Things to do in Wythenshawe with kids

Everything for families in Wythenshawe, Northenden, Baguley and Sharston: what's on this weekend and in the coming weeks, what runs every week, and places to just turn up to.

18 things on in the next eight weeks (11 free) · 10 every week · 9 places to go any day

Updated Monday 26 October. New events are added every week.

Coming up in Wythenshawe

This week, 26 Oct – 1 Nov 8

Hidden Horrors trail across Manchester parks (incl. Wythenshawe Park) Wythenshawe Park, Wythenshawe / Manchester · 30 min Date unconfirmed · Half term; free checklist from each park's cafe or reception; council says 13 parks take part this year, plus free pumpkin carving sessions through the week and a giant recycled haunted house at Alexandra ParkFree

Pet Pals pet care workshop (half-term) Pets at Home Baguley · 10 min Tue 27-Fri 30 Oct at 2pm; Sat 31 Oct at 11am and Sun 1 Nov at 11am (45 min)Selling fastFree

Walk the Plank lantern-making workshop at Wythenshawe Hall Wythenshawe Hall · 15 min Wed 28 Oct, 2-5pm. Bring the lantern back for the lantern parade before the fireworks on Sat 7 Nov (meet at the workshop at 7pm).Sold outFree

Growing Sustainable Communities: free half-term fun day at Wythenshawe Forum Wythenshawe Forum · 15 min Thu 29 Oct, 11am–2pm, on the Forum concourseFree

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

Halloween Sorcery School at Wythenshawe Civic (potions, spells, trail, face painting) Wythenshawe Civic · 15 min Fri 11am–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

Messy Communion at St Wilfrid's, Northenden Northenden Community Library, St Wilfrid's Church Hall · 15 min Sun 1 Nov: Messy Church crafts from 10am, then a short communion service at 10.40amFree

2–8 Nov 1

Free Fireworks at Wythenshawe Park (also Heaton Park and Platt Fields) Wythenshawe Park, Wythenshawe, Manchester · 10 min Lantern workshops/parade first; reduced-noise display 5pm; main display 8pmQuiet session Sat 7 NovFree

9–15 Nov 1

Wythenshawe Hall open day: World War I Remembered Wythenshawe Hall · 10 min Sunday 11am–4pm (last entry 3.30pm). Volunteer-run themed open day in the Tudor hall for Remembrance.Under £10

23–29 Nov 3

Civic Christmas Star Trail (20 stars decorated by local schools) Wythenshawe Civic · 15 min Daily during centre opening hours; weekly prize drawFree

Santa's Grotto at Wythenshawe Civic (horse-box grotto, gift for every child) Wythenshawe Civic · 15 min Fri–Sun 10am–4pmUnder £10

The Christie Festive Dash (5k walk/jog/run) Wythenshawe Park · 10 min Sun 29 Nov; the dash starts at 10.30am£10–25

30 Nov – 6 Dec 2

A Family Centre Christmas with Santa at Woodhouse Park Family Centre Woodhouse Park Family Centre, 7 Stoneacre Road, Wythenshawe · 15 min Fri 4 Dec, 3.30–5.30pmUnder £10

Christmas Pantomime: Cinderella (Forum Events with OnYa Bike Theatre) Wythenshawe Forum · 15 min Fri 4 Dec 7pm, Sat 5 Dec 1.30pm, Sun 6 Dec 1.30pm; doors 30 min beforeUnder £10

7–13 Dec 2

Christmas at Wythenshawe Hall (hall dressed for Christmas, Santa's grotto) Wythenshawe Hall · 15 min Sat 12 and Sun 13 Dec; usual open-day hours 11am-4pm; 2026 prices to be confirmed (last time £3 entry, grotto £3.50 per child, grotto queue closes 2pm)Under £10

Breakfast or Dinner with Santa at The Flying Horse (Hungry Horse) The Flying Horse, Wythenshawe (Sharston) · 20 min Breakfasts 12, 13, 19, 20 and 24 Dec; Dinner with Santa Tue 22 and Wed 23 DecUnder £10

14–20 Dec 1

Traditional carol service at St Richard's, Peel Hall St Richard of Chichester Church, Peel Hall Road, Wythenshawe · 15 min Sun 20 Dec, 5pm (about an hour)Free

Further ahead

May 2027

Jurassic Wild: The Musical Adventure Sat 29 May · Wythenshawe Forum

Every week in Wythenshawe 10

Regular sessions anyone can go to. Term time means no session in the school holidays.

Monday
- Little Blessings toddler group at St Luke's, Benchill · St Luke's Church Hall Benchill · 10am–12pm
- Under-5s fun swim at Wythenshawe Forum · Wythenshawe Forum · 8.15–9am · term time
- Under-5s storytime at Brooklands Library · Brooklands Library · 11am–12pm · term time
Tuesday
- Family swims at Wythenshawe Forum · Wythenshawe Forum · 10–11am · term time
- Under-5s fun swim at Wythenshawe Forum · Wythenshawe Forum · 8.15–9am · term time
- Under-5s storytime at Forum Library, Wythenshawe · Wythenshawe Forum library · 11–11.30am · term time
Wednesday
- Under-5s fun swim at Wythenshawe Forum · Wythenshawe Forum · 8.15–9am · term time
Thursday
- Toddlers' Church at St Martin's, Baguley · St Martin's Church Baguley · 11.45am–12pm
- Under-5s fun swim at Wythenshawe Forum · Wythenshawe Forum · 8.15–9am · term time
Friday
- Under-5s fun swim at Wythenshawe Forum · Wythenshawe Forum · 8.15–9am · term time
- Under-5s storytime at Northenden Community Library · Northenden Community Library · 11–11.30am · term time
Saturday
- Lego Club at Forum Library, Wythenshawe · Wythenshawe Forum library · 2–4pm
- Wythenshawe parkrun · Wythenshawe Hall · 9am
Sunday
- Family swims at Wythenshawe Forum · Wythenshawe Forum · 10–11am · term time
- Under-5s fun swim at Wythenshawe Forum · Wythenshawe Forum · 8.15–9am · term time
- Wythenshawe Community Run · Wythenshawe Park · 9am

