Steph Smith, who manages the Hale, Altrincham and Sale area for Mums in the Know, chooses five great things to do with the kids over the next week.
1. Snap up a seat for the Crocodile Joe show at the Runway Visitor Park (Saturday August 30th)
Manchester Airport’s Runway Visitor Park is a fun place to visit with the family. Even if you’re not jetting off to somewhere exotic yourself, the kids often find it exciting to take a front row seat and watch the planes take-off. There’s also an adventure play area, a restaurant with a view like no other and you can even take a guided tour of BA’s flagship Concorde! This Saturday, the kids can also enjoy Crocodile Joe’s Wild World show which will be on throughout the day at 1000, 1130, 1330 and 1500. All you need to do is book a FREE ticket on arrival at the park – but get there early as tickets do get booked up!
The Runway Visitor Park, Sunbank Lane, Altrincham, WA15 8XQ. Call the Runway Visitor Park on 0161 489 3932 or visit the website
2. Enjoy a free family fun day at the Cresta Court (Sunday August 31st)
The Cresta Court hotel in Altrincham is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and, to mark the occasion, is hosting a FