Looking for fun things to do in Manchester this May half term 2026? Whether you’re a local and wondering how to keep the kids busy during the May school holidays or coming from further afar, there’s plenty happening across Manchester to keep everyone entertained. From free museum adventures and outdoor trails to exciting events and family‑friendly attractions, this guide rounds up the best ways to make the most of the May bank holiday and May half term in Manchester — rain or shine.
🐑FAMILY FRIENDLY THINGS TO DO IN MANCHESTER MAY HALF TERM
I’ve broken this list down so you can easily find free things to do in Manchester May half term, outdoor things to do and rainy day activities for the Manchester May half term… but lets hope for sunshine!
This is a bold and immersive exhibition celebrating the rebel spirit, sharp wit, and visual poetry of the world’s most elusive street artist. Expect vibrant colours, subversive messages, and plenty of surprises as you’re drawn deeper into Banksy’s enigmatic world — a perfect experience for curious minds in both adults and children this May half term.
Be quick to get tickets and look out for the family rate ticket to make visiting as a family of 4-6 a bit cheaper (under 6’s go free!)
After you’ve visited, be sure to check out Mayfield Depot park. We went there the other month and it’s an epic park with so much for the kids, and a cafe with amazing takeaway coffee!
Find out more and get your tickets here!
2. Circus at the Farm at Cockfields Farm Park
🗓️ 23rd, 24th, 25th May 2026
One of the top children’s farms in Manchester is Cockfields Farm Park, it’s going to be great to visit all of the May half term however for 3 days they have Circus at the Farm!
On 23, 24 and 25 May 2026, families can see jaw‑dropping circus acts — including juggling, magic, clowns, and incredible illusions — alongside full access to the farm’s animals and the brand‑new Life on the Farm event. With laughter, live performances, and interactive fun for all ages, it’s one of the best things to do in Manchester this May half term for families looking for excitement and adventure.
3. Dino Farm at Reddish Vale Farm
🗓️ 23rd, 24th, 25th May 2026
Another wonderful children’s farm and day out in Manchester for young families is Reddish Vale, this is a great place to visit for all of the holidays but for 3 days you can take your Dino loving child to experience Dino Farm!
On 23rd, 24th & 25 May 2026, at Reddish Vale Farm, you can meet roaring, walking dinosaurs, join baby dino meet‑ups, dig for fossils, and take part in the Golden Dino Egg Hunt. Families can also enjoy all the usual farm favourites too like the animal meet‑and‑greets, pony grooming, tractor rides, and big outdoor play areas. It’s a roaring good day out and one of the most exciting things to do in Manchester this May half term for dinosaur‑loving kids.
4. Smithills Open Farm
A visit to Smithills Open Farm is one of the best things to do in Manchester this May half term with kids. Families can meet and feed friendly animals including lambs, calves, rabbits, and goats, enjoy tractor and donkey rides, and watch exciting demonstrations like milking and falconry shows. With large play areas, picnic spots, and an on‑site café, Smithills Farm offers the perfect mix of hands‑on fun and countryside activities without going out of Manchester!
5. The Joy of Colour at The Whitworth
🗓️ 28th & 29th May 2026 10:30-13:00
Get creative at The Whitworth this May half term for 2 days only with a free, drop in family art and dance session led by Afrocats. Enjoy African and Caribbean‑inspired movement and rhythm before making colourful artworks inspired by nature and Michaela Yearwood‑Dan’s exhibition. A fun, relaxed way for families to move, make, and explore together in Manchester, for free!
6. The Storm Whale Concert at Stoller Hall
🗓️ 23rd & 24th May 2026 11:30-15:00
Enjoy a magical storybook concert of theThe Storm Whale at Stoller Hall this May half term in Manchester. Based on Benji Davies’ beloved book, this heart‑warming story of friendship between a child and a whale comes to life with live music from Children’s Composer‑in‑Residence Paul Rissmann. Perfect for families with children aged 3–7, this illustrated concert blends storytelling, songs, and interactive fun — a magical introduction to live music this May half term.
7. Mission: Mad Hatter Wonderland Quest Age 9+
A brand new interactive adventure has come to Manchester, join the Mad Hatter’s adventure in Manchester this May half term! Step into Wonderland for Mission: Mad Hatter, an interactive experience for children aged 9+ and their grown‑ups. Part scavenger hunt, part escape room, and part digital quest, teams race against time to crack riddles, solve puzzles, and bring the tea party guests back before the tea goes cold. A fun, fast‑paced family challenge this May half term in Manchester.
With group sizes from 3-6 this would be a great way to celebrate your child’s birthday with their friends, something grown up for them but fun and challenging and good for adult too!
