Looking for some new fun things to do in Manchester with your kids? Are you tired of going to the same old places? Then look no further.
Check out my list of indoor places in Greater Manchester which are sure to be entertaining for the whole family. Whether your family are the fun and adventurous type, or prefer more of an educational day out, there is something for everyone here. The list is in no particular order. Here we go:
1. Stonerig Raceway
Ready to have some FUN?!
Were you a huge scalextric fan growing up and want to relive your childhood memories for a day with your own kids? Then look no further than Stonerig Raceway.
Situated in Oldham, this very small yet exquisite place is a children’s (and adults) wonderland! With an impressive 7 tracks (soon to be 8), and Formula One simulators to test out your driving skills, a fun time is sure to be had by all the family!
Why do I love it here?
The tracks are extremely impressive, and most of all fun. Each track has a different theme, from icy roads, to a King Kong experience and Space Odyssey to name a few. The thrilling tracks are split over 2 floors and are perfect for any competitor or if you just want to have a pure blast.
Staff are friendly and helpful and most of all, love what they do! The 2 owners Gaz and Carole built and designed these tracks from scratch in order to push boundaries and provide an incredibly fun and different experience for all.
So if fun tickles your fancy, this is definitely one to check out!
Note: Kids must be 6 years or over to play the tracks and 11 years up for the simulator.
Address: Stonerig Raceway Ltd Unit 2 Milking Green Hartshead Street Lees Oldham OL4 5EE
Visiting Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 10am til 5pm
Admission fee: Scalextric 60 Minute Session – £12.50 p/p, 2 Hour Session – £22.50 p/p
Formula One prices start from £13.50
Public Transport Links: A bus is available from Picadilly Gardens in Manchester City Centre to County End, and then a short walk. But this journey will take you about an hour.
Find out more and book tickets here:
2. Puttstars Mini Golf – Rochdale
I know what you might be thinking? Mini golf. Isn’t that a bit standard?
Well mini golf has now entered the 21st century. At Puttstars, they have said goodbye to the old pen and paper to jot down your scores, and introduced tablets instead to enhance the game. With three fun 9 hole courses, this is an interactive experience for the whole family.
How does the game work?
As usual, the player with the highest amount of points wins. Simply use your tablet to enter in the number of putts it takes you to get the ball in the hole, and these will then be turned into points. For example, a hole in 1 = 1000 points, hole in 2 = 800 points and so on. The fewer putts it takes you, the higher you will score.
There is also the fun addition of the use of jokers. Each player is given 2 jokers which you can choose to use to get extra points, but only if you risk to use them before you take your turn. It’s all part of the fun, eh?!
As a plus, the prices are very affordable too. Check it out!
Address: Puttstars Rochdale, Riverside Walk, Rochdale, Greater Manchester, OL16 1BE
Opening times: Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs, Sun – 10am till 11pm, Fri/Sat – 10am till 12am
Admission fee: One round adult: £5.30, Child: £4.30
Public transport: The Rochdale Interchange tram stop is right opposite the leisure park.
Book tickets here:
(Image from Google)
(Image from Google)
(Image from Google)
3. Fireground
Looking to change things up a bit and add some educational aspect to your children’s half term? Or do you have a child who is a fire engine fanatic? Then check out the Fireground.
Located in the former Rochdale Fire Station, this momentous museum brings the history of firefighting in the Greater Manchester area to life. The museum had a major revamp in 2021, and has now opened its’ doors with many brand new and exciting things to do and see.
There is a collection of ancient and present day fire engines, lots of fascinating history to be read including The Blitz and Great Fire of London, or you can even take a walk down a fantastic replica of an old Victorian street where you can dress up and play the part! Kids will love this.
Another exciting part of the museum for kids is sliding down the fire pole (of course), and there is an interactive fire engine driving game for 2 players. Your kids can sit inside a play fire engine in front of a screen where they have to make the right decisions in different dangerous situations. They have the opportunity to save the day! Will they save a lady in danger from a flood, or a distressed cat from a tree? What will they do? Find out by taking them to Fireground.
Address: Fireground, Maclure Road, Rochdale, OL11 1DN, United Kingdom
Opening times: Thursday, Friday and Saturday – 10am till 4pm
Admission fee: Adult – £7, Children (4-15) – £5, Under 3s – Free
Public Transport: The Metrolink stop Rochdale Railway Station is right outside the museum, and Rochdale mainline railway station is approximately 100 yards away. Buses to Manchester, Bury and Oldham also stop close by. (Taken from website).
Find out more information here. Pre-booking is not essential. Just turn up on the day and pay.
4. The Portland Basin Museum
What a gem of a place this is! Hidden in the streets of Ashton-under-lyne in a restored 19th century warehouse, this charming canal side museum takes visitors back to experience Tameside in the 1920s. The past streets of Tameside are brought to life through sights and sounds where visitors can enter different places that once existed on the streets such as schools, craftsman workshops and more. They can also take a trip down the coal mines or the farm to find out what life was really like!
A really fantastic time is to be had here for all the family. There is even an under 5s area ‘Nuts and Bolts’ where children can role play working in a grocery shop, sit in a train or play with train tracks. Entry to the canal is accessible through the back and is a lovely addition to a wonderful day out. Oh also, admission is free! So what are you waiting for?
Address: Portland Basin Museum, Portland Place, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL7 0QA
Opening times: Wednesday to Sunday – 10am till 3pm (due to COVID), usually 4pm
Admission fee: FREE
Public Transport: The museum is a 15-20 minute walk from Ashton-under-Lyne bus station, train station and the centre of Ashton.
Find out more information here.
(Image from Google)
(image from Google)
(Image from Google)
5. Bolton Art Gallery, Museum & Library
I think I may have saved the best until last.
To say this place is impressive is an understatement. Wow, wow, wow!
This beautiful museum is run by the local Bolton Council and located next to the town hall. It boasts 3 floors of fun for the whole family. Some of the amazing things this fantastic building holds is a museum about the history of Bolton, an ancient Egypt Gallery with artefacts, (great for kids with a video to watch), art gallery, picturesque story telling room, and Greater Manchester’s only aquarium which is in the basement and has an impressive collection of fish. Probably my favourite part. (I loved the Stingray). The staff there are all so friendly, helpful and genuinely want to teach you more. Did I forget to mention it is free? Get yourselves down there asap! You could easily spend 1-2 hours here, depending on what interests your child.
Address: Le Mans Crescent, Bolton, Greater Manchester BL1 1SE England
Opening times: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat – 9am till 5pm, Weds – 9:30am till 5pm, Sunday – 10am till 4pm
Admission: FREE
Public Transport: The museum is a 3 min walk from Law Courts bus stop, and an 18 minute walk from Bolton train station.
Parking tips: Parking can be busy by the town hall, but there are plenty of NCP car parks close by.
Find out more about the museum here.
These are all certainly fun things to do in Manchester. Will you be visiting any of these places?
Don’t forget you can always drop me a message on Instagram at @zoe.upnorth