Kids' craft workshops and classes near Altrincham & Sale

October 2026

500 Words story-writing workshops (ages 5-11) Trafford Libraries, Altrincham · 10 min 4-5pm: Sale Mon 19, Urmston Tue 20, Altrincham Wed 21, Stretford Thu 22 Oct; drop in, under-8s with an adultFree

Monster Scare Bear bath bomb workshop at Lush Lush, Manchester Arndale · 25 min Date unconfirmed · Hands-on sessions through to Halloween; press your own bath bomb and sculpt a creature from Rainbow Fun soap; times and price not statedUnder £10

Scarecrow Festival & Sally Scarecrow Trail Quarry Bank, Styal · 15 min Daily 10:30am-5pm£10–25

October Half Term at Elizabeth Gaskell's House Elizabeth Gaskell's House, Manchester · 25 min 19 Oct-2 Nov; house open Wed, Thu and Sun 11am-4.30pm (last entry 3pm); drop-in crafts and trails 11am-3pm; ages 4+Under £10

Kids Comic Art Workshop with Rick Eades Oyez Arts, Altrincham · 10 min Saturdays 17, 24 and 31 Oct and 7 Nov, 10-11.30am (7 Nov at OYEZ Arts, Market St)Under £10

Mini Makers (drop-in craft Mondays) Speke Hall, Speke, Liverpool · 45 min Mondays 19 and 26 Oct; 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Nov; 10.30am-12pm at Home Farm restaurant£10–25

Secret Society Skeleton activity People's History Museum, Manchester · 25 min Museum open daily except TuesdaysFree

Saturday LEGO Club at Timperley Library Timperley Library · 10 min Saturdays 11am–12pm. Just turn up; space is limited.Free

Caterpillars baby and toddler group St Mary Magdalene Church, Ashton on Mersey, Ashton upon Mersey · 15 min Tuesdays 1–2.30pm in term time (no session in half-term week)Under £10

Family Drop-In after school at St George’s St George's Church, Altrincham · 10 min Tuesdays 3.30–4.30pm, term time. LEGO, bracelet making, games and a cuppa for grown-ups; aimed at primary-age children.Free

Your Name Here drawing workshop with Sophy Henn Waterstones Altrincham · 10 min Thu 22 Oct, 4pmUnder £10

WayWord Festival (October half-term family programme) Storyhouse, Chester · 55 min Includes free Horrible Hunt 24-25 Oct, storytimes, Aardman Claystations 26 Oct, Oliver Jeffers 28 Oct, Meet The Hatter 31 Oct, Stars and Sto£10–25

Green Libraries Week: Family Eco Craft drop-in (leaf creatures, dried-flower badges, spooky spider plant pots) Bredbury Library, Bredbury, Stockport · 30 min Fri 23 Oct, 2.30-4pm, drop inFree

Calan Gaeaf at Erddig Erddig, Wrexham · 75 min 10am-5pm; wishstones 28-30 Oct 11-3; pumpkin carving (£3) and lanterns Sat 31 Oct 11-3£10–25

Halloween at HOME (family films, The Littlest Yak, free Creativity Corner crafts) HOME, Manchester · 30 min Family strand includes Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom (U), Laika's Wildwood and The Littlest Yak (27-29 Oct); free spider-headdress and enchanted-forest crafts downstairs alongside selected family shows; horror double bills are adults-onlyUnder £10

Green Libraries Week: Saturday craft activities (junk modelling and eco crafts) Trafford Libraries, Altrincham · 10 min Sat 1-2.30pm at libraries across Trafford; just turn upFree

Little Reads Family Day Manchester Central Library, Manchester city centre · 25 min Roughly 10.30am-3pm, times vary by activity; ages 3+Free

Merseyday of the Dead Merseyway & Redrock, Stockport · 25 min Merseyway 12-3pm; Redrock 5-7pm (parade finale)Free

Pressed Flower Pumpkin Decorating Workshop Rufford Old Hall, Rufford, near Ormskirk · 50 min Two sessions: 10am-12.30pm and 1.30-4pm£25+

