Help me plan graduation day in Manchester …

[rootsandwings89]

I am finishing my degree this year with open university and am looking forward to the graduation ceremony in Manchester in October

I want my DH And 2 c DC’s (10 and 5) there on the day, the ceremony is at 10:30 and will probably finish around 1:30/2pm. I’d like to do something else that’s special but that I can also bring the kids to. I was thinking about a show but I don’t think there’s much on at palace theatre :(

So i’m looking for ideas On how we could spend the afternoon/evening. If anyone has suggestions please let me know, I’m fairly new to the area and don’t know Manchester all that well!

congratulations!
the Manchester museums are fab especially the science museum. If the weather is nice, the high line is lovely too.
Food wise, I love China town (at least this is where we go with friends) or maybe Mackie Mayor or Frieght Island appeal? Maybe an afternoon tea at one of the sky bars (check ages!)

Congratulations on your degree. It’s usual to only get 2 tickets to a graduation ceremony so I’d check.
The ceremony is long and boring even for adults and not child friendly at all. There haven’t been any young children at any that I’ve attended.
Might be an idea to celebrate another time and get childcare if you can but your choice.

Check the arrangements re extra tickets, we didn’t know if there was enough extra until 2 weeks out. On the positive side I’ve never know a ceremony that long, I suspect that includes other things.

What’s your subject? It might be nice if you could do something related to that - so your children gain a strong and memorable impression of the connection between academic study and real world application.

I actually think you might all be a bit too tired for a separate event after the ceremony - and you’ll need to eat too, but maybe the next day you could take them to Imperial War Museum North? (Bearing in mind it will be dark by 4-ish in October.) Take the tram from St Peter’s Sq to Salford Quays (splendid journey for children!) then walk along the canal and over the bridge at the Lowry to the museum.

And yes, it’s possible you may not get enough tickets for all of your family - sometimes there’s somewhere extra guests can watch a livestream of the event.

I would have thought that after a morning sat down watching a graduation , your dc might like an active afternoon

Manchester Art Gallery is fabulous, and the Clore Gallery has a great area where children can play with copies of art works, and dress up as characters from paintings in the collections. The cage is nice - not fancy, but nice for families as it's very informal.

Are you sure you can get tickets to the graduation congregation for your DC? It's usually not possible, as most graduands are limited to at most 2 tickets. You should check about this.

For those querying, the OU website says you can have up to 4 guests...

Not attended an OU one. 4 is unusual.
Reading that with all the bold type it doesn’t sound very child friendly, which they aren’t, and you wouldn’t expect them to be.
The big moment is very brief so consider that your DH could miss this if he had to leave with the children for the toilet for e.g. Totally your choice of course. Hope you have a lovely day.

Actually I misread the screenshot above and it doesn't say how many tickets sorry. But certainly no mention of a max 2.

I knew it already, but I continue to be utterly outraged that universities now charge for tickets for graduation ceremonies!

Congratulations, OP! Manchester is a surprisingly vibrant city and I enjoy visiting.

But the ceremony sounds awfully long for your DC, particularly the 5 yo. With the best will and planning in the world, it is very easy to imagine much that could go wrong. Is there any chance you could bring someone, say an older teenager or young adult you trust, to take your DC for some kid friendly activities during the ceremony?

DH could video the presentation of your diploma and anything else they might enjoy, and both of you could relax. The DC could enjoy a (relatively inexpensive) lunch geared to their young tastebuds, that might not comport with your idea of a celebration!

The Museum of Science and Industry is fantastic and has some excellent exhibitions for children, and the Clore Gallery in @ParmaVioletTea ‘s post sounds like a lot of fun. If this thread doesn’t turn up more ideas I would be glad to ask Mancunian friends on your behalf.

Congratulations, OP!

To echo others, the Museum of Science and Industry is excellent, as is Imperial War Museum North. Would also recommend the Manchester Museum of Illusions or Urban Playground. Some friends went to the Immersive Gamebox during the Easter holiday and had a great time, but can’t recommend that one personally as I haven’t been.

Whatever you decide, I hope you have a lovely day.