8. Bluey’s Big Play at The Lowry
🗓️ 22nd to 31st May 2026
One of the best things to do in Manchester this May half term with kids is catching Bluey’s Big Play at the Lowry’s Lyric Theatre in Salford. Back by popular demand, this Award‑nominated stage show brings Bluey, Bingo, Bandit and Chilli to life through incredible puppetry, lively music, and laugh‑out‑loud family fun. A heart‑warming, high‑energy experience perfect for families looking for half term entertainment in Manchester.
🌳DAYS OUT IN MANCHESTER HALF TERM
This section focuses on mainly outdoor places in Manchester where you can spend good half day or full day out and about.
9. East Lancashire Railway
🗓️ Various Dates
For train loving children this May half term, you can jump on the East Lancashire Railway any day of the holidays and follow one of their hop on, hop off itineraries from Bury, or stay on and enjoy the journey.
But they also have some special themed events on during the Manchester May school holiday like Vintage Vibes on 23rd & 14th May, The Wizarding Adventure on 28th May, The Dino Adventure on 29th May, and Wonderland Adventure on 31st May!
10. Dunham Massey Day Out
Dunham Massey is always a great day out in the school holidays and the National Trust put plenty of activities on to give children things to do and look for as you explore the house and gardens.
This May school holiday at Dunham Massey you can explore the grand house which has just opened after the winter, stroll through the deer park and blossom‑filled gardens, or join in with creative crafts, music on the lawn, and family trails put on for the school holidays like Speechly’s House Trail and the Pineapple Post delivery challenge. With picnic spots and cafés to enjoy, it’s the perfect place to relax, explore, and make special memories this May half term near Manchester.
If you think you’ll visit the 7 National Trust sites around Manchester quite regularly, or you want a reason to start visiting them more, you can become a member for a 1 time annual fee and get access to every National Trust site in the country for free after that!
Look into National Trust membership here!
11. Quarry Bank Day Out and Indoor Play
🗓️ 23rd to 31st May 2026
Quarry Bank is a great way to spend a few hours outdoors in Manchester. You can actually visit Quarry Bank for free and I’ve featured how below in my post. But for now, I wanted to highlight one of their May half term activities which is their top floor play space being open from 23rd to 31st May!
This is a great way to let the kids have some indoor play, either to chill out, or to avoid any bad weather. Upstairs in the Mill, little ones can enjoy soft play, giant board games and lively puppet shows. There are daily storytelling sessions at 12pm, 1.30pm and 3pm and craft sessions 11am – 3pm each day.
12. Great Garden Game‑a‑thon RHS Bridgewater
🗓️ 23rd to 31st May 2026
For a full week of family fun this May half term in Manchester, head to RHS Garden Bridgewater for the Great Garden Game‑a‑thon from 23–31 May 2026. Families can enjoy giant garden games, navigate the meadow maze, and learn circus tricks with Circus House. There’s also family board‑game fun, outdoor team challenges, and plenty of space to explore, play, and relax in the beautiful gardens. It’s one of the best things to do with kids in Manchester this May half term, combining nature, play, and creativity in a stunning outdoor setting.
13. Tatton Park
Tatton Park is a great day out and you can really spend a full day here as a family! They have some activities on set dates throughout the May half term like Wildlife Explorers on 28th May where children can explore Tatton Park’s wildlife through bug hunting and pond dipping, and a Family Smartphone Photography Workshop on 29th May where you can join professional photographer, Jane Burkinshaw, for a hands-on photography workshop, which teaches you how to use your phone’s features to the max.
Other than this, there are always things to do and see in Tatton Park. I love the Japanese Gardens at the end of the landscaped gardens which are in full bloom right now! Tatton Park Farm is a great way for kids to see farm yard animals and you can walk to the farm from the main carpark. Tatton Park also has a large adventure playground and in the school holidays there are some food vans and small fairground rides for kids and adults!
14. Into the Wild Bushcraft, Hale
One of my favourite places to take the kids is Into the Wild on the outskirts of Hale. This can’t be under free things to do, as you have to buy a ticket but it’s a very low price because that’s their priority.
Hidden in the woods with features like a 50m zip line, tree nets, climbing frames, mud kitchen and den-building areas designed to get kids off screens and into nature, families can enjoy all-day play with flexible arrival times. They have a small cafe, ice cream, wood-fired pizza, outdoor seating and plenty of space to explore, it’s one of the best family-friendly days out near Manchester for children who love adventure, nature and active outdoor fun.
15. Forest Tubing at Zip World Manchester Heaton Park
🗓️ From 22nd May 2026
A brand new activity is coming to Zip World Manchester which is located inside Heaton Park – Forest Tubing! This is the UK’s longest outdoor tubing slide and perfect for some family friendly fun this Manchester half term with 2 slides weaving and winding through the woodlands of Heaton Park!
