Things to do with kids in Greater Manchester this half term and Halloween

Issues could be a bit completely different this half time period and Halloween, however there’s nonetheless loads of enjoyable available throughout Higher Manchester.

Whether or not you are eager to remain outside, or wish to head inside someplace a bit hotter, there’s something for everybody to take pleasure in.

From pumpkin choosing down on the farm to a drive-in cinema and a Haunted Home escape room, we have been looking at among the greatest occasions and days out for households with youngsters of all ages.

Check out what’s occurring in and round Higher Manchester this October half time period and Halloween

Pumpkin patches

Choose your individual pumpkin patches have grow to be massively in style over latest years and there are a lot to select from.

Most of the venues produce other Halloween themed enjoyable to take pleasure in whilst you’re there too.

Cockfields Farm in Ashton is holding its annual Pumpkin Pageant, the place in addition to choosing your individual pumpkin, guests can carve them within the outside carving space, cuddle the small animals, be part of within the Halloween Treasure Hunt and hand feed the barn animals, in addition to having fun with limitless rides on the fairground carousel.

Pumpkin choosing at Cockfields Pumpkin Pageant in Ashton

Smithills Farm in Bolton has pumpkin choosing, a spooky candy hunt, fancy costume and a Halloween decorations.

And at Lancaster Park and Animal Farm in Oldham there is a large pumpkin patch, a haunted home and guests can take pleasure in different themed actions together with listening to a spooky story with a depraved witch, having images taken with large spooky Halloween characters and getting into the flamboyant costume competitions.

On prime of the Halloween actions, guests can pet and feed the small animals, journey the caterpillar barrel journey (climate dependent) drive mini quads on the Rooster Rally, dig the sand pit at Digger Nook, play on the Pirate Shootout, and have a go on swings, slides and zip strains on the parks.

To seek out out extra and see different locations providing pumpkin choosing this 12 months, see our article right here.

Lancaster Park and Animal Farm in Oldham
(Picture: Manchester Night Information)

Completely Grotesque, Tameside

The workforce behind the summer time’s in style Completely Roarsome outside journey path are again with a spooky occasion for Halloween.

Geared toward main aged kids, the socially distanced Halloween attraction provides households 5 minutes to crack the code in every of the 10 themed rooms.

(Picture: Completely Grotesque)

Described as ‘a youngsters’ model of breakout rooms crossed with the Crystal Maze’, the 10 themed rooms embody Day of the Useless, Grotesque Dinosaurs, Spiders Cave, Egyptian Tomb, Outer Area, Drac and Frank’s Lair, Clown Graveyard, Twisted Circus, Medieval Eating Room and Witches Forest.

As much as six folks from one family or bubble are allowed in every room at strict five-minute intervals – with a visitors mild system stopping anybody from strolling into your room whilst you’re nonetheless inside.

In every room is a query to reply or a puzzle to resolve. The reply will at all times be a letter and as soon as you have acquired all of them, you may have to rearrange them to seek out the Halloween themed phrase.

The attraction – operating till November 1 – lasts for 55 minutes and relies contained in the Previous Metro Cinema, in Delamere Avenue, Ashton-under-Lyne.

Tickets price £7 per particular person, which features a group {photograph} on the finish.

See the Fb web page for extra particulars, or go to the web site right here to e book tickets.

(Picture: Completely Grotesque)

Halloween within the Metropolis

Big inflatable monsters are as soon as once more taking up the rooftops of Manchester as Halloween within the Metropolis returns.

Launched as a single set of tentacles snaking from the roof of Home of Fraser in 2017, the creepy characters have multiplied through the years to kind a path between among the metropolis’s best-known landmarks.

Guests can spot them on the Arndale, Spinningfields, The Printworks, Selfridges, the Nice Northern Warehouse, Moda Angel Gardens and 111 Piccadilly from October 26 to November 1.

(Picture: Carl Sukonik)

ScareCity

A drive-in cinema has arrived in Trafford this Halloween, with a terrifying twist.

ScareCity is screening among the greatest horror movies of all time, with the frights beginning effectively earlier than the opening credit.

Ticket-holders get to drive by means of a chilling ‘scare tunnel’ to get in, passing by means of a duplicate graveyard. Reside actors add to the joys of the occasions, with horror props and photograph alternatives aplenty.

As effectively movies for adults and youths, together with the likes of the Blair Witch Challenge, The Exorcist and Scary Film, there are family-friendly screenings at noon on the weekends, with movies together with Coraline, Coco, and Hocus Pocus.

The reside actors are nonetheless there, however a child-friendlier model to verify kids aren’t too terrified.

ScareCity is at EventCity from now till November 1. Tickets price £35 per car and might be bought right here.

ScareCity
(Picture: Manchester Night Information)

Knowsley Safari

There’s masses occurring at Knowsley Safari this October half time period, an attraction which has been praised by Manchester households for providing a secure day trip through the pandemic.

Guests can benefit from the Safari Drive and see the lions, rhino, bison, moose, camels, uncommon deer and extra roaming within the open area.

And on the Foot Safari, which additionally hosts a scarecrow path for half time period, you’ll be able to see Amur tiger sisters Sinda and Bira, in addition to the resident Iberian wolf cubs with their dad and mom Morena and Carlos.

Knowsley Safari
(Picture: Manchester Night Information)

The Flight of Talons fowl of prey show is again too, permitting guests to study a variety of birds together with eagles, vultures, owls and falcons as they swoop simply inches out of your head.

Kids aged eight to 10 can e book on particular Halloween Intrepid Explorer classes, providing a full day of enjoyable with animal video games, crafts and actions.

Locations price £30 for the day (£27 for members) and every youngster will get to make a Halloween deal with for one of many Safari’s animals and go to all of the others through the day.

These are operating from Monday, October 26 to Sunday, November 1.

Safari park tickets price £54 for a household of 4 and should be booked on-line upfront.

(Picture: Manchester Night Information)

Science and Business Museum

The museum has been again open for 2 months now, welcoming hundreds of holiday makers by means of its doorways.

There’s plenty of enjoyable in retailer this half time period together with the return of the much-loved Air and Area Corridor, which is reopening on Saturday, October 24 for the primary time since March, giving guests the chance to see the vehicles, motorbikes and aeroplanes that acquired industrial Manchester transferring.

The much-loved Air and Area Corridor reopens on Saturday, October 24
(Picture: Manchester Night Information)

Guests also can play and discover within the interactive gallery Experiment, uncover among the unbelievable tales behind the museum’s historic web site within the Textiles Gallery and uncover the Revolution Manchester Gallery, the place a really early Rolls-Royce motor automotive, made in Manchester and pushed by Henry Royce himself, is on show alongside Child, the primary pc capable of retailer and run packages.

Professional ‘Explainers’ will even be available to unravel the secrets and techniques of science in a collection of Science Stops, and households also can take a look at the museum’s main exhibition, The Solar, which is now included within the free admission ticket.

Since reopening in August, the museum has been closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, however can be reopening for your entire half time period week, together with Monday, October 26 and Tuesday, October 27, between 10am and 5pm.

Guests are nonetheless required to e book a free ticket earlier than their go to. Tickets might be booked by means of the museum web site right here, or by calling 0800 047 8124.

The Solar is now included within the free admission ticket
(Picture: Manchester Night Information)

MoviESCAPE, Haunted Home

MoviESCAPE was based by members of the movie business again in 2016 and presents a spread of escape rooms inside Stockport’s Welkin Mill.

Merlin’s Magic Academy is the preferred problem for households with youthful kids, age eight plus, impressed by the likes of Harry Potter, BBC’s Merlin and The Worst Witch.

(Picture: Manchester Night Information)

Older ones, 12 and above, can check out the brand new Haunted Home II: Demon’s Curse, which ‘combines conventional escape room challenges with an immersive and interactive new horror expertise’.