Tilly & Primrose Artisan Market at Victoria Baths Victoria Baths, Manchester · 30 min Date unconfirmed · Listed 'from 24 Oct'; 80+ stalls, three bookable workshops, tea room; explore the historic bathsUnder £10

Halloween in the City (MCR Monsters weekender) Manchester city centre · 25 min Monster trail runs for eight days; main weekender Sat 24 and Sun 25 OctFree

Monster Mayhem Ball (kids fancy dress) Charlie Park, Atherton · 35 min Sat 24 Oct, 3.15-6pm (a SEN session runs Sun 25 Oct)SEN session Sun 25 Oct£10–25

Little Scare-lings Halloween afternoon tea and potion making Dobbies Garden Centre, Marple · 30 min Date unconfirmed · 24, 25, 29, 30 and 31 Oct; 90-min sessions; ages 3-10; glow-in-the-dark slime potion, decorate a trick-or-treat bag, games; fancy dress prize£10–25

Pumpkin picking and carving sessions at Jersey Girls dairy farm Jersey Girls, Bury · 40 min Date unconfirmed · Daily 24-31 Oct, booked one-hour sessions£10–25

World of Wizardry (20-minute wizarding class) The Ice Cream Farm, Tattenhall, Chester · 55 min Timed 20-minute sessions daily 24-31 Oct; SEN-friendly sessions also runSEN sessionUnder £10

Branching Out: October half-term family art Tate Liverpool + RIBA North · 55 min Daily 10am-4pmFree

Half Term Fun at Chatsworth Farmyard (Halloween crafts, face painting, pumpkin carving) Chatsworth House, Bakewell · 75 min Pumpkin carving until 31 Oct; farmyard last entry 4.30pm; house open until 1 Nov£10–25

National Frightball Museum (Halloween half term) National Football Museum, Manchester · 25 min Sat 24 Oct - Sun 1 Nov, activities 10am-4pm; The Riddler 12pm-2pm£10–25

October Half Term at Harewood (Spells and Sparkles trail, broomstick making, kids free) Harewood House, Leeds · 95 min Gardens and grounds 10am-6pm (last entry 5pm); house closed for Christmas install£10–25

October half term: Aliens have landed Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield, Manchester · 25 min Daily 10am-4pm; animation sessions 10.20-12.20 & 13.20-16.20Free

October Half Term: Myths & Legends Eureka! Science + Discovery, Seacombe, Wirral · 60 min Wed-Fri 10am-3pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm; workshops at 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 1.30, 2.30£10–25

October Half Term: School of Witchcraft & Wizardry Eureka! The National Children's Museum, Halifax · 50 min School of Witchcraft & Wizardry Mon 26 - Fri 30 Oct; Story Postcards 24-25 Oct and 31 Oct-1 Nov£10–25

Spooky fun at RHS Bridgewater (Wicked Plants trail, ZooLab potions, spooky grass heads) RHS Garden Bridgewater, Worsley · 25 min Spooky plants trail daily 24 Oct-1 Nov; ZooLab potion sessions Tue 27 and Wed 28 Oct (£5, book); spooky grass heads drop-in 24, 30, 31 Oct 11am-3pm; spell-bag making 26 and 29 Oct (£3, ages 7+)£10–25

Spooky half term at the National Waterways Museum (free ghost tours, pumpkin trail, crafts, Halloween boat trips) National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port · 45 min Daily 10am–4pm; boat trips 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm£10–25

SUPER Natural: October half term at WWT Martin Mere (willow wands, potions, canoe adventure, pumpkin carving) WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough, Lancashire · 55 min Daily; wand/potion/owl-pellet/silent disco 12–3pm, canoe adventure 1–3pm, pumpkin carving 12–3pm (24–30 Oct), fancy dress comp 1pm Sat 31 Oct£10–25

Wicked Week at Magna (magic show, fizzing potion workshops, spooky inflatables) Magna Science Adventure Centre, Rotherham · 75 min Magic show Mon-Fri 26-30 Oct at 10.30am, 11.45am, 1pm; potion workshops daily 11am-2pm hourly£10–25

