Family Fun 19th & 20th July 2014

The weather again this weekend cannot make up its mind so we have tried to give you lots of different ideas to let you have family adventures regardless of the weather!

Saturday

tennisGreat British Tennis Weekend (throughout UK) FREE

Once again Tennis clubs throughout the country are opening their doors to let potential Andy Murray’s have a try at Tennis.  Clubs are offering this throughout the country and to find your local club, use the link here.  I think it’s a great opportunity to let youngsters hae a try at a new sport which is not as readily available through schools when compared with football and netball.  This is the last weekend that the sessions are running so try to make the most of them.

Eureka (Halifax)

As you can tell, I have a little soft spot for Eureka.  I have a love of interactive museums and any that do it well, as in the case of Eureka always deserve a special mention.  Starting this weekend and running over the entire Summer holidays is a focus on being different thing, whether it’s an artist, musician or a story-maker.  Eureka are running a number of activities alongside their normal exhibitions to get the creative juices going in all of the youngsters who visit.  Details of the events running can be found here.

Who’s Been Sitting in My Chair

The Horse & Boo Theatre in Bacup is staging the show, Whose Been sitting in My chair.  We have watched the show in Buxton and really enjoyed it.  Maya was only 3 at the time and it was a little confusing for her, the way the story was told, but for pre-school/reception aged children it is fantastic.  It is an imaginative take on the classic story and works really well on the stage.  As in the words from the story, it isn’t too big, it isn’t too small, it’s just right.  For ticketing and pricing information, check here.  I would recommend it for any youngsters who love classic tales.

Pirates Day (Mount Park, Morecambe)mount park

Happy Mount Park is calling our swash buckling pirates and bounty hunters to take part in the treasure hunt at the park.  There will be a fancy dress competition, story telling and lots of other pirate themed activities.  There will be theatrical performances and music being showcased throughout the day.  the event is on from 12pm – 5pm.  I have lots of really good things about this park so it would warrant a visit in its own right but combines with a family event, it seems perfect for some family shenanigans.

Back to the Future Open Day (Stockport) FREE

Stepping Hill Hospital is opening its doors to the public to let them have a behind the scenes tour of a working hospital.  The theme this year is “Back to the Future” and there will be lots of entertainment and stands for all the family.  My pick of what is available is the behind the scenes tour of operating theatres, laboratory services under the microscope and the giant walk-through colon.  There lots more to do on the day.  It sounds like a very different experience and fun day for children.  No booking is required but it can be made, with details here.   There is also free parking available.

Caribbean Carnival of Manchester (Manchester) FREE

Plattfields Park in Manchester will be home to the weekend long event celebrating everything that is great about the Caribbean Culture, past and present.  There will be the procession that goes through Moss Side, Hulme and other areas with a number of floats for the parade.  On entrance to the park the visitors will be greeted with the sights, sounds and smells of the Caribbean.  There will be a number of designated areas and a number of live stages.  The event wants to attract the whole community to join in this celebration.

Family Fun Day (Lowry, Salford) FREE

The exhibition ‘Here’s One we Made Earlier’ will be launched with a family fun day which is being held in conjunction with the BBC.  There will be lots of hands on activities, meeting a number of CBBC characters and the viewing of the new CBBC drama ‘Harrierts Army’.  It sounds like a great day out allowing visitors to be one of the first people to see the exhibition with a great family fun day, timings are 10am – 3pm.

Pedal Power (Manchester) FREE

The Museum of Science and Industry are opening their new exhibition on bicycles called Pedal Power.  Pedal Power celebrates everything that is great about the two-wheel ride from track cycling to the technology behind it.  There will be lots of different types of bikes being showcased and there is a mini Velodrome to let young scientists understand the science behind GB’s recent successes.  The exhibition is free and the museum is open daily 9 – 5pm.


Erth Dinosaur Zoo
dinosaur zoo

The Palace Theatre in Manchester is staging the successful Dinosaur Zoo show for the next couple of weeks (18th – 26th July).  The show sounds perfect for any dinosaur fanatic out there and is an interactive and informative show which lets the audience learn about the less well-known but equally ferocious dinosaurs from the southern hemisphere .  The show sounds less formal than a normal staged show and from reviews it sounds captivating for a young audience.  We are attending the Saturday matinée performance and cannot wait.  our little adventurers get excited every time I show them the videos.  Tickets can be booked here.

Disney’s Little Mermaid (Chorley)

Chorley’s Little Theatre has staged the show all week and Saturday is the late day of the performance.  The show is based on the Broadway production so is a combination of the Hans Christian Anderson story and the Disney version.  Little Mermaid was always one of my favourite Disney movies and its not the often staged so would be perfect for any Ariel fans out there.  Family tickets are £22, for more pricing information and timings, click here.

Animals in the Park (Chorley) FREE

Astley Hall are again hosting an event where a variety of animals are brought into the park.  People can meet a variety of animals from miniature ponies, giant rabbits, lambs and a whole host of other animals.  The park and grounds are supposed to be very lovely so would recommend packing a picnic, meet the animals and let the children run around the grounds to burn off some steam.  Would be perfect for any animal fans 🙂 More information is here.

Sunday

Family drama workshops (Manchester) FREE

Royal Exchange theatre in Manchester have monthly drama workshops for the family.  Working with Phil Cross, people attending will learn basic stage skills, team building exercises and this months focus is on expression, movement and confidence.   The event is free but it is ticketed so booking si essential.  The sessions are split into two categories:

Ages 4- 6 12 – 12:40

Ages 7 – 11 12:50 – 1:30pm

Skills Sunday (Manchester) FREE

The National Football Museum will be hosting a special skills session, every Sunday during the holidays.  The sessions are designed for the whole family and aim to improve your techniques, get healthier and be part od the world record attempt.  Classes are limited in size to 30 people sp arrive early so you have the chance to take part.

Fleetwood Festival of Transport – Tram Sunday (Fleetwood) FREEtram sunday

Enjoy a free, family day exploring trams in Fleetwood.  Visitors can enjoy rides on the heritage Trams between Fisherman’s Walk and Thornton Gate throughout the day.  I love getting the children on as many different modes of transport as possible and the classic trams are great.  Last year over 70,000 attended and there will be lots for families to see and do include riding on segways, Scarecrow Festival and Fleetwood’s lifeboat and crew will be there with loads of rides for children.  In addition, there is a Wyre Council’s “Spare Parts” arts festival on the seafront including the likes of a JCB dancing.  Sounds like a great day out!

RNLI Open Day (St Annes) FREE

The Boathouse on St Anne’s promenade is hosting the RNLI Open Day and Summer Fair.  There will be loads of activities on throughout the day, but the highlight will be the public being able to meet the crew behind the RNLI, seeing the Boathouse and being able to take a tour on the All Weather Lifeboat.  There will be lots of traditional fair activities running alongside this.  If the sun is out (forecast for Sunday is good) a picnic on the Beach and letting the kids get up close to a real lifeguards crew would be pretty fab.

Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo (Hamley’s Manchester) FREE

If you are unable to attend the show, the dinosaurs from the show are going to be attending s special event at Hamleys between 4:30-5:30.  But all little adventurers be aware, they are not as friendly as they seem!


Green Fayre (Beacon Country Park) FREE

Beacon Country Park’s annual Green Fayre returns this weekend with activities across both Saturday and Sunday.  Set in the beautiful Becaon Country Park this event is the celebration of the countryside and countryside living.  The event will be open 11 – 5pm on both days and will be hosting a massive range of activities.  There will be a working woodlands area showcasing things such as willow weaving, coppice workers and wood carvers.  There will be a number of shows also on in the main area, from historical enactment to music.  For young children there will be a climbing wall, bouncy castles and have a go woodland sessions. There seems to be lots on in the event and I think its great that they are showcasing all the fantastic things that can be done in the great outdoors.  We will be attending this event on the Sunday, I think it will be a fantastic day out.

Moses Gate Country Fair (Bolton) FREE

Moses Gate Country Fair is back this weekend and should be a great day out for all the family.  There will be loads on to entertain young and old attending, so pack a picnic and have a fab day in the park and enjoy the delights of a local country fair.  There will be sports, funfair, donkeys and music.  What more could you ask for?

Peter Rabbit Tea Partiespeter rabbit

Calling all Peter Rabbit fans, the world of Beatrix Potter in the Lakes are hosting a number of tea parties through the summer months.  There will be a lovely lunch of cakes galore, sandwiches and rolls.  Every child who attends will be given a present and a balloon and a special guest will read the Tale of Peter Rabbit.  The tea party cost also includes entry to the attraction so guests can learn more about the wonderful characters from the Beatrix Potter stories.  Heres a link to information about the cost, dates and timings, when we checked there was still availability for this weekend.  The event cost £7.50 per child and £11 per adult but for any fans of the books, the attraction is supposed to be a great day out.

Brockholes Nature ReserveJunior Bird ID (Brockholes Nature Reserve, Preston)

Join one of the experts of the reserve on a guided walk and learn about the different birds that live in the nature reserve.  The guide will be able to help give tips on how to identify birds and then will lead the group for a walk around to see what they spot on the day.  The event is aimed at children aged 7+ and all children need to be accompanied by an adult.  It is advisable to book in advance, the cost is £3 per person and the details are here.

We hope you all have an amazing weekend.  Please do let us know if you did any of the events and what you thought of them.

Nisbah

I am a traveller, mother and blogger. We love to go on adventures (big and small, near and far) and strive to show our children how amazing and beautiful the world is! I caught the travel bug many moons ago and despite having three little adventurers, I still suffer from "itchy" feet. We love the great outdoors and one another. Come and join the fun :)

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2 Responses

  1. Bilal says:

    Nice list! BttF!

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