The attraction has made a lot of adjustments to make it safer for households to go to through the present pandemic.

There are staggered slot instances to stop massive teams from congregating within the corridors, just one group is in every room and the rooms are cleaned in between every teams, with moveable objects disinfected.

Tickets price £25 per particular person, or £70 for a household and there are common presents and promotions on the Fb web page right here. Go to the web site to e book.

Haunted Home II: Demon’s Curse is the most recent addition to MoviESCAPE
(Picture: Manchester Night Information)

Brick or Deal with, Legoland Discovery Centre Manchester

There’s a great deal of Halloween enjoyable available at Legoland’s Brick or Deal with occasion this half time period.

Youngsters can construct their very own pumpkin creation and add them to the Corridor of Fame Pumpkin Patch for the prospect to win prizes, get suggestions from the grasp mannequin builders and be part of within the scavenger hunt.

Tickets give entry to 2 rides, the Lego construct and play zones and the 4D cinema.

There will be socially distanced meet and greets with Halloween hero Lego characters too.

The occasion is operating from now till November 1. To e book tickets, from £13.50 per youngster, go to the web site right here.

(Picture: Manchester Night Information)

Ascarium, Sea Life

Sea Life is taking over a spooky twist this half time period because the venue is reworked into an Ascarium.

Households are invited to observe the immersive path by means of the location to seek out lacking potion substances hidden all through shows of the creepiest creatures of the deep, in addition to a number of of the extra charming ocean dwellers, resembling seahorses, rays and Clownfish.

When you’ve noticed all the lacking objects, see should you can remedy the riddle on the finish of the path to finish the spell for the Sea Life sea witch – and declare your free Cadbury reward.

The occasion is operating from now till November 1, with tickets from £9.95.

Halloween night classes are additionally operating on October 30 and 31, for guests to get a uncommon likelihood to marvel at the actual life mermaids (with a spooky Halloween twist) as they be part of the ocean turtles, rays and sharks contained in the ocean tank. Halloween fancy costume is inspired.

These classes run from 5pm to 8pm, final admission 7pm, and tickets price £16.95 for youngsters and £21.95 for adults. E book on-line.

(Picture: Manchester Night Information)

Dippy the dinosaur, Rochdale

It has been postponed as soon as amid the pandemic however Dippy the Dinosaur is again in all his glory and able to be considered this half time period.

The massive diplodocus skeleton is on show at Quantity One Riverside in Rochdale and free for guests to entry.

No reserving is required for people and small teams, however if you wish to go to the accompanying Dippy Exhibition at close by Touchstones Museum and Artwork Gallery then it’s essential e book right here.

The exhibition at Touchstones is being delivered to life by actors so guests do not have to the touch something
(Picture: Manchester Night Information)

In response to the pandemic, the exhibition has reopened with a model new – socially distanced – narrated guided tour led by time travelling scientists.

It means folks can work together with the exhibition with out having to the touch something as a result of it is delivered to life by the actors. And people on the tour have their very own little areas to face in.

Each the show and exhibition have been prolonged till December 12 to present folks extra time to benefit from the large dino. The venues are additionally opening Sundays between 10am and 4pm.

For extra particulars go to the web site right here.

Dippy went on show to the general public on Monday
(Picture: alan hamer)

Chill Factore

In the event you fancy one thing that is not Halloween themed this half time period then why not take a look at Chill Factore, the place there is a £15 early fowl supply operating on the in style Snow Park.

With 4 lanes to race down, the entire household can go face to face on the downhill donuts, or whizz down the actual snow slope on sledges.

For individuals who already know the best way to ski or snowboard, they will check out the brand new Erik’s Path problem.

The brand new Erik’s Path for skiers and snowboarders
(Picture: Manchester Night Information)

That includes a mixture of arches, gates, limbo, high-fives and small ride-on containers that can change every day, friends can weave and whizz down the slope in a novel means.