Wizarding Wildlife School VIP Experience Blackpool Zoo · 70 min VIP experience starts daily 10:30am£25+

Children's Halloween Craft Day (Be Wild Creative) The Bridgewater, Worsley · 25 min Sun 25 Oct 10.30am-12pm (Eventbrite confirms Sunday); ages 5+, adult stays on siteUnder £10

Cooking Together: Parent & Child Cookery Class Cheshire Cookery School, Altrincham · 10 min Sun 25 Oct, 10am-1pm£25+

Slice to Meet You, Phil Corbett! (comic-making workshop) Waterstones Altrincham · 10 min Sun 25 Oct, 10-11amUnder £10

The Illusion of Life: Kids' Stop Motion Animation Workshop Oyez Arts, Altrincham · 10 min Sun 25 Oct, 10am-1pm; bring a smartphone£10–25

The Illusion of Life: stop-motion animation workshop for kids Oyez Arts, Altrincham · 10 min Sun 25 Oct 10am-1pm at Oyez Arts (WA14 1PF); run by Carson Animation£10–25

Halloween half term at Ordsall Hall (Find the Familiars trail, broomstick, wand and spell-book workshops) Ordsall Hall, Salford · 20 min Trail Sun 25, Mon 26-Thu 29 Oct and Sun 1 Nov (£2 per child, no booking, 10am-4pm Mon-Thu, 11.30am-4pm Sun); broomstick making 26 Oct £3, spell book 27 Oct £1.50, clay faces 28 Oct £3, wand making 29 Oct £3 (bookable)Under £10

Broomstick Making Workshop Ordsall Hall, Salford · 20 min Mon 26 Oct, sessions at 11am, 1pm and 2pm; ages 6+Under £10

Frightfully Fascinating Workshop with Animal Teach Norton Priory Museum & Gardens, Runcorn · 40 min Mon 26 Oct, sessions 10.30am, 12pm and 1.30pm£10–25

Kids Halloween Glass Fusing Workshop GRIT Studios, Stockport · 30 min Mon 26 Oct, 11am-1pmSold out£10–25

Musical Theatre Masterclass (ages 7-12) Palace Theatre, Manchester city centre · 25 min Mon 26 Oct, 10am–4pmSold out£10–25

YO! Spooky Sushi School (kids' Halloween sushi-making class) YO! Sushi, Trafford Park · 15 min Mon 26 Oct 10-11am plus other half-term dates on the booking page; ages 5+; prize for best costume£10–25

Collage Creations (half-term craft) Dunham Massey, Altrincham · 10 min 12-3pm, Mon-FriUnder £10

Half Term Spooky Crafts at North Manchester Libraries Newton Heath, North Manchester · 30 min Mon 26 Newton Heath; Tue 27 North City; Wed 28 Abraham Moss and New Moston; Thu 29 Beswick and Miles Platting; Fri 30 Avenue; all 2-3pmFree

Halloween Arts and Craft Half Term MogeMoge Art Education, Altrincham · 10 min Mon 26 - Fri 30 Oct, 10am-3pm; ages 5-9 and 10-14£25+

Octopia: Half Term Drama Workshop (Garrick Academy, ages 6-18) Altrincham Garrick Playhouse · 10 min Mon 26 - Fri 30 Oct, 10am-4pm daily; book single days or the week£25+

Halloween Trail and Creepy Crafts at The Piece Hall (wizarding theme) The Piece Hall, Halifax · 60 min From 11am; trail ends 2.30pm, crafts until 3pmUnder £10

October Half Term at Jodrell Bank Jodrell Bank, Goostrey · 35 min Tue-Sun 10am-5pm (last entry 3:30pm)£10–25

Craft and Story October Half Term at Eastham Library Eastham Library, Eastham, Wirral · 55 min Tue 27 Oct 2.30-3.30pm; free (Wirral Libraries)Free

Farshore Funny Fest with Beano (half-term comedy book day) Storyhouse, Chester · 55 min Tue 27 Oct from 10am; book the headline Beano event plus one free act (Big Beano Draw-along now full)Selling fastUnder £10

