Things to do in Manchester with 3 children aged 9, 7 and 4

[Clementine1]

We are going to Manchester for a week and would like people to recommend where we can go. We will have a car and can travel within reason - a swimming pool is also on our list to go to but when I google loads come up so would someone be able to recommend a good childrens pool maybe with slides or some sort of childrens facilities.

We are staying in city centre beside Arndale Centre. Thanks.

My boys love the Museum of Science and Industry: plenty for a whole day there.

They also enjoy just going for a ride on the trams (!)

We went to the Lowry: the gallery wasn't particularly family-friendly, but we booked a workshop where they made some photo frames or something, which was fun.

The top floor of the City Art Gallery is fantastic - very hands-on for children.

How old are your children? When are you going?

the manchester museum is good too.. and you are not too far from liverpool where the world museum is and there is a planetarium there. imax cinema at the printworks in manchester city centre too.

there is a ski place where you can go skiing, sledging and snow play, near the trafford centre..but v v v v expensive !

9, 7 and 4 and we are going 7th July for a week. Staying in Premier Apartments.

I've heard that the ski place is absolutely fantastic too. And it might be quieter that week as the schools haven't broken up yet.

Our bookshops are lousy, so my boys also like visiting the huge bookshop in Manchester too!

Swimming pools?

I didn't think the Snow Place was that expensive - £5 for 30 mins shoudl wear any child out !
Snow play prices and it IS a fab place just to watch everyone else!

There is the Aquatic centre on Oxford Road - walkable from city centre. It did have slides but they may have closed, haven't been for ages. There is a good pool in Stockport, near the station - only 10 minutes by train from Piccadilly.It has slides and a jacuzzi. I would second museum of science and industry. Also City Art gallery has a Charlie and Lola exhibition on at the moment.If you want some countryside go to Tatton Park or Lyme Park. Both have playgrounds - Tatton's is very good.Also Styal Mill is very interesting - cotton mill with working looms.

Aquatic centre, yes. Would you go as far as Chester Zoo? It would take you an hour to drive.

When we lived in that area with DCs of similar age I remember doing a tram trip from Altrincham through Manchester to Bury, where we then took the East Lancs steam railway up to Rawtenstall (?). Also spent several afternoons at the Museum of Science and Industry and at the Manchester Museum. Also a day out at either Styal Mill (with great walks through the woods as well as the visit round the Mill and Apprentice House) or Tatton Park, if you have a car are great. If you want to go further, consider a day in the Peak District - e.g. Buxton/Goyt Valley.