Manchester - kids fun activities ideas please?

[anotherdaytoday76]

I'm hoping some Manchester locals might be able to help please!

We have booked the Etihad stadium tour as part of my son's birthday present at half term but as we live a long drive away will be coming by car to Manchester the day before.

We should get to Manchester (staying at the Piccadilly Premier Inn) by about 2pm (ish) and it would be really good to have an activity to do with the kids after they've sat in the car for so long. They are boys, aged 9 and 11.

Do wise mumsnetters have any recommendations please? Ideally easy to get to from the hotel and things that work for just a few hours in the afternoon?

We are also thinking to maybe go to China Town for dinner unless anyone has recommendations for any other quirky dinner ideas that they'd like! Specific Chinese restaurant recommendations also welcome!

I've been googling but don't have much time at the moment so hoping some local knowledge might help.

Thank you for any ideas!!

Mayfield Park for a breather?
https://www.visitmanchester.com/things-to-see-and-do/mayfield-park-p697181

National football museum in Manchester.

https://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/

Museum of science and industry with boys that age, for sure.

You could also pop to Castlefield en route to see the ruins.

I'll start looking at these, thank you.

Football museum may be out as although my 8 (soon to be 9) year old loves football, the 10 year old doesn't! He's humouring us by coming along! 😂.

Science museum might be good. Is that east to get to from Manchester Piccadilly?

Are there any activities like lazer quest or that sort of thing (I guess not in the middle of a city!). I definitely need to get them a bit active after being in the car ages.

Science museum - yes, just hop on the tram to Deansgate Castlefield (about 2 stops) and a 3 minute walk.
https://www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk/

My DS enjoyed Junkyard golf at that age.

www.junkyardgolfclub.co.uk/manchester?gclid=Cj0KCQjw0vWnBhC6ARIsAJpJM6cY3ZWe9J1PflLtKphW9Y2IAP50tIiyUoB4TkVIc98sIM8OnRCPlZUaAl0mEALw_wcB

He also loved Sakku Samba restaurant. It's got insta worthy photo ops and you order food via an iPad. I liked that it was a fixed price plus drinks and he could go wild with it. This was a special treat dinner, rather than meal as part of a holiday.

sakkusamba.co.uk

There's an immersive gaming experience in the Arndale centre that they might enjoy. My boys did squid game and had a great time. The Arndale is just off Piccadilly.
https://immersivegamebox.com/en-GB/venues/arn-manchester-arndale?gclid=Cj0KCQjw0vWnBhC6ARIsAJpJM6cRmBeg1L_4h3BHNUr8dbWJGqzDrkt0efbC8WKUVGiKQxuCPIljH5MaAnYEEALw_wcB&utm_campaign=generic&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google

You can get the metrolink to the Trafford Centre, which has a laser quest etc. Also nearby Play Factore which is like a giant soft play for older kids, with a laser tag in it.

Rather than getting to hotel for 2pm, since you are coming by car, I would stop off at one if the more suitable destinations just outside the centre for a few hours and then get to hotel for 5pm instead.

You could stop at:

Play Factore (giant play area with laser quest) or Chill Factor (indoor skiing/snowboarding) - both by Trafford centre

Ninja warrior (near Wigan) or there is another ninja place a bit closer in Salford (forgot the name).

Zipworld at Heaton park (zipwire/tree tops place in huge park)

If they like mountain biking or bmxing or skateboarding there is a place called greystokes in Salford where they can rent a bike and do jumps etc. It's indoor so good if raining. They have trampolines too.

The city centre is great but for letting off steam for energetic kids is a bit limited.

Amazing ideas, thanks so much everyone.

I wish we were staying an extra night now!

My DS (11) also loves Junkyard golf, the science museum and Mayfield Park. If your boys like pokemon/amine then they will enjoy looking round Forbidden Planet and Afflecks Palace.