October Half-term Drama Day: Doorway to Dimensions! (ages 5-11) The Met, Bury · 40 min Tue 27 Oct, 10am-4pm£25+

Self-Led Crafts: Spooky Museum Grosvenor Museum, Chester · 50 min Tue 27 & Wed 28 Oct, drop inFree

Children's Crafting: paint your own ceramics Bents Garden & Home, Glazebury · 25 min Tue 27 and Thu 29 Oct, 10am-1pm; pay on the dayUnder £10

Little Terrors Trail The Trafford Centre, Trafford Park · 15 min Tue 27 to Thu 29 Oct, 11am-4pm dailyFree

School of Witchcraft & Wizardry at Hoghton Tower Hoghton Tower, Hoghton, Preston · 55 min About 2-hour sessions; ages 7-12 only, one accompanying adult per child; children's lunch package £6£10–25

Creative Kids Half-Term Art Club (polymer clay, fairy house pot) Broadstone Mill Shopping Outlet, Reddish, Stockport · 25 min Tue 27 Oct polymer clay 10.30am-12pm; Wed 28 and Fri 30 Oct further sessions£10–25

Halloween half term at Salford Museum (Junk Monsters, Crafty Ghosts, Clay Ghosts, spooky storytime) Salford Museum and Art Gallery · 30 min Junk Monsters Tue 27 Oct 10-11am and 11.30am-12.30pm (£3, book); Crafty Ghosts Thu 29 Oct and Clay Ghosts Fri 30 Oct (£3 each, book); spooky keyring (29 Oct) and spooky storytime (27 Oct) freeUnder £10

Half term family fun at Manchester Museum Manchester Museum · 25 min Tue 27 - Sat 31 Oct, 10am-5pm: Waste to Wonder building (28-29 Oct), Billie Bee storytime (28 and 30 Oct, ages 2-7, book on the day), Halloween eco-makes with Biffa (30 Oct), CALFE storytelling (31 Oct)Free

Beano Presents Dennis the Menace's Year of Mischief! Z-arts, Hulme, Manchester · 20 min 11am-12pm; ages 6+£10–25

Family pumpkin carving at Kampasi Kampasi Restaurant, Sale Moor · 15 min Wednesday 28 October, 4–7.30pm£10–25

Halloween Fun Day at Smithills Hall Smithills Hall, Bolton · 35 min Wed 28 Oct, 11am-3pmFree

Is Generosity Incompatible with a Rising Cost of Living? (free family research day) Manchester Central Library · 25 min Wed 28 Oct, 10am-3.30pm drop-inFree

Museum Explorers: Halloween Potions Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse, Northwich · 35 min Wed 28 Oct, sessions 11am and 12pmUnder £10

October half-term spooky crafts at Gawthorpe Hall Gawthorpe Hall, Padiham, Burnley · 60 min Wed 28 Oct 12-4pmUnder £10

Pumpkin Paper Plate Wreaths at Halton Lea Library Halton Lea Library, Runcorn · 45 min Wed 28 Oct 11am-12.30pm; free, no booking neededFree

Witchy Wednesday (pumpkin carving, creepy crafts, face painting, fancy dress) Congleton Town Hall · 45 min Wed 28 Oct, timed sessions 11am-12pm (sold out), 12.30-1.30pm, 2-3pmSelling fastUnder £10

Self-Led Crafts: Creepy Bats and Spiders Lion Salt Works, Northwich · 30 min Wed 28 & Thu 29 Oct, 10.30am-3.30pmFree

Spooky Family Tea (hot meal, Halloween crafts, dress-up competition) Bents Garden & Home, Glazebury · 25 min Wed 28 and Thu 29 Oct, 5-6.30pmSold out£10–25

Canaletto free drop-in craft workshops Tatton Park, Knutsford · 22 min Wed 28 Oct, Sat 31 Oct and Sun 1 NovUnder £10

Claymation Workshop: Boo the Halloween Ghost (SOLD OUT) Waterside Arts, Sale · 10 min Thu 29 Oct - now showing as Sold Out on the Waterside siteSold outUnder £10

