some furry friends!
📍 Location: Pets at Home stores across Manchester
📅 Dates: Various dates from February 15th–23rd
⏰ Time: Multiple sessions daily – check your nearest store for availability
🔗 More Info: Pets at Home Workshops
Visit-Anytime Venues
These venues are open throughout the week, and you can visit at your convenience.
Science and Industry Museum
🔬 Explore hands-on exhibits on Manchester’s industrial heritage, the world’s oldest railway station, and exciting science experiments!
📍 Location: Liverpool Road, Manchester
🔗 More Info: Science and Industry Museum
Manchester Museum
🦖 See the famous T-Rex, explore the natural world, and discover ancient artifacts in this incredible museum.
📍 Location: Oxford Road, Manchester
🔗 More Info: Manchester Museum
People’s History Museum
📜 A fascinating look at Britain’s history of democracy, equality, and workers’ rights, with interactive exhibits for kids.
📍 Location: Left Bank, Spinningfields
🔗 More Info: People’s History Museum
The Whitworth
🎨 A fantastic art gallery with family-friendly creative workshops and a beautiful outdoor sculpture park.
📍 Location: Oxford Road, Manchester
🔗 More Info: The Whitworth
National Football Museum
⚽ Discover the history of football, test your skills, and see iconic memorabilia from the sport. Free entry for Manchester residents—just bring proof of address and ID.
📍 Location: Cathedral Gardens, Manchester
🔗 More Info: National Football Museum
Manchester Central Library
📖 Explore a huge children’s section, enjoy storytelling sessions, and interact with fun exhibits. Budding musicians can also try out the free music studio.
📍 Location: St Peter’s Square, Manchester
🔗 More Info: Manchester Central Library
Z-Arts & Hulme Library
🎭 A creative hub for kids with storytelling, drama workshops, and interactive exhibitions.
📍 Location: Hulme, Manchester
🔗 More Info: Z-Arts
John Rylands Library
📜 Step into a magical, Hogwarts-style library and explore the beautiful historic reading rooms.
📍 Location: Deansgate, Manchester
🔗 More Info: John Rylands Library
Longsight Library & Learning Centre
📖 A vibrant library offering free craft sessions, storytimes, and a digital learning space.
📍 Location: Longsight, Manchester
🔗 More Info: Longsight Library
Explore Manchester’s Beautiful Parks
Let the kids run, play, and explore in Manchester’s beautiful green spaces:
Heaton Park
🌳 One of the biggest parks in the UK, with a huge playground, farm, and scenic walking trails.
📍 Location: Middleton Road, Manchester
Platt Fields Park
🌿 A beautiful park with a large lake, playground, and space for picnics and sports.
📍 Location: Fallowfield, Manchester
Debdale Park
🚴♂️ A hidden gem featuring cycle paths, a reservoir, and open green space for adventures.
📍 Location: Gorton, Manchester
Alexandra Park
🎾 A lovely Victorian park with play areas, tennis courts, and a duck pond.
📍 Location: Moss Side, Manchester
Wythenshawe Park
🐴 Home to Wythenshawe Community Farm, where kids can see animals and enjoy free outdoor play.
📍 Location: Wythenshawe, Manchester
Chorlton Water Park
🚣♀️ A peaceful nature reserve with a lake, walking trails, and a fantastic playground.
📍 Location: Chorlton, Manchester
Fletcher Moss Park & Botanical Gardens
🌺 A beautiful spot for nature walks, birdwatching, and family picnics.
📍 Location: Didsbury, Manchester
Manchester has so many free activities for families this half-term, from creative workshops and interactive museums to sports sessions and beautiful parks. Whether you want to join a scheduled event or explore the city at your own pace, there’s something for everyone to enjoy—without spending a penny!
Looking for free activities a little further afield? Check out our Liverpool or Blackpool posts for more fun on a budget!