March

Spring is in the air but winter doesn’t want to go away yet.
Here is a selection of outdoor and indoor activities for the whole family. You won’t be bored whatever the weather.

1 March 2026
Sports Day Scarecrow Festival
Visit the Gardens and Farm during February half term and spot sporty scarecrows. There’ll be rowing and throwing, curling and serving, kickflips, backflips, high kicks, and wickets.How many will you find?
Also meet Aunty Mary and the miller and hear them tell their tales at weekends down at the Farm.
Normal Garden and Farm opening times and entry fees apply.
Tatton Park
Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN
Tel: 01625 374400
www.tattonpark.org.uk

3, 10, 17, 24 March 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

5 March 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

6 March 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/

6 March 2026, 10.30am – 11.15am, 11.30am – 12.15pm
Uder 5’s Little Creatives
A weekly 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

6, 13, 20, 27 March 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

7 March 2026, 6 – 8 pm
Astro Night – Kids
Calling all budding young astronomers! You are invited to join Jodrell Bank staff for an unmissable opportunity to get started in astronomy at Jodrell Bank home of the famous Lovell Telescope.
During our fun-packed evening you will enjoy a journey around space in awesome Space Dome and you’ll be able to get hands on with telescopes and binoculars as you learn to navigate the night sky. You’ll also have the opportunity dress up as an astronaut taking your first steps on the moon and make your own comet to take home with you!
Note: observing the night sky is weather permitting
This event is recommended for families with children aged 7 – 13.
Jodrell Bank Discovery Centrer
The University of Manchester
Macclesfield Cheshire SK11 9DL
Tel: 01477 571 766
Book online: www.jodrellbank.net

13 March 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/

13 March 2023, 11am, 12noon for toddlers, 13.45pm, 14.45pm for babies
Music Makers
Monthly music and sensory play sessions for babies and toddlers. Celebrate the magic of Christmas with your little one!
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: £4.00, 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

21 March 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/

27 – 28 March 2026
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

29 March 2026, 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/

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(for Manchester & Cheshire area, please)