Family Art Workshop with Michelle Leigh Warrington Museum & Art Gallery · 30 min Thu 29 Oct, 1pm-3pm; max 15 participants, children must be accompaniedFree

Grosvenor Museum's 140th Birthday Party (free half-term drop-in) Grosvenor Museum, Chester · 55 min Thu 10.30am–3.30pm; Victorian birthday party in the Roman Chester Gallery; highlights tours 11am daily 27–30 OctFree

Kids Pizza Making at The General Elliot The General Elliot, Croft, Warrington · 30 min Thu 29 Oct, 12pm and 3.30pm sessions (Thursdays in school holidays)£10–25

Magic Makers: Mystical Magic School Chetham's Library, Manchester · 25 min Thu 29 Oct, 2-4pmUnder £10

Wild Magic at The Hive (woodland school of magic) The Hive, Bolton · 40 min Thu 29 Oct, 10-11.30am or 1-2.30pm; make a cloak, broomstick, wand and wild potions; currently showing FULLY BOOKEDSold outUnder £10

Spooky City at Scare City (daytime family Halloween) Camelot Theme Park, Charnock Richard, Chorley · 50 min Thu 29 Oct to Sun 1 Nov, 2-4pm daily£10–25

Ghost Puppets (Halloween craft) Stockport Museum · 25 min Fri 30 Oct, 10am-12pm drop-inFree

Halloween Cartoon Drawing Workshop with Marc Jackson Warrington Market · 30 min Fri 30 Oct, one-hour sessions at 11am and 1pm£10–25

Halloween Crafts in the Creative Space (squishy making, diamond painting, log decorating) Wythenshawe Forum library · 15 min Fri 30 Oct, sessions 1.30-2.30pm and 3-4pm; ages 8+, under-13s dropped off and signed inFree

Kids Spooky Potion Making The General Elliot, Croft, Warrington · 30 min Fri 30 Oct, sessions at 12pm and 3.30pm£10–25

Monster Face Craft at Ditton Library Ditton Library, Widnes · 50 min Fri 30 Oct 11am-12.30pm; free, no booking neededFree

Spooky goings-on at Stockport Museum: gruesome trail and sugar skull masks Stockport Museum · 25 min Fri 30 Oct, 1pm-3pm mask craft (ghost puppets 10am the same day); gruesome trail and craft table all half-term weekFree

Arc Saturday Art Club Hat Works, Stockport · 30 min Last Saturday of the month - check timesUnder £10

Autumn Fayre Stockport Town Hall · 25 min Sat 31 Oct, 10am-4pmFree

Creepy Crafts with Our Kids Social (pumpkin-patch headbands) Market Walk, Sale · 15 min Sat 31 Oct, 45-min sessions at 1.30pm and 2.30pm; ages 3+Free

Flip into Wonder with CALFE (children's authors, storytelling, drums, mask-making) Manchester Museum · 25 min Sat 11.30am–4pmFree

Halloween at Park Wood (free spooky fun) Park Wood, Wythenshawe · 15 min Sat 31 Oct, 12-4pm; storytelling 12.30-2pm, lantern making 2-4pm; moves indoors to Brownley Methodist Church if wetFree

Halloween Craft: decorate your own trick-or-treat bag Merseyway Shopping Centre, Stockport · 30 min Sat 31 Oct from 11am; free drop-inFree

Halloween Crafty Kids Pop Up Heald Green Library, Heald Green, Cheadle · 20 min Sat 31 Oct, 11.30am-12.30pmFree

Halloween Creative Workshop (ages 7-12) Hazel Grove Bowling and Tennis Club · 30 min Sat 31 Oct, 2-3.30pmSold out£10–25

Halloween Kids Fancy Dress Party Sale West Community Centre · 10 min Sat 31 Oct, 2-4pmUnder £10

Halloween Magic: Family Craft and Pumpkin Party Mabel's Cafe & Tea Rooms, Altrincham · 10 min Sat 31 Oct, 10.30am-12pm£10–25