Places to go in Wythenshawe

Parks and playgrounds 2

Wythenshawe Community Farm Wythenshawe · 2 miles from Timperley Charity-run working farm beside the Wythenshawe Park playground: Hereford cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and horses; feeding often around 3pm.

Wythenshawe Park Wythenshawe · 2.9 miles from Timperley Huge park with a mixed-age play area for under-16s, a free cycle hub with learn-to-ride area and pump track, a farm, café and toilets.Next: Free Fireworks at Wythenshawe Park, Sat 7 Nov Free2 events coming up

Libraries 3

Brooklands Library Baguley · 1.6 miles from Timperley Local library on Moor Road; Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat 10am–1pm and 2–5pm, Wed to 8pm. Monday under-5s storytime in term.1 weekly session FreeIndoors

Wythenshawe Forum library Wythenshawe · 2.9 miles from Timperley Big library in the Forum with a Creative Space; Mon–Tue 9am–8pm, Wed 9–5, Thu 1–8pm, Sat 9–5, closed Sun. Pay-and-display parking.Next: Halloween Crafts in the Creative Space, Fri 30 Oct · 2 weekly sessions FreeIndoors1 event coming up

Northenden Community Library Wythenshawe · 3.3 miles from Timperley Small library in St Wilfrid's Church Hall, Ford Lane; afternoons Mon–Thu, 10am–5pm Fri and Sat.Next: Messy Communion at St Wilfrid's, Northenden, Sun 1 Nov · 1 weekly session FreeIndoors1 event coming up

Swimming and skating 1

Wythenshawe Forum Wythenshawe · 2.8 miles from Timperley 25m main pool and a small training pool, with family swims on Sundays and under-5s sessions most weekdays in term time; under-16s in Manchester can swim free at set times.Next: Growing Sustainable Communities: free half-term fun day at Wythenshawe Forum, Thu 29 Oct · 2 weekly sessions Indoors3 events coming up

Family-friendly pubs and cafés 3

The Courtyard Café Wythenshawe · 2.1 miles from Timperley Park café in Wythenshawe Park serving meals, paninis and homemade cakes; the park has a mixed-age play area and a community farm. Free

The Airport Pub Moss Nook, Wythenshawe · 3.6 miles from Timperley Robinsons pub at the end of the airport runway with plane views and a fenced, inclusive play area; walk-in only, no dogs.

The Flying Horse Wythenshawe · 4 miles from Timperley Hungry Horse family pub near the airport with an outdoor play area, a kids' menu and a beer garden for watching the planes.Next: Breakfast or Dinner with Santa at The Flying Horse, Sat 12 Dec 1 event coming up

Nearby

We check Wythenshawe's libraries, churches, schools, clubs, venues and parks every week and add what's open to any family. If something's missing, tell us at [email protected].

Questions parents ask

What's on in Wythenshawe this weekend for kids?

This weekend in Wythenshawe: Hidden Horrors trail across Manchester parks, Pet Pals pet care workshop at Pets at Home Baguley, Halloween at Park Wood and Messy Communion at St Wilfrid's, Northenden at Northenden Community Library.

What free things are there to do in Wythenshawe with kids?

Free events coming up include Hidden Horrors trail across Manchester parks, Pet Pals pet care workshop and Walk the Plank lantern-making workshop at Wythenshawe Hall; Brooklands Library, The Courtyard Café, Wythenshawe Park and Wythenshawe Forum library are free any day.

Where can children play indoors in Wythenshawe when it rains?

Indoors in Wythenshawe: Brooklands Library, Wythenshawe Forum, Wythenshawe Forum library and Northenden Community Library.

Are there baby and toddler groups in Wythenshawe?

Every week in Wythenshawe: Little Blessings toddler group at St Luke's, Benchill (Monday), Toddlers' Church at St Martin's, Baguley (Thursday), Under-5s fun swim at Wythenshawe Forum (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday), Under-5s storytime at Brooklands Library (Monday) and Under-5s storytime at Forum Library, Wythenshawe (Tuesday). All of them are on baby and toddler groups.

Where are the playgrounds in Wythenshawe?

Wythenshawe Park. All the playgrounds near Timperley are compared on playgrounds and parks.

What's on in Wythenshawe at Christmas?

Civic Christmas Star Trail (Mon 23 Nov), Santa's Grotto at Wythenshawe Civic (Fri 27 Nov), The Christie Festive Dash (Sun 29 Nov) and A Family Centre Christmas with Santa at Woodhouse Park Family Centre (Fri 4 Dec). Everything else is in Christmas near Timperley.