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 October 2026, 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/

2, 16 October 2026, 14.30 – 16.00
Experitots is a regular event specially designed for children aged 0–4.
During these playful sessions, toddlers and their adults are encouraged to explore and experiment together. Our team of friendly Explainers are on hand to support young explorers throughout the event.
This season Experitots sessions will take place in our Special Exhibitions Gallery, where you can enjoy a multi-sensory adventure with Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos.
Tickets: £10, ages 3 and under free
Location: Special Exhibitions Gallery
Level -1, New Warehouse
Science and Industry Museum
Liverpool Road, Manchester M3 4FP
tel: 033 0058 0058
www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk

2 October 2026, 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

2, 9, 16, 23 October 2026, 4.15pm – 5pm
Lego Club
Bring your little ones for LEGO Club, where they’ll be able to play with all the available LEGO and build whatever they like!
Requirements: parents need to stay and supervise their children throughout the session.
Suitable for all the family
Free, booking required
Z-arts
335 Stretford Road, Hulme
Manchester M15 5ZA
Tel: 0161 226 1912
www.z-arts.org

3 October 2026, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Lego Club | Manchester Central Library
Do you love Lego? So do we! Drop in, pick your favourite bricks and build anything that takes your fancy. From castles to spaceships, the possibilities are endless! No need to book in advance. First come first served.
Suitable for ages 4 and above
Free, drop-in
Manchester Central Library
Saint Peter’s Square, Manchester M2 5PD
www.librarylive.co.uk/event/lego-club-2

3 – 4 October 2026
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

6, 13, 20, October 2026, 10.30am – 11am
Baby Book Club
This is a great weekly session for parents and carers to introduce their babies to the wonderful world of libraries, books, and storytelling. Expect stories, songs, bubbles, sensory toys, and puppets! A fun and relaxed session especially for non-walking babies and their families.
Suitable for ages 0+
Free, booking required
Z-arts Library
335 Stretford Road, Hulme
Manchester M15 5ZA
Tel: 0161 226 1912
www.z-arts.org

8 October 2026, 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

9 October 2026, 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/

10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 27-31 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!
Pumpkins start from £2. Farm and parkland entry tickets must be purchased to enjoy the pumpkin patch.
Tatton Park
Knutsford, Cheshire
Tel: 01625 374400
www.tattonpark.org.uk

17 October 2026, 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/

24 October 2026, 5pm – 9pm
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

24, 25, 27 October – 1 November 2026, 10am – 4pm (last entry 3pm)
Skellies and Wellies in the gardens
Step into 50 acres of autumnal gardens where 8 hilarious and haunting skeleton displays are waiting to surprise and delight. Each skeleton scene will tickle your funny bone. Can you find them all?
Standard garden and parkland entry apply
Tatton Park
Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6QN (Sat Nav WA16 6SG)
Tel: 01625 374400
www.tattonpark.org.uk

25 October 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Sensory 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/sensorymornings

29 – 31 October 2026, 10.30am – 12.00pm, 1.30pm – 3.00pm
Myth, Magic and Mystery at the Old Hall
Explore the superstitions and traditions associated with Halloween, as well as other spooky myths and legends throughout history. Have a go at brewing a potion and learn what gruesome ingredients were used for medicines in the past.
Dress for the outdoors
Age recommended: 7-11 years old; children must be accompanied by at least 1 adult, and everyone must purchase a ticket
Price: £15 per person. Includes vehicle parkland entry
Tatton Park
Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6QN
Tel: 01625 374400
www.tattonpark.org.uk

29, 30 October 2026
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

29 – 31 October 2026
Halloween Ghost Trains
Board the Scream Train and solve the mystery of the Swamp Monster of Irwell Vale!
Something VERY strange is happening along the tracks of the East Lancashire Railway this Halloween… For weeks, people have reported hearing strange splashing, deep growling and terrifying screams coming from the dark waters and misty fields around Irwell Vale.
Then came the sightings… A huge, shadowy creature has been seen creeping through the swamp… leaving behind giant footprints, dripping slime and a trail of destruction.
The locals are calling it… THE SWAMP MONSTER OF IRWELL VALE!
Join ZOMBIE BOB and his friendly MONSTER SQUAD as they attempt to discover the truth. Is there really a Swamp Thing out there, or is someone playing a spooky Halloween Trick.
The East Lancashire Railway
Bury Bolton Street Station,
Bolton Street, Bury, Lancashire BL9 0EY
Tel: 0161 764 7790
www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

30 October 2026, 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

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(for Manchester & Cheshire area, please)