Kids Halloween Games and Crafts Grill on the Green, Worsley · 25 min Sat 31 Oct 2-3pm at Grill on the Green, Beesley Green, Worsley M28 2QWSold outFree

Kreepy Kargo: Our Kids Social Halloween Party Kargo MKT, Salford Quays · 25 min Sat 31 Oct 10am-12pm; DJ, silent disco, LEGO, crafts, mystery trail, foam machine, circus skills, face painting; best for 10 and underUnder £10

Light Party (glow-themed Halloween alternative) St Mary Magdalene Church, Ashton on Mersey, Ashton upon Mersey · 15 min Saturday 31 October, 5.30–7pmFree

Little Monsters Halloween party at Jackson's Boat Jackson's Boat, Rifle Road, Sale · 15 min Date unconfirmed · Saturday 31 October, 3–6pmFree

Make a Flying Bat Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery · 30 min Sat 31 Oct, 2-4pm drop-inFree

Mega Halloween Party (Born To Be Wild Child Monster Mash) Aviva Studios, Manchester · 30 min Sat 31 Oct, sessions 11am-1pm and 2.30pm-4.30pmUnder £10

Room on the Broom - Interactive Halloween Storytelling The Garden Bar Monton, Monton, Salford · 25 min Listing shows '12:00am til 2:00pm' (likely a midday start); confirm timeUnder £10

Spooky Halloween Trail at Denbigh Castle (crafts, face painting, chocolate prizes, fancy dress) Denbigh Castle · 95 min Sat 31 Oct 10am-4pm; come in scary costumeUnder £10

September 2026

Brick or Treat Monster Party LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester, Trafford Park · 15 min Daily 26 Sep - 1 Nov; centre open 10.30am-6pm (last entry 3.45pm)£10–25

November 2026

Halloween Family Feastival Boxpark Liverpool, Baltic Triangle, Liverpool · 55 min Sun 1 Nov 12-4pm; free kids' crafts from 12pm, kids' Halloween quiz 1pm, free face painting, games and entertainer; fancy dress encouraged£25+

Mischief Under the Moon: family Halloween day party Campfield House, Castlefield, Manchester · 30 min Sun 1 Nov, 2-4pm (last entry 3.45pm)Under £10

Read and Make: There's a Ghost in This House Waterstones Altrincham · 10 min Sun 10-11am; ideal for ages 3-7, all welcomeFree

Manchester Museum Celebrates Diwali Manchester Museum · 25 min Wed 4 Nov, 4pm-9pm; drop inFree

Comic Workshop with Jeffrey Brown (LEGO: Nikolas Nurdblok and the Lost Brick) Waterstones Altrincham · 10 min Thu 12 Nov, 4pmUnder £10

WYC Makes: free drop-in making workshop led by young artists The Whitworth, Manchester · 25 min Sat 1pm–3pm, drop in; run by and mainly for teenagers and young adultsFree

Zoology Club with Animal Teach (hands-on animal encounters by age group) Norton Priory Museum & Gardens, Runcorn · 40 min Sat; sessions 10.15am, 11.45am or 1.15pm by age group£10–25

Crafted 2026: designer-makers fair at OYEZ Arts Oyez Arts, Altrincham · 20 min Sat 14 and Sun 15 Nov; opening hours not yet listedFree

Christmas Lantern Making Workshop & Santa's Lantern Parade Lower Chambers, Knutsford · 20 min Sat 21 Nov, workshops 9.30-11am or 12-1.30pm; gather at Knutsford station car park 5.30pm for the parade before the lights switch-onSold outFree

Festive Junior Farmers at Kenyon Hall Farm (indoor tree forest, tractor ride, craft) Kenyon Hall Farm, Croft, Warrington · 25 min Date unconfirmed · Every weekend from Sat 21 Nov; 45-60 min sessions (end date not yet published)On sale Sun 1 Nov£10–25

Father Christmas at the Farm Tatton Park, Knutsford · 22 min Selected dates, 10:30am-4pm£10–25

