The bank holiday weekend is almost here, which probably means you're on the lookout for some family fun.
Well luckily there are plenty of events to choose from in and around Manchester - and there's something for all weathers. We've been scouring the region to come up with a few suggestions to suit families with kids of all ages.
Here's our full round-up of events and things to do in and around Greater Manchester this bank holiday weekend...
Spring Escape at the Trafford Centre
The huge fairground is running at The Trafford Centre for families to enjoy over the bank holiday weekend. Spring Escape arrived in time for the Easter school holidays and saw the return of the popular Jungle River log flume, swings, fun house and loads more rides outside The Orient.
It features rides for children of all ages, from the milder tea cups and cars, to a pirate ship and Rock Rage, one for the thrill seekers who like being flung around and swung upside down. While the circus tour has now ended, the fair is staying until June 5 and will be open this Friday to Monday for the long bank holiday weekend.
Character meet and greets will take place this weekend with the chance to see Rapunzel and Spider-Man between 1pm and 3pm this Saturday, April 30 and Isabela and Captain America between 2.45pm and 4.45pm on Sunday, May 1. Also on Saturday there'll be free face painting between 1.30pm and 5.30pm.
Entry to the fairground costs £3.50 on the day or £.250 in advance. Rides operate on a token system, costing £1 per token, and ranging from two to five tokens per ride. You can get 25 tokens for price of 20 by booking online.
To find out more about Spring Escape, or to book, visit the website here. You can also turn up and buy tickets on the day.
Cockfields Farm, Ashton
There's loads of fun happening at Cockfields Farm over the long weekend including foam parties on each of the three days. As well as the chance to meet everything from meerkats and reptiles to bunnies and baby goats, the foam parties will take place at 3.30pm each day and are included in the ticket price.
Other activities include tractor rides around the farm, a giant jumping pillow, fairground carousel and mole hill play tunnels. Book before 8pm on Thursday to save £3 per ticket and get an adult and child ticket for £20. Visit the website here.
Day Out With Thomas
TV favourite Thomas the Tank Engine is back at East Lancashire Railway this weekend for the first of this year's popular Day Out With Thomas events. The family day out includes rides on Thomas, the chance to meet the Fat Controller and performances from Rusty and Dusty, Sodor's cheeky station sweepers.
There's more track side entertainment too at the Imagination Station, where kids can play with their favourite Thomas and Friends toys and books. It's a hugely popular event among young fans of the show and gives families a 30-minute trip through the picturesque Irwell Valley to the beautiful Ramsbottom station.
Rides are running across the May bank holiday weekend from April 30 to May 2. The fun continues across the road at Bury Transport Museum, where tickets gain you entry to enjoy funfair rides, magicians, balloon modelling and face painting.
Advanced tickets are recommended and tickets are priced at £66 for a family of four (two adults and two children) and £44.40 for one adult and two children. Booking fees apply. Visit the website to book.
Peppa Pig at Sea Life Manchester
A new Peppa Pig Aquarium Adventure is coming to Sea Life Manchester and it kicks off this weekend. The themed and interactive activity trail is aimed at pre-schoolers and young families who can meet Peppa herself and 'explore rock pools and oceans' inside the attraction.
Visitors will be invited to follow the trail and will be tasked with several activities - from spotting seahorses and crabs to counting starfish and learning how fast sharks can swim. There will also be fun workshops where little piggies can create ocean friendship bracelets and help make a jumbo jigsaw.
You'll be able to meet Peppa at designated times throughout the day and take photos with the nation's favourite pig. The event is running from April 30 to July 3. To book tickets, from £16.95, visit the website here. Under threes go free.
Inflatable Kidz World, Rochdale
A 'fun-packed weekend of mega inflatables' is promised at Inflatable Kidz World this weekend. The event, from JK Events, is coming to Springfield Park in Rochdale from Saturday to Monday, opening from 11am until 5.30pm.
It will feature inflatables and rides suitable for ages two to 10. Entry is free and there are various token packages to choose from. You can buy tickets online, or buy them on the day.
Trafford Watersports Centre
You'll need to be quick to book one of the remaining family or mini adventures available at Trafford Watersports Centre at Sale Water Park this weekend. You can choose from kayaking, canoeing, kata kanoeing or stand up paddleboarding and you get a one-hour instructed session.
Family adventures - for up to eight people - cost £20 per person and mini adventures, for over sevens, £40. Rowing boats can also be booked for £20 for up to three people. See the website here to book.
Superworm trail at Delamere Forest
The Superworm family activity trail is running at Delamere Forest over the weekend. The trail is based on the children’s picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler and follows the premiere of the popular animation which aired on Christmas Day.
From the creators of The Gruffalo, the Superworm story has been brought to 26 forests across England, with the other closest ones being Gisburn Forest in Lancashire, Grizedale Forest and Whinlatter in Cumbria, and North Yorkshire's Dalby and Guisborough forests.
For £3.50, families can buy an activity pack featuring a forest superhero mask, a paper bag to colour in, seven creature fact cards, an activity sheet, stickers, a pencil and crayon, and the trail leaflet.
It's the latest partnership between Forestry England and Magic Light Pictures, with the trail aiming to showcase 'the unsung heroes of the forest' by highlighting the small but mighty creatures in the Superworm story, such as toad, beetle and Wizard Lizard, and shows their amazing abilities as they make their home in the forest.
The trail should keep little ones entertained for about an hour, leaving time to explore the rest of the forest, which is also home to Gruffalo characters mouse, snake, fox, owl and squirrel. Superworm trail launch dates differ between forests, for more details visit the website here.
To keep on top of the news and events for families in Manchester, sign up to the Manchester Family newsletter here.
