October

Half-term is upon us – a week or two of fun, mayhem, creativity and mischief. It is not all about Halloween though. There are plenty of activities for children at The Lowry in Salford Quays and at Tatton Park in Cheshire. Manchester is ready with family entertainments as always. And there are plenty of classes and events on your doorstep.

2, 9, 16 October, 10.30am for 0–1, 11.30am for 1–2
Babies Playtime
These classes are led by a professional early years practitioner and are an opportunity to have fun, sing, dance and make new friends. Classes last 45 minutes and are free for all. All attendees must book a ticket (including accompanying adult).
Suitable for ages 0 to 1 and 1 to 2.
Free, booking required
The Lowry, Salford Quays. Manchester
Tel: 0333 320 2838
www.thelowry.com

3 October 2025, 10.30am – 2.30pm
Art Baby at Whitworth
Sensory play sessions in the beautiful surroundings of the gallery, especially for non-walking babies and their grown-ups. It is a warm, welcoming and supportive environment where you can meet, play and talk with other parents and carers. These sensory play sessions are also specially designed to help develop your baby’s physical and social skills. With loads of space to crawl and explore, and lots of new things to look at, the gallery is a great place to play and bond with your baby.
The Whitworth,
The University of Manchester,
Oxford Rd, Manchester M15 6ER
Tel: 0161 275 7450
www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/getinvolved/families/artbaby/

3, 10 October, 10.30am – 11.15am, 11.30am – 12.15pm
Little Creatives
Creative session for toddlers and their adults! Includes music making, storytelling, dance and creative play. Sessions are 45 mins, are free for all and all attendees must book a ticket (including accompanying adult).
Suitable for ages 2-5.
Free, booking required
The Lowry, Salford Quays. Manchester
Tel: 0333 320 2838
www.thelowry.com

4 – 5 October
All Aboard For A Day Out With Thomas!
Meet Thomas the Tank Engine™ and his friends, who are waiting to greet you at the East Lancashire Railway! This fun filled day out for all the family includes:
– Rides on Thomas
– Meeting The Fat Controller and some of Thomas friends
– Performances by Rusty and Dusty, Sodor’s cheeky station sweepers
– Unlimited Travel on Steam and Diesel trains
– Thomas Themed Activities in the Imagination Station, including, Tabletop Games, Colouring, Thomas Films
– Re-enactments of classic Thomas stories, including the Troublesome Trucks up to no good
– Magic Shows, Circus Workshops, Face Painting
The East Lancashire Railway
Bury Bolton Street Station,
Bolton Street, Bury, Lancashire BL9 0EY
Tel: 0161 764 7790
www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

5 October 2025, 10 – 11 am
Relaxed Visits to Jodrell Bank
Come to Jodrell Bank for a relaxed start to the day – sound in the exhibition spaces will be at a reduced level and there’ll be a relaxed early showing of the free film ‘Introduction to Jodrell Bank’at 10.15
Prepare for your visit with the handy Familiarisation Guide. You can also get to know the site in advance by reading Jodrell’s Accessibility Statement.
Jodrell Bank Discovery Centrer
The University of Manchester
Macclesfield Cheshire SK11 9DL
Tel: 01477 571 766
Book online: www.jodrellbank.net

5 October, 10am – 4pm
Apple Day
Enjoy a scrumptious Sunday in the Gardens to celebrate the wonderful apple in all its glory!
Join in games and children’s activities, taste delicious apple varieties and children can pick their own fruit of apples and pears from Tatton’s historic orchard.
The Housekeepers Store will be stocking locally-sourced apple juice, ciders, cakes, sauces and more. Also pick up hand-picked apples and seasonal produce, fresh from the orchard and Kitchen Garden (while supplies last).
Tatton Park
Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6QN
Tel: 01625 374400
www.tattonpark.org.uk

10 October 2025, 10.30am – 2.30pm
PLAY days at Whitworth
A space for under 5s and their grown-ups to come together to play, be curious and be creative with simple, open-ended play resources. Whitworth’s School of Creativity space will be packed full of huge tubes and pipes, big boxes, crates, large reels, tyres, and lots more, creating a world of endless possibilities to explore and create.
The Whitworth,
The University of Manchester,
Oxford Rd, Manchester M15 6ER
Tel: 0161 275 7450
www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/getinvolved/families/playdays/

11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26, 28-31 October, 11am – 4pm
The Pumpkin Patch at at the Farm
Come down to the Farm to meet all your Farmyard favourites and then it’s off to search for your perfect pumpkin. You’ll choose your own pumpkin, from our field, so prepare to get your hands dirty! And don’t forget to share your spooky Halloween lantern designs’ pictures with Tutton on social media once you get home!
Tatton Park
Knutsford, Cheshire
Tel: 01625 374400
www.tattonpark.org.uk

17 – 18 October (Halloween themed)
After-hours with the Mermaids
Come and meet the magical SEA LIFE mermaids at SEA LIFE Manchester!
Tickets: £28 adult, £24 child, £5 passholders
Pre-booking is essential
SEA LIFE Manchester,
Trafford Palazzo, Trafford, Manchester M17 8AS
Tel: 0161 749 2875
www.visitsealife.com/manchester/explore/events/after-hours-with-the-mermaids

18 October 2025, 10.30am – 1.30pm
Outdoor Art Club at Whitworth
Play-based outdoor workshops for all the family, but particularly brilliant for two to eight year-olds – encouraging children to play freely while exploring nature.
Wear suitable clothing, waterproofs and wellies, especially during the winter months.
Free, drop-in
The Whitworth,
The University of Manchester,
Oxford Rd, Manchester M15 6ER
Tel: 0161 275 7450
www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/getinvolved/families/outdoorartclub/

25 October 2025 – 4 January 2026 11am – 9pm (last skate 8pm), excluding Christmas Day
Skate under the sun, moon, and stars
Whatever the weather, enjoy the festive season and skate at the new clear roofed ice rink at the enchanting Cathedral Gardens, offering an atmosphere of festivity and fairy tale for couples, families, and groups looking for some fun this winter.
Skating sessions last up to 45 minutes
The Cathedral Gardens,
Manchester, M4 3BG
www.skatemanchester.com

26 October 2025, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Quiet Mornings at Whitworth
Quiet and calm open-ended play sessions for families with additional needs.
There will be open-ended play objects to explore, created by The Sensory Toolkit, as well as a creative making activity. The sessions are designed so that children lead the way, moving around in their own time and at their own pace.
Free, drop-in
The Whitworth,
The University of Manchester,
Oxford Rd, Manchester M15 6ER
Tel: 0161 275 7450
www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/getinvolved/families/quietmornings/

27 October, 11am, 12noon for toddlers, 13.45pm, 14.45pm for babies
Music Makers
Monthly music and sensory play sessions for babies and toddlers.
For parents with both baby and toddler, babies may attend toddler sessions. The same does not apply in reverse, as toddlers tend to be more boisterous and we want to keep the baby sessions more relaxed.
Tickets: £5.00, 1 ticket admits 1 child plus accompanying adult
Barbirolli Room,
The Bridgewater Hall,
Lower Mosley Street,
Manchester M2 3WS
Tel: 0161 907 9000
www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk

29 October 2025
The Wizarding Adventure
It’s time to sign up to our spellbinding school of sorcery as you take a wacky and wonderful whistle stop tour of the Wizard Academy and learn to become a master of mystery and magic.
During this magical interactive experience you’ll take lessons in the basics of broomsticks, practice your potion making, be instructed in incantations and learn to tattle and talk with a tawny owl.
For students age 5 – 12 recommended, but anyone is welcome to enrol.
What’s included:
– One return trip from Bury to Rawtenstall hauled by a genuine steam (and spell) powered train
– An approximately two-hour wizarding experience with the region’s most pre-eminent enchanters.
– Wizard themed activities and plenty of photo opportunities.
– Make your day complete with a trip to Bury Transport Museum, sited just across the road from Bury Bolton Street Station.
Food and drink will be available to purchase from our café on Platform 3/4 at Bury Bolton Street Station and from the Rawtenstall Buffet.
The East Lancashire Railway
Bury Bolton Street Station,
Bolton Street, Bury, Lancashire BL9 0EY
Tel: 0161 764 7790
www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

30,31 October – 1 November 2025
Halloween Celebration of the Year of the Bat!
Are you ready for a fang-tastically frightening time on board of a Halloween Ghost Trains? Count Brian the Vampire, his trusted henchman Bogeye and the whole monster squad are just dying to meet you at the East Lancashire Railway to celebrate the Year of the BAT this October! Legendary Monster Hunter Dr Hurtz Von Driver will be waiting to greet you as you arrive, and will share tales of his terrifying adventures before deciding if you have the right stuff to join the Monster Squad. You will then prove your bravery by passing through the Haunted Halloween Walkthrough to reach the Platform. (note, expect some jumpscares). On the platform BE WARNED, unexpected singing and dancing could break out at any moment, led by Vampire Veronica and her groovy ghoulies. Here you will also find a Halloween BBQ offering a range of devilishly delicious treats so that you can make sure you’re fuelled up for the frights.
As soon as your spooky steam train pulls into the Platform you can hop on board and head into the dimming light as you join the terrifying tale of the “Blood Bat of Irwell Vale”. Don’t be too frightened, the Monster Squad will be there to protect you, with returning favourites like Zombie Bob who will make sure you have a FANGSTASTIC time!
The East Lancashire Railway
Bury Bolton Street Station,
Bolton Street, Bury, Lancashire BL9 0EY
Tel: 0161 764 7790
www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

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(for Manchester & Cheshire area, please)