You can get unlimited rides for an hour from £17 and it’s good for ages 4+. For more fun things to do in Manchester May half term holiday, check out the other activities at Zip World Manchester such as their full trek treetop adventure and treetop nets for the little ones!
16. Heaton Park Family Fun Fair
🗓️ 22nd to 31st May 2026
Enjoy the family fun at a fun fair at Heaton Park from 22nd to 31st May!
🎨FREE THINGS TO DO IN MANCHESTER HALF TERM
Not everything needs to cost money! Here are some ideas for free things to do in the May school holiday around Manchester!
17. Ripples of Arty Joy at HOME
🗓️ Everyday until 14th June 2026
When you’re in Manchester City centre this half term, be sure to pop into HOME to see a free exhibition – Ripples of Arty Joy! This inspiring showcase brings together artworks by women and young people from communities across Moss Side, Hulme, Gorton, North Manchester and Wythenshawe. Co‑created with local residents through poetry, craft, film, ceramics and sound, the exhibition celebrates creativity, connection and community stories — a meaningful cultural highlight this May half term in Manchester and one of the good free things to do in Manchester may half term whilst in the city!
18. The Manchester Flower Festival
🗓️ 23rd, 24th & 25th May 2026
The Manchester Flower Festival is back transforming the city centre into a vibrant outdoor gallery of colour and creativity! It’s a free event in the City Centre over the bank holiday weekend and one of the free things to do is the Floral Trail. Winding through landmarks, streets, and squares, the trail showcases breathtaking floral installations, living sculptures, and themed displays created by talented local florists and community groups. Perfect for families, photographers, and anyone looking to soak up some spring sunshine, this free event offers a blooming beautiful way to explore Manchester in full May‑time glory.
19. Reuse and Recycle Crafts workshop at Manchester Museum
The Manchester museum is one of the best free things to do in Manchester all year round, but they always have a free activity on during the school holidays and during this half term its a Reuse and Recycle Crafts workshop from Tuesday 26 May 2026 to Friday 29 May 2026 with sessions on at 11am-1pm and 2-4pm.
Inspired by their exhibition Human Natures, the workshop looks at the waste we create and how we can take new approaches to reuse and recycle the things we think we don’t need, a great crafty and educational free workshop for kids aimed at ages 7+.
20. Wythenshawe Park and Farm
Wythenshawe Park is one of the great free things to do in Manchester. Car parking is free, the play area is free, the bike track is free, and, their community farm is free!
Next to their newly done play area is the community farm which is a small but lovely free farm to visit. It’s open from 11:30(ish) to 15:30 everyday.
21. Quarry Bank & Styal Woods
Quarry Bank is part of the National Trust, usually the National Trust charge for their car parks but Quarry Bank Car Park is actually free to park in and you can access a good amount of the grounds nearby for free!
Park in the main car park for free, head through the entrance and then you can either continue straight towards Styal village and woods which are all free to walk around, or you can head left and down the hill to the house, cafe, play area and access some of the gardens.. all for free!
🛝ACTIVITIES TO DO IN MANCHESTER MAY HALF TERM
To finish, I’ve just listed some more ideas activities you can do in Manchester May half term that are open all of the holidays and all year round that you are probably aware of but it’s always nice to have a reminder!
22. Bean and Brush Art Cafe
A great cafe in Sale where you can paint pottery with the kids! Just remember you need to go back and pick it up 1-2 weeks later!
23. Bubble Planet
Bubble Planet, an immersive experience is still in Manchester during the May half term so visit before it goes! And be sure to check out Mayfield Depot play area with the kids afterwards!
24. The Snow Centre
Give snowboarding or skiing a go this May at The Snow Centre in Trafford Park!
25. Inflata Nation
Get a sweat on and wear the kids out at Inflata Nation with its huge ball pits and slides!
26. Total Ninja
This is the UK’s largest indoor ninja obstacle course and air park and its a lot of fun as well as giving everyone a challenge!
27. Treetop Golf
We love a round of mini golf at Treetop Golf at Printworks in Manchester. It pairs well with an evening out with the kids before going for dinner!
28. Dino Falls Golf at Trafford Park
Another fun place to play mini golf this May half term in Manchester is at Dino Falls Adventure Golf in Trafford Park, and its especially great for dino lovers!
29. Science and Industry Museum
The Science Museum is one of the top free things to do in Manchester especially during half term. They have extra activities on as well as their usual exhibitions.
30. Runway Visitor Park
Let the kids get up close to some planes at the Runway Visitor Park. I’m always in awe just how close some of the planes get to the play area, it’s great to see them so close! There’s a good play area, some extra rides during school holidays and you can go inside and see the Concorde!
There’s also so much to do nearby Manchester in the Cheshire, the Lake District, Peak District and North Wales that don’t take long to get to! Check out my other blog posts to help you plan a day out further afield too: