Looking for toddler-friendly days out in Manchester that everyone will enjoy?
From outdoor adventures and soft play to museums, farms and creative sessions, Manchester has plenty of brilliant options for keeping little ones busy. Whether you’re planning a full day out or just need an easy win to fill a morning, these toddler-approved activities are designed to keep curious minds engaged — with plenty for grown-ups to enjoy too.
If you’re planning a full day out, you might also like our guide to the best toddler-friendly cafes in Manchester, perfect for refuelling between activities.
East Lancashire Railway
Train-mad tots will love watching steam trains arrive at the platform at East Lancashire Railway, before jumping on and visiting some of the toddler-friendly market towns along route – Queen’s Park in Heywood is a great stop for the whole family. There are also regular children’s events on the railway, including a day out with Thomas, and Alice in Wonderland. Choo choo!
Where? The East Lancashire Railway, 23A Bolton Street, Bury, BL9 0EY.
How much? Full Line Return tickets are available online in advance from £18.50 for adults and £10.50 for children (ages 3–15), with discounted family tickets also available. Children under three go free.
Find out more: eastlancsrailway.org.uk
Manchester Museum
Credit: Manchester Museum
Step back in time at Manchester Museum and introduce your toddler to Stan, the gigantic tyrannosaurus rex! There are some amazing exhibits your tiny tot will find fascinating (like the skeleton of a sperm whale and one of the rarest frogs in the world) and even a pack of dinosaur activities to complete on your way around! Tired little minds can then tuck into lunch at the picnic area.
Where? Manchester Museum, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL.
How much? Free entry.
Find out more: museum.manchester.ac.uk
Heaton Park
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There are endless things to do with toddlers at Heaton Park. With ample green space (this is the largest municipal park in Europe!) tots can roam around safely, while family picnic time is guaranteed. At the animal centre, little ones can cuddle farmyard favourites and meet celebs Heather the Cow and Ice Man the Alpaca. Finish your day by hiring a pedalo around the lake!
Where? Heaton Park, Middleton Road, Manchester, M25 2SW.
How much? Free entry but some activities might have an additional cost.
Find out more: manchester.gov.uk/heatonpark
Play Factore
Credit: Play Factore
With a safely gated toddler play area specifically designed for kids under five, Play Factore has everything you need to keep your tiny tots entertained. There’s tunnels, slides, soft shapes and even tricycles to ride. Parents are encouraged to join in the fun, especially on the interactive iClick floor where motion sensors and colours bring playtime to life.
Where? Play Factore, Beyond, Trafford Quays, Leisure Village, 7 Trafford Way, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester, M41 7JA.
How much? Prices start from £3.95 for under-1s, £12.95 for ages one to four, £13.95 for ages five to 16 off-peak and up to £21.95 peak. Adults are £5.25. Under six months go free. Peak pricing applies on weekends, bank holidays and school holidays.
Find out more: playfactore.com
LEGOLAND Discovery Centre
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Witness some of the best LEGO built structures ever made and make your own brilliant brick creations at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre. With an exclusive area full of DUPLO bricks (perfect for smaller children), a soft play area exclusively for under fives and tiny police cars where toddlers can be an officer for the day, this is the perfect day out for any LEGO-mad tot.
Where? LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, Manchester Barton Square, The Trafford Centre, Stretford, Greater Manchester, M17 8AS.
How much? Save money with an adult and pre-schooler ticket for £12, valid weekdays during term time.
Find out more: legolanddiscoverycentre.com
Outdoor Art Club at The Whitworth
Credit: Ray Chan
Held every third Saturday of the month, the Outdoor Art Club allows inquisitive toddlers to explore the outdoors with family and friends – and get mucky while doing it. There’s a water play area to splash around in, a potion station to mix up marvellous medicines and a mud painting studio for your next fridge artwork. Better still, these sessions happen whatever the weather!
Where? The Whitworth, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6ER.
How much? These drop-in sessions are free.
Find out more: whitworth.manchester.ac.uk
Science and Industry Museum
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There’s tons of things to do for toddlers at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum. Explore and experiment with your little one during the regular Experitots events designed for babies to children aged four – you’ll be equally in awe of science at work! Your tot can also join the Mini Movers sessions where they can roll, clank and clack their way around the Textiles Gallery.
Where? Science and Industry Museum, Liverpool Road, Manchester, M3 4JP.
How much? Entry to the museum is free, while Experitots sessions cost £10 per person.
Find out more: scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk
The Lowry
Credit: The Lowry
With bright orange staircases, sloping blue floors and purple walls, The Lowry is a visual feast for any tiny tot. Head to The Lookout area for an exciting activity room and small soft play zone, along with regular Little Creatives sessions for children aged two to five years old. While these sessions don’t run during school holidays, they’re a great way to keep tots engaged in term time.
Where? The Lowry, Pier, 8 The Quays, Salford, Manchester, M50 3AZ.
How much? Free entry.
Find out more: thelowry.com
Mayfield Park
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A trip to the biggest park in the city is never a bad idea for entertaining toddlers. Mayfield Park’s urban playground has been designed for all ages. It’s complete with crawl tunnels, eight slides, elevated rope bridges, wheelchair accessible play equipment and even a transparent chute that stretches over the River Medlock! Restore energy levels with a picnic on the green after.
Where? Mayfield Park, 11 Baring Street, Manchester, M1 2PY.
How much? Free to enter.
Find out more: mayfieldpark.com
Little World for Scholars
Credit: Little World For Scholars
Grow beautiful flowers in the garden, help fly planes in the sky or add a sprinkle of magic to the fairy house – toddlers can do it all at the Little World for Scholars. This role-play space is full of props and playthings that little ones can use to become the main characters of their stories. While tots let their imaginations run free, adults can sit back with a coffee and cake in the cafe.
Where? Little World for Scholars, 28 Stamford New Road, Altrincham, WA14 1EJ.
How much? Child entry costs £9.95, including free entry for one adult.
Find out more: littleworldforscholars.co.uk
Music Makers at Bridgewater Hall
Credit: Chris Payne
These monthly music and sensory play sessions allow mini maestros to discover new instruments while taking part in fun musical activities. Every session is designed to honour an iconic piece of classical music or showcase a specific musical genre – parents are heavily encouraged to join in with the singalongs!
Where? Music Makers, The Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3WS.
How much? Sessions are £5 per toddler and free for accompanying adults.
Find out more: bridgewater-hall.co.uk
SEA LIFE
Credit: SEA LIFE
Explore the ocean at SEA LIFE with several immersive aquarium zones including coral reefs, jellyfish seas and stingray bay. Toddlers will love spotting the sharks, tangs and turtles as you walk through the ocean tunnel before getting up close to weird and wonderful species in the underwater caves. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a mermaid!
Where? SEA LIFE Manchester, Trafford Palazzo, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester, M17 8AS.
How much? Adult and toddler ticket costs £15 from Monday to Friday during school term time.
Find out more: visitsealife.com/manchester
Inflata Nation
Get ready to bounce and giggle around this inflatable theme park at their Inflata Tots sessions. With the arena only open to those under four at this time, toddlers can have fun on the slides and in the UK’s largest ballpit without any big kids getting in the way – while adults can even join in the jumping fun! Inflata Nation also run SEN-friendly sessions with less tots and quieter music.
Where? Inflata Nation Manchester, Trafford Park, Textilose Road, Manchester, M17 1WA.
How much? Inflata Tots sessions and SEN-friendly sessions cost £7.99 per toddler and free for accompanying adults.
Find out more: inflatanation.com
Z-Arts
Credit: Lizzie Henshaw
With resident storytellers bringing magic to audiences full of tots and a children’s library packed full of books, Z Arts is a great place to take imaginative toddlers in Manchester. There are regular free activities for under fives, including weekly Make and Believe sessions where little ones can get crafty and join a sing-a-long in a fun and relaxed environment.
Where? 335 Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester, M15 5ZA.
How much? Free entry.
Find out more: z-arts.org
Cockfield’s Farm
Introduce your tots to some furry (and not so furry!) friends at Cockfield’s Farm, including donkeys, sheep, llamas, goats, pigs, geese, reindeer and even meerkats! Regular petting sessions let little ones handle smaller animals, while resident farmers are on hand to answer any question from tiny inquisitive minds. You can even go on a tractor ride!
Where? Lees New Road, Oldham, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 8AR.
How much? £12.95 for adults and under 16s, £2.95 for under 1s.
Find out more: cockfields.co.uk
Toddler Times at Manchester Central Library
Manchester’s Central Library puts on many activities for toddlers, including weekly storytime sessions to introduce little ones to reading. These sessions are a great place for toddlers to meet other tots, while you can chat with other parents and carers. If you’re raising a tiny bookworm, look out for storybags at the library – themed bags with a book, toy, CD and colouring sheet!
Where? Manchester Central Library, St Peter’s Square, Manchester, M2 5PD.
How much? Free to attend.
Find out more: manchester.gov.uk/centrallibrary
Museum of Transport
With a chance to see buses, coaches and trams from years gone by, the Museum of Transport is a fantastic day out for bus-obsessed toddlers. Peek into over 70 vehicles and get on board a handful of vintage buses, before dressing the family up in old bus drivers uniforms. You can even ride in style on the Heritage Bus. Just remember to wrap up warm – it’s cold inside!
Where? Museum of Transport, Boyle Street, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, M8 8UW.
How much? £7.50 for adults, free for children under 16 (must be accompanied by an adult.)
Find out more: motgm.uk