Breakfast with Santa (buffet, storytime, games, crafts and face painting) Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa, Pulford, Chester · 60 min Sun 22 Nov, Sun 13 Dec and Sun 20 Dec, 10am–12pm£25+

Gingerbread House Workshop (parent and child) Bents Garden & Home, Glazebury · 25 min Fri 5-6pm; one pre-built house per booking to decorate together£25+

Arc Saturday Art Club (family drop-in arts and crafts above Hat Works) Hat Works, Stockport · 30 min Sat 11am–3pm, drop in (no December club)Under £10

Manchester Made Craft Fair: Winter Edition Waterside Arts, Sale · 15 min Sat 11am-4pmFree

Victorian Christmas Weekend at Gawthorpe Hall (Father Christmas, crafts, bellringers) Gawthorpe Hall, Padiham, Burnley · 60 min Sat 28 & Sun 29 Nov 11am-3.30pm; phone 01282 771004 to reserve a Father Christmas slotUnder £10

Santa's Grotto (Warrington Disability Partnership) Walton Hall and Gardens, Warrington · 25 min Sat 28 Nov to Tue 22 Dec, selected days 10am-4pm (weekends 28/29 Nov, 5/6, 12/13, 19/20 Dec, plus Mon 21 and Tue 22 Dec)Under £10

The North Pole Experience Reddish Vale Farm, Stockport · 25 min 9:30am-4:30pmSEN session£10–25

Tiny Tots Christmas Zoo Adventure (ages 3-5) Walton Hall and Gardens, Warrington · 35 min Mon 30 Nov, 10.30am–12pm£10–25

December 2026

Little Liverpool Christmas Special (festive sensory play, under-6s) Pier Head, Liverpool · 55 min Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun 11.15am; Fri 2.15pmOn sale Sun 1 NovUnder £10

Festive Family Tea with Father Christmas Bents Garden & Home, Glazebury · 25 min Wed 2, Fri 4, Tue 8, Fri 11, Tue 15, Wed 16 and Fri 18 Dec, 5-6.30pm£25+

Operation Elf: Save Christmas - festive play space Quarry Bank, Styal, Wilmslow · 15 min Daily 10.30am-4pm (closed some days; check calendar); 4th floor of the Mill£10–25

Christmas Market at The Dunham Barn (opening night and Sunday fairs) The Dunham Barn, Dunham Massey, Altrincham · 15 min Opening night Fri 4 Dec 5-9.30pm, then daytime fairs Sun 6, 13 and 20 DecFree

A Very Merry Minifest Z-arts, Hulme, Manchester · 20 min 11am and 2pm; ages 2–8£10–25

Handmade at Hat Works: Festive Edition (makers market) Hat Works, Stockport · 20 min Date unconfirmed · Sat 5 Dec; drop-in; time not listedFree

Shiny Christmas Fun Day (free crafts, storytelling and winter disco) - SOLD OUT Z-arts, Hulme, Manchester · 20 min Sat from 11am, 3 hours; A Very Merry Minifest shows at 11am and 2pmSold outFree

Stan's Secret Santa Saturday Manchester Museum, Manchester city centre · 25 min Sat 5 Dec, 11am-3pmFree

Storytime and Crafts with Mother Christmas Grosvenor Museum, Chester · 50 min Sat 11am–3pm; storytelling at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pmUnder £10

Christmas at the Zoo (guided tour of the Children's Zoo plus bauble craft) Walton Hall and Gardens, Warrington · 35 min Selected dates 5–19 Dec, 10.30am–11.30am session£10–25

Festive Family Breakfast with Father Christmas Bents Garden & Home, Glazebury · 25 min Saturdays 5, 12 and 19 Dec, 9.30-11am; everyone attending needs a ticketSold out£10–25

Sail to Santa (boat trip to Santa's Island, elves' workshop crafts) WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough, Lancashire · 55 min 5, 6, 12, 13, 19–23 Dec; timed boat slots, last boats from 3pm, activities end 4pm£10–25

The Eureka! Christmas Experience (private meet with Santa) Eureka! The National Children's Museum, Halifax · 50 min 5-6, 12-13 and 18 Dec, then daily 19-23 Dec; timed slots, 12 families per slot£10–25

