It's the school holidays once again and there are some right royal treats in store for families this May half term.
Whether your children are off for a week or two weeks, this year's break is extra special as it includes the two bank holidays to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Because of that there are more events happening than ever, so you'll no doubt be spoilt for choice - with both indoor and outdoor activities to suit all weathers.
And if you're not a fan of the Royals, don't worry, there's something for everyone and something to suit all budgets.
Here's our round-up of things to do with the kids in and around Greater Manchester this May half term and Jubilee weekend
Spring Escape at the Trafford Centre
The huge fairground is opening daily at The Trafford Centre over half term. 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.
Superhero and princess character meet and greets will take place on specific dates, including May Belle and Spider-Man from 1pm to 3pm on May 28, Rapunzel and Spider-Man from 1pm to 3pm on May 29 and Mirabel and Isabela from 2pm to 4pm on June 4.
There'll also be free face painting for over threes between 1.30pm and 5.30pm from May 30 to June 5, excluding June 4.
Entry to the fairground costs £3.50 on the day or £2.50 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.
Pirates of Cockfields Cove, Cockfields Farm
There's lots of swashbuckling fun lined up at Cockfields Farm this half term.
Families are invited to join Captain Cannonball, Jilly Roger and Jack Pigeon for 'a pirate adventure you will not want to miss'. The line-up includes a pirate show where boys and girls are recruited to the 'pirate crew', pirate games, a treasure hunt and an end of the day 'fearsome foam party'.
Of course every pirate needs a parrot and visitors can meet the farm's parrots and have their picture taken with them, including Tony, the blue and gold macaw who is the star of CBeebies' Swashbuckle.
Tickets include all the usual fun of the farm including unlimited fairground carousel rides, a giant jumping pillow, tractor rides and the chance to meet the animals and cuddle the bunnies and guinea pigs in Cuddle Corner.
The event is running from May 28 to June 5 and tickets, costing £13 each, can be booked online.
Beauty and the Beast, Palace Theatre
The Beauty and the Beast theatre show has had rave reviews since arriving at the Palace Theatre at the end of March.
Its epic nine-week run comes an end on Saturday, June 4 though so this half term is your final chance to see it.
The musical, based on Disney's hit 1991 animated movie, boasts the best-loved songs from the film like Be Our Guest, Gaston and of course the title track Beauty and the Beast.
Disney say the new musical tour has been re-imagined and re-designed in a completely new production staged by members of the original award-winning creative team.
To book tickets, costing from £20, visit the website here.
Chill Factore, Trafford
There's loads of fun on offer at Chill Factore over the break, from activities in the Snow Park to Kids' Holiday Camps.
The Snow Park is for anyone from the age of four and includes Downhill Donuts, where you can ride the slope in either a single or a double inflatable rubber ring and a Sledge 'n' Slide where you can board a sledge and race to the bottom.
For those aged six and above there's also the Ice Slide, where you lie on your back and slide down on a mat.
One-hour sessions cost £19, or you can get a four person pass for £69.
Kids' Holiday Camps are also running throughout the holidays to teach youngsters aged four to 16 how to ski. There are different age and ability groups and the green one for beginners is currently half price from £24.50.
For more details and to book, visit the website here.
Jubilee family fun, The Lowry
From arts and crafts to swing dancing, storytelling and a new free family exhibition, The Lowry is celebrating the Platinum Jubilee weekend in right royal style with a host of activities for all ages.
To reflect the history between the Salford venue, its namesake and Her Majesty – which includes when she opened The Lowry in 2000 - an exciting weekend of family fun has been planned to celebrate the historic event.
Family activity sessions will take place in The Lookout daily over the Jubilee Weekend. There'll be 45-minute long bookable sessions running at 11.30am, 12.30pm and 1.30pm with a different practitioner-led activity every day. The list includes:
- Thursday : Storytelling and craft activities based around the book The Queen’s Knickers. Ages 5+. Join Angie on a storytelling adventure to explore the children’s favourite The Queen’s Knickers by Nicholas Allen. These sessions will include a craft activity where you will make your own knicker bunting inspired by the story.
- Friday : Lowry Little Actors session led by a drama practitioner based around the books The Queen’s Hat and Get Up Elizabeth. Ages 7+. Enjoy drama fun and games with Emma and delve into the children’s books by Shirin Yim Bridges.