Junior Elevate Passes are discounted to simply £15 for an hour, £20 for 2 hours and £25 for 4 hours and are legitimate for Erik’s Path.

Passes should be booked on-line and the course can be obtainable from Monday, October 26 to Wednesday, October 28, 12midday to 4pm.

The entire household can go face to face
(Picture: Manchester Night Information)

Dino Falls Journey Golf

For extra half time period enjoyable with out the spooks – effectively, aside from the scary dinosaurs that’s – you’ll be able to head to Dino Falls Journey Golf.

The attraction, primarily based in conjunction with the M60 close to the Trafford Centre, launched its second 18-hole course, that includes a six-metre walk-through spouting volcano, on the finish of final 12 months – only a few months earlier than coronavirus took maintain.

It is the most important journey golf attraction outdoors of London and options all the things from a Tyrannosaurus Rex and child Triceratops to Velociraptors and a Diplodocus.

Prospects can select to play the unique Rapids course or check out the Volcano course. A household ticket prices £24 (two adults, two kids) for one course. Grownup tickets are £8, beneath 16s and seniors or college students £6.

There is a particular supply operating for Halloween the place kids carrying fancy costume can play totally free on Saturday, October 31. Tickets should be booked on-line.

Dino Falls Journey Golf
(Picture: Manchester Night Information)

Ghost Trains at East Lancashire Railway

The Halloween Ghost Trains are again at East Lancashire Railway and promising ‘a fantastically horrifying expertise’.

Guests will be capable of take pleasure in a spooktacular steam practice journey from Bury to Irwell Vale and again between October 29 and 31.

(Picture: East Lancashire Railway)

So as to add to the enjoyable this 12 months there will be a socially distanced meet and greet with some spooky Halloween characters who can be completely happy to share their terrifying tales.

The leisure can be completely different than in earlier years to satisfy Covid pointers so there will be extra station primarily based interplay than on board the practice itself.

Households are inspired to reach in loads of time to benefit from the station and meet and greet alternatives previous to boarding.

Tickets are from £11.90 for youngsters, aged three to 17, and from £16.90 for adults. For extra info and to e book, go to the web site right here.

(Picture: East Lancashire Railway)

Huge wheel and Upside Down Home, Trafford Centre

The large wheel is again on the Trafford Centre this half time period.

Households can journey from 10am every day with tickets costing £6 per youngster, £7.50 per grownup or £22 for a household.

The wheel is outdoors the Nice Corridor, the place it is going to keep till January 3.

Upside Down Home
(Picture: Manchester Night Information)

Whilst you’re there you can take a look at the Upside Down Home, which has been given a spooky makeover for Halloween.

The ‘frightful haunted home’ expertise is on the market from now till November 1.

Tickets price £four per particular person mid-week and £5 at weekends.

(Picture: Manchester Night Information)

Bolton Central Library and Museum

There’s tons to discover at Bolton Central Library and Museum throughout half time period.

There are spooky Halloween trails to affix in, or you can take the children to discover the Egypt exhibition, or the venue’s aquarium, which is residence to unique fish, creatures and wildlife from all around the world, together with flesh consuming piranhas from South America.

Half time period occasions run from Monday, October 26 to Saturday, October 31.

Elsewhere in Bolton you can make a journey to Corridor i’ th’ Wooden Museum, open Tuesdays 10am to 4pm and Saturdays 12pm to 4pm, or Smithills Corridor – open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 10am to 4pm and Sunday 12pm to 4pm.

It’s free admission to each halls. If you’re visiting Smithills Corridor please prebook an advance timed slot to reach right here or name 01204 332853.

Smithills Corridor
(Picture: Manchester Night Information.)

Pumpkin portray and scarecrow path at Ordsall Corridor

There are a number of occasions that may seize your fancy within the spooky environment of Ordsall Corridor this half time period.

There is a Pumpkin Portray Workshop, for ages seven plus, the place kids get to color an actual pumpkin with acrylic paints in quite a lot of designs.

Two-hour classes, costing £10 per particular person, are at both 11.30am or 2pm on October 25 and should be booked on-line.

Pumpkin portray at Ordsall Corridor
(Picture: Manchester Night Information)

Working all through half time period is a scarecrow path.

Households have round 30 minutes to seek out 10 scarecrows hidden within the gardens and write down or draw what every scarecrow has chosen to embellish themselves with.

Tickets price £2 every and slots might be booked for numerous instances all through the day from Sunday, October 25 to Thursday, October 29 after which November 1.

There will be some tasty Halloween themed treats on the market within the cafe and you can lengthen your keep by pre-booking a stewarded Spooky Tour of the Corridor to listen to extra tales concerning the haunted historical past of Ordsall Corridor and the legends and myths round Witchcraft.

Scarecrow path at Ordsall Corridor
(Picture: Manchester Night Information)

Story Seekers, Imperial Warfare Museum North

The conflict museum is asking for younger adventurers to go alongside this half time period and discover out the tales behind its collections.

Your loved ones can uncover actual artefacts and discover transferring and shocking tales from individuals who braved shark-infested waters to ingenious nurses and people who constructed machines of battle.

The venue provides households an opportunity to be taught collectively concerning the world impression of battle from the First World Warfare and Second World Warfare to right this moment.

The drop-in occasion runs 10am to 4pm day by day from Saturday 24 October, 24 to Sunday, November 1. E book your free ticket to the museum right here.

Story Seekers at Imperial Warfare Museum North
(Picture: Manchester Night Information)

Play Factore

The gentle play could be closed for now however there’s nonetheless enjoyable available at Play Factore.

Youngsters can check out the model new Valo Bounce – an interactive trampoline gaming platform – the refurbished Star Wars themed laser tag and benefit from the arcade video games, which at the moment are all included within the ticket worth.

Valo Bounce at Play Factore
(Picture: Manchester Night Information)

Adults and youngsters aged 11 and over are required to put on a face protecting, besides when consuming or ingesting on the desk.

There are not any amenities for beneath fives whereas the gentle play is shut.

Tickets, for two-hour classes, price £1.95 for adults and £9.95 for youngsters aged 5 to 16. E book on-line.

Star Wars themed laser tag at Play Factore
(Picture: Manchester Night Information)

Halloween Xplorer Path, Moss Financial institution Park

Ghost hunters are wished to trace down the creepy creatures lurking within the woods, gardens and enjoying fields at Bolton’s Moss Financial institution Park this half time period.

The Halloween Xplorer Path is going down at The Hive from now till November 1.

Maps of earlier spooky sightings can be supplied to every ghost hunter to assist them full their mission. With all of the creatures discovered and recorded, the intrepid hunters will earn themselves a certificates and sticker in addition to a cup of scorching chocolate.

The path, operating between 11am and 3pm, is beneficial for households with kids eight or beneath. Tickets price simply £Three per pack and there is not any cost for adults or kids beneath 18 months. E book on-line or you’ll be able to bought immediately from the cafe in Moss Financial institution Park on the day for £3.50.

There will be Halloween themed markers positioned all through the park and the path takes 30 to 45 minutes on common, longer should you take a break. Discover out extra right here.

Halloween Xplorer Path at Moss Financial institution Park
(Picture: Manchester Night Information)

Scarecrow Path at Stretford Mall

Trick or treating could be off the playing cards this Halloween, however there’s a spooktacular scarecrow path heading to Stretford Mall so households can get their frightful repair whereas they store.

Retailers, cafes and eating places have created their very own scarecrows, which can be popping up across the mall from October 26.

Customers can accumulate a Scarecrow Path map from taking part retailers in change for a donation to Stretford Foodbank after which discover the mall whereas they store, trying to find Scarecrows.

As soon as they’ve acquired a ‘Scarecrow full home’ they will submit their path map into the Halloween Submit Field to be in with an opportunity of successful a spread of prizes.

There will even be spot prizes for all kids who full the Scarecrow path in costume.