February 2019 Half Term Activities in Manchester and the Surrounding Areas
The spring break has come around quickly this year but Manchester is ready for it with an abundance of half term activities, most of which are FREE! With most Trafford schools taking 7th – 17th February for half term and most Manchester schools taking the following week, half term once again spans two weeks. Don’t worry: most ‘half term’ activities run for both weeks.
Here is our brief guide to what’s on offer, with an eye on the price (most activities are free) and the dates. Do please share these half term activities on social media and please comment below if you are aware of any events you would like me to add to this post.
Trunk Tales at Urmston Library
Golden Way, Urmston, M41 0NA
FREE
An interactive storytelling show created to inspire children’s love of stories and enhance their knowledge of different cultures from around the world. Suitable for ages four and up. Arabic seas, epic mountains, fields of turnips and the tallest trees will emerge from the magical trunk. Children will help Abdullah buy food for his family, find a suitor for his mouse and protect the brave bull calf from a terrible fate.
This event runs from 11 am – 12 pm on Wednesday, 12th February and is FREE – book via Eventbrite. Accompanying adults do not need tickets.
Science and Industry Museum
Liverpool Road, Manchester, M3 4FP
FREE
There’s a transport theme at the Museum of Science and Industry this half term: These events run from 15th – 23rd February, so be sure to visit on a Saturday if your half term starts on the 10th.
Find out how three terrific teams changed the way we travel in an interactive science show, get the goods from Liverpool to Manchester with the help of some magnificent DIY machines, and make your own fantastic mode of transport to whisk you away.
Made up Machines
Time: 11.00, 11.30, 12.00 and 12.30 (book free tickets at New Warehouse Information Desk)
Age: Recommended for ages 7 and older
Ordinary objects become extraordinary machines when you use your imagination. Work with your group to create a machine that transports goods all the way from the docks of Liverpool to the Manchester markets. Will you push it, pull it, drop it or lift it?
Make it Move
Time: 14.00–16.00 daily (drop in)
Age: Recommended for ages 3 and older
Do you like to move it? Use your imagination to make something that moves. Roll our challenge cube for inspiration and test your creation in our Experiment Zone!
Science Showdown: Terrific Teams
Time: Daily shows at 12.00, 13.00, 14.00 and 15.00
Age: Recommended for ages 5 and older
Discover the amazing stories of engineers, inventors and explorers who teamed up to revolutionise the way we move around. Through interaction and big, fun demonstrations, you’ll bring their world-changing work to life.
Older children will also enjoy the museum’s temporary exhibition: Notables: 14 Scientists who Shaped Our Lives.
Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre
Macclesfield, SK11 9DW
Admission: £8.50 for adults/ £7.50 concessions/ £6.50 for children
Science Show: the Science of a World Heritage Site
Jodrell Bank became a World Heritage site in July 2019. In this show find out about some of the important moments in this site’s history which make it such an important place.
Space Crafts
Create space-themed crafts from 11 – 4pm each day.
These events run from Saturday 15th to Sunday 23rd February and are FREE with general admission.
The Little Prince at Z Arts
335 Stretford Road, Hulme, M15 5ZA
TICKETS: £6 – £8
Suitable for ages 5+, The Little Prince is a magical retelling of the much loved story with puppetry, music of North African heritage and a rich Afrofuturist aesthetic. Running from 20th – 22nd February, you can find more information and book here.
Lyme Park
Open all year round.
Admission: from £4.50 for adults. Children under five go free.
Lyme Park is a glorious stately home, tucked away on the fringes of Stockport, which boasts spectacular gardens, wild moorland and a deer park. Kids can run around the play area and explore the house and gardens. More information here.
Kids Go Free at Dino Falls Adventure Golf
Old Park Lane, M17 8PG Manchester, United Kingdom
Adults: £8
Back by popular demand for 2020, the Kids Go Free before 10.30am offer returns from 17th – 28th February. Available Monday to Friday ONLY, one child goes free with each paying adult. Full T&Cs, here: www.dinofalls.co.uk/offers/2020/1/31/kids-go-free-february-half-term
Half Term Family Fun at City Airport (previously Barton Aerodrome)
Liverpool Rd, Eccles, Manchester M30 7SA
Admission is FREE – but charges apply for funfair and other activities (see below)
Join the fun at City Airport with its traditional family funfair, children’s entertainer, disco, games and prizes.
Watch aircraft land and take-off from the Control Tower First Floor Balcony. There is also a free Children’s Play Zone featuring swings, aeroplane ride-on and specially designed ‘Control Tower’ climbing frame with climbing net, fireman pole, slide and swings.
This event runs from Saturday 15th to Sunday 23rd Feb, daily from 12 pm – 5 pm. Parking is free. More information at www.visitcityairport.co.uk/fair
Dippy the Dinosaur at One Riverside, Rochdale
Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU
FREE
The world famous Diplodocus dinosaur cast from the Natural History Museum is on a national tour and Dippy is currently residing in Rochdale, until June. Visitors can look forward to a unique day out, with two dinosaur experiences to enjoy.
Meet Dippy at Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU. This superstar dinosaur which has been seen by millions of people in the Natural History Museum in London. You can also explore the discovery lab with hands-on exhibits, a storytelling space and a projection of a herd of diplodocus dinosaurs.
Next, you may take the short walk (0.4 miles) to the family friendly exhibition at Touchstones Rochdale. There you can learn more about the diplodocus. Explore the world of dinosaurs and see some fossilised bones, on loan from Natural History Museum and Manchester Museum.
Beyond Half Term
A break from school is a good time to take stock of your child’s progress at school. Is s/he meeting expected levels? Does s/he need to be pushed more? Are there any important tests or exams coming up during this school year (you can check this here)? Are you preparing for entrance exams in September (dates here)? You may be thinking about booking some tuition. Who better to choose than our team of qualified teachers at Better Tuition? Since April 2008 we have helped many hundreds of children achieve and succeed in school. Call Paul Syrett or Christine McLaughlin now on 0161 748 3912 to book your FREE assessment or FREE trial lesson. Try us: you will be amazed at the impact we make with just a few lessons.