- Saturday : Crafty Families making moving ‘Coronation Carriages’. Ages 7+. L.S.Lowry was an official artist for the Queen's coronation back in 1953 and now in 2022, to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee you can join in with some creative fun at The Lowry by making your own carriage fit for a Queen.
- Sunday : Family Swing Dance Party. Ages 7+. A Family Swing Dance Party where you’ll learn some Swing Dance Steps before sharing a dance with your family. These activities will be led by a professional Swing Dance teacher.
From 2.30pm to 5pm each day there will be self-led craft activities including making Jubilee rosettes and designing an afternoon tea fit for a Queen. All activities require children to be accompanied by a guardian.
The new free exhibition Barrowland Ballet, Family Portrait is also running in The Galleries from May 28.
Part of The Lowry’s EDITS series, an interactive video installation titled Family Portrait forms the heart of the exhibition and visitors have the opportunity to create their own Family Portrait exploring movement and play, and add their photo to a growing collection of portraits which will be displayed in the gallery.
On Saturday and Sunday of Jubilee weekend dance artist Joanne Pirrie will be on hand to help visitors who have been inspired by the exhibition and would like to take their own family portraits.
Visit The Lowry's website for more details.
Jubilee Celebrations, Bolton
Bolton Library and Museum is going all out to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, with events running from June 2 to 5.
There's something for everyone over the course of the four days, from entertainment including live music from King Brass and a silent disco, to activities such as messy play, crafts and play sessions.
It runs from 11am to 3pm on each day. See the Facebook page here for more details.
Corgi Jubilee Trail, Quayside, MediaCity
A special Corgi Trail is planned at Quayside over the holidays. Visitors to the mall, formerly Lowry Outlet, are tasked with finding the corgis hiding in the shop windows.
Collect an entry form before you start, from Quayside's customer services then 'use your doggie know-how to track them down and find all the missing letters'.
Spell out the mystery words and you’ll be rewarded with 'a jolly Jubilee treat'.
The event is running from Saturday, May 28 to Sunday, June 5 and there's a suggested donation entry fee of £1, with all proceeds going to Francis House.
Bowling and Mario VR at Namco Funscape, Trafford Centre
There's even more reason to head to Namco Funscape inside the Trafford Centre this half term as it recently welcomed a new Mario Kart VR game.
As well as being able to enjoy bowling, dodgems and arcade games, visitors can dive into the world of Mario Kart - but this time you're in the driving seat. You can race with up to four people and immerse yourself in the game with VR technology.
So far, the immersive multiplayer VR title has only been available in a number of venues across the country, but it arrived at the venue at the end of March, along with Galaga Fever VR.
Mario Kart costs £6.95 per player or you can get a four-player package deal for £20.95. Galaga Fever costs £4.95, or you can play both games for £9.95.
Bowling can be booked by the game or by the hour. Visit the website here.
The Power of Superbees, RHS Bridgewater
RHS Garden Bridgewater is inviting families to get ‘buzzy’, and discover The Power of Superbees, with a week of fun, bee-themed activities over half term.
Visitors are urged to 'take a peek into the secret life of bees' as they follow the Super Bee garden trail, designed to help families discover more about the important role these pollinators play.
Enjoy craft and plant workshops, go on a bee safari with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and wander among the multi-sensory world of Artizani’s beehive installation.
The event is running from May 28 to June 5 and included in the entry fee - adults £11.50, children £5.75, family of four £27.50.
Jubilee celebrations will be taking place from June 2 to 5 with performances from the Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band, Astley Youth Band and Farnworth and Walkden Band, along with the commemorative planting of the final tree in The Queen's Green Canopy in Victoria Meadow.
Visit the website here for more details.
Queen Bee Jubilee, Moss Bank Park
It's all about the bees at Moss Bank Park's The Hive as well for the Jubilee - Queen bees that is - as visitors are invited to learn about 'nature's very own royalty'.
The Queen Bee Jubilee event takes place in different time slots over two days at the Bolton park - Friday, June 3 and Saturday, June 4.
Children will have the opportunity to make their very own nature crowns and become queen bees for the day. Adorned in their custom-made royal headwear little ones will head out on a nature trail, where they will buzz around the Hive seeking pollen rich flowers before collecting the nectar and completing the challenge.
You'll have the chance to make a seed bomb and then gather around the campfire for toasted marshmallows.
Find out more about the event and book tickets on the website here. Tickets cost £7.50 per child, including one adult. Additional adult tickets cost £3.
Treetop Trek and Nets, Heaton Park
You can head up high for some fun at Heaton Park this half term.
Treetop Trek and Nets offers nets high in the trees, as well as a Full Trek and Mini Trek, with slots available to book online.
The nets are for adults and children from the age of three, the Full Trek for adults and children aged seven and above, and the Mini Trek for adults and children from aged five.
Adults need to accompany children under 12 on the treks, but children aged five and over can go on the nets alone. An adult must remain on site though, even if they're not taking part.
The two-hour Full Trek costs £34 for adults and teens aged 16 and over, or £27 for children. The Mini Trek lasts an hour and costs £20 each.
Tickets for the nets cost £20 each for two hours, or £14 for supervisors and under fives.
Jubilee celebrations, The Trafford Centre
The Trafford Centre is marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee by hosting a full day of celebrations.
There are events running from 2pm right through to 10pm on Thursday, June 2, with dancing, music, children’s entertainment and the traditional lighting of beacons to honour the iconic milestone.
Festivities include a Tea Dance for all age groups to watch between 12pm and 3pm, with traditional dances to iconic numbers including Elton John, Spice Girls and Queen performed by the Miss Joanne Farnell School of Dancing on the main stage located in The Orient.
Thirty-minute performances will take place at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.
In the evening Girlguiding Greater Manchester West [Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers] will host a Jubilee Beacon, one of the official events of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
The official beacon lighting - 'an opportunity to come together as a community to celebrate this historic milestone' - will take place outside the Great Hall, to be lit at 9.50pm.
Approximately 600 local Girlguiding members from Salford and Trafford will be joining in the festivities at Trafford Centre throughout the day, whilst performances by Louby Lou and local musicians take place on the main stage in The Orient.
Visit the website here for more details.
Peppa Pig at Sea Life Manchester
A new Peppa Pig Aquarium Adventure is running at Sea Life Manchester over the break. 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 can follow the trail and are tasked with several activities - from spotting seahorses and crabs to counting starfish and learning how fast sharks can swim. There are also 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 now until July 3. To book tickets, from £16.95, visit the website here. Under threes go free.
Finders Keepers, I'm A Celebrity Jungle Challenge, Quayside
There's a brand new challenge for families to take on at the I'm A Celebrity Jungle Challenge this half term, which has also introduced a new family ticket, saving over 25%.
Finders Keepers is giving Campmates a new challenge to face over the holidays, as 'deep in the depths of the jungle a host of goodies have been hidden'.
As contestants race around collecting stars they're being urged to keep their eyes peeled for plush toy snakes, koalas and kangaroos, Jungle branded treats and sweets, as well as free return admission tickets – 'all nestled around the jungle floor for your finding'.
The attraction, which opened at Quayside last summer, is inspired by the blockbuster ITV show with a variety of challenges and trials to test your nerve as well as your mental ability and physical agility.
You get stars for each challenge and there are other stars to collect on your way round - the idea being that you compete with your other relatives or friends to see who can get the most stars and be crowned King or Queen of the jungle.
Finders Keepers is running from May 28 to June 5 and is included with standard admission tickets.
To book tickets - children under 18 £27.50, adults £30 - visit the website here. The new family ticket reduces the cost for two adults and two children from £119 to £84. All tickets include free digital photos.
Dino Falls Adventure Golf, Trafford
Dino Falls is hosting its own Jubilee celebrations over the long weekend.
Visitors will be able to enjoy the delights of the Jubilee-themed cafe and bar at the adventure golf attraction from June 2 to 5 and this Thursday to Saturday there'll be free kids face painting between 11am and 3pm.
The venue, near the Trafford Centre, features a Rapids course and a Volcano course, featuring a six-metre walk-through spouting volcano.
It's the biggest adventure golf attraction outside of London and features everything from a Tyrannosaurus Rex and baby Triceratops to Velociraptors and a Diplodocus.
The site is open 7am to 10.30pm daily, with tickets costing £9 for adults, £7 for under 16s, or £28 for a family of two adults and two children. Additional children £5 each. Book online.
Alice in Wonderland trail at Knowsley Safari
Knowsley Safari promises the 'whole family will be grinning like the Cheshire Cat' this half term, with its Queen of Hearts Garden Party event.
The 'action-packed trail', full of puzzles, theatrics and photo opportunities, is running from Monday, May 30 until the Jubilee Bank Holiday on Friday, June 3.
Included in the regular Safari ticket price, a trail map will be given on entry to the Safari, with the trail operational between 11am and 5pm daily.
Guests will seek out Alice in Wonderland characters at key locations throughout the Foot Safari, where they’ll be challenged to solve riddles to earn stamps on their maps in return for fun stickers.
There'll be other fun too, including the chance to play a game of flamingo-themed croquet for £1 and for an extra £4, children can make their own crown with The Queen of Hearts, which they can take home as a memento of their special day.
Tickets cost £18.50 for adults, £15 for children, or £67 for a family and must be pre-booked on the website here.
Broad Oak Hearts Trail, Fletcher Moss Park
A popular family trail is returning to Fletcher Moss Park for half term. There are around 20 decorated hearts for families to find on the trail, which is running from May 28 until June 6 and is dedicated to Alan Hill, who was the chair of the Friends of Fletcher Moss and recently passed away.
The trail, organised by parents of Broad Oak Primary School, starts near the Alpine tea room inside the park, which opens daily 9am to 4pm. Suggested donation is £1 per sheet, with proceeds going to the Friends group.
Visit the Facebook page here for more details.
Jubilee events, Imperial War Museum North
There are lots of family events taking place at the war museum over the holidays as it marks the Queen's Jubilee.
The venue will explore the role of The Royal Family in conflict, tracing The Queen’s personal experience of war through projections of film and photography.
From May 28 to June 12 families can drop-in for the free Story Seekers sessions between 10am and 3pm. Get hands on with real artefacts and learn about the global impact of conflict, from the First World War to the present day.
See the website here for more details.
Inflata Nation, Trafford
Kids can get their bounce on at Inflata Nation over half term and bag a discount while they're at it. Bouncers at the Trafford site can get 15% off by booking in advance using the code MANCMAY22.
The inflatable theme park includes everything from a Gladiators-style duel and assault course to bouncy bubbles, a giant ball pool and thrilling drop slide. There is also a dedicated area for under-fours with a slide and ball pool. The offer is running from May 28 to June 5.
One-hour bounce sessions cost £5.99 for under-fours and £10.99 for everyone else. Tickets can be booked online.
Vitality Blast cricket festival, Emirates Old Trafford
A cricket festival kicks off at Emirates Old Trafford just in time for half term.
It's the first Vitality Blast to take place at Old Trafford since 2019 and promises fun for all the family. With kids' tickets costing from just £1 and a fiver for adults, families are expected to flock to the venue to see some of the biggest names in world cricket take centre stage.
For those new to T20 cricket, it’s essentially a shorter form of the sport – limited to 20 overs of gameplay – and has become popular with cricketing nations around the world.
With some of the fixtures taking place during half term week, families will have even more opportunity to get along to see Lancashire Lightning in action.
For more details about the event see here, or visit the website here to see the list of fixtures and to book tickets.
Workshops at Salford Museum and Art Gallery
School holiday workshops are taking place at the museum and gallery this half term.
On May 31, it's all about Victorian toys when children can discover how different toys were in the past to the ones we have today and have a go with some Victorian toys themselves. They can also take away a spinning top to decorate at home.
Then on June 1 there's a 'Decorate Your Own Armour' crafty workshop.
Take a look in The Victorian Gallery and find a painting showing a knight in a suit of armour - then have a go at decorating your own mini suit of armour.
Sessions are at 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm on both days and tickets, costing £1.50 for Victorian Toys and £3 for the Armour one, can be booked online.
Jubilee Trail, Stockport museums
Jubilee Trail will be running at all Stockport museums in the week leading up to the Jubilee weekend.
The event starts from May 30 and invites families to 'discover more about the history of the borough throughout The Queen’s reign'.
Full details have yet to be released, but keep an eye on the council's Facebook page for updates.
To keep on top of the news and events for families in Manchester, sign up to the Manchester Family newsletter here.
