You can go on a tour of CBBC at Media City on Salford Quays We took dc - 8 and 10 - and they loved it. It's about an hour and a half long and £25 for a family ticket. The children get to 'present' Newsround in a sort of mock up studio (some Horrible Histories stuff there too), see some studios, 'present' CBBC links (both presenting things are inside the studios but mock ups rather than the real thing) and visit the Blue Peter set at the end (real thing - no sitting on the seats there!).
Would recommend for children who like CBBC and easy to combine with War Museum/Lowry.