The Dunham Barn Santa's Grotto 2026 (private family slots) The Dunham Barn, Dunham Massey, Altrincham · 15 min Selected dates 5-24 Dec; private slots for up to 6, some dates already sold outSelling fast£25+

William Morris: Common Paradise (major free exhibition) The Whitworth, Manchester · 25 min Gallery open daily 10am–5pm (Thu to 9pm)Free

Messy Cafe: Christmas Crafts St George's Church, Altrincham · 10 min Sun 1–2.30pmUnder £10

Baby and Toddler Festive Play Session with Father Christmas Quarry Bank, Styal, Wilmslow · 15 min Thu 10, Fri 11, Thu 17 and Fri 18 Dec; ages 6 months to 5 years, older children welcome£10–25

Winter Wonderland Craft Fair (for Trafford Domestic Abuse Services) Kids Planet Stanley Square, Sale · 15 min Fri 11 Dec, 5-7pm; open to everyone, not just nursery familiesFree

Santa's Grotto at the Town Hall Town Hall Square, Chester · 55 min Sat 12 & Sun 13 Dec 2026, 10.30am-4.30pm£10–25

Christmas at The Works (Santa's grotto, frosty science, letters to Santa, carols, free crafts) Lion Salt Works, Northwich · 30 min Sun 11am–4pm; grotto and science sessions are timed and bookableUnder £10

Zoology Club with Animal Teach (hands-on animal encounters) Norton Priory Museum & Gardens, Runcorn · 40 min Sat 19 Dec 2026; age-banded timeslots£10–25

Melting Moments: free winter family art activities (Christmas holidays) Tate Liverpool + RIBA North · 55 min Daily 10am–4pm; closed 24–26 DecFree

RNCM Christmas Family Day: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse with live orchestra Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester (Oxford Road) · 30 min Sun 20 Dec 2026; sessions 10am-12.30pm and 1.30-4pm£10–25

Christingle making afternoon St Mary Magdalene Church, Ashton on Mersey, Ashton upon Mersey · 15 min Wednesday 23 December, 3–5pmFree

January 2027

Family Feastival Sundays (kids' crafts, free face painting, kids' quiz and food deals) Boxpark Liverpool, Liverpool (Baltic Triangle) · 55 min Most Sundays 12pm-4pm (not 14 Mar)Under £10

February 2027

Messy Café at St George’s (family crafts, games and cake) St George's Church, Altrincham · 10 min Sunday 1–2.30pm. Drop in any time; crafts, stories, songs and cake.Under £10

Draw a Line in the Sand: free February half-term family art activities Tate Liverpool + RIBA North · 55 min Daily 10am–4pmFree

March 2027

Good Friday Easter crafts at St George’s St George's Church, Altrincham · 10 min Good Friday 10–11.30am, then a light lunch together. Parents stay throughout.Under £10

May 2027

Messy Café at St George’s (family crafts, games and cake) St George's Church, Altrincham · 10 min Sunday 1–2.30pm. Drop in any time; crafts, stories, songs and cake.Under £10

June 2027

Arley Garden Festival 2027 (show gardens, Animal Teach, fun dog show, children's entertainment) Arley Hall & Gardens, Great Budworth, Northwich · 25 min Sat and Sun 10am-5pm; fun dog show first class 11.30amNot on sale yet£10–25

July 2027

Messy Café at St George’s (family crafts, games and cake) St George's Church, Altrincham · 10 min Sunday 1–2.30pm. Drop in any time; crafts, stories, songs and cake.Under £10

Manchester Science Festival 2027 (20th anniversary summer festival) Science and Industry Museum, Manchester · 25 min Sat 24 – Tue 28 Jul 2027, with activities continuing to 31 AugFree

August 2027

Just So Festival 2027 (family arts festival, camping weekend or day tickets) Rode Hall Estate, Scholar Green, Cheshire · 40 min Fri 20 Aug 12pm to Sun 22 Aug 10pm; Sat/Sun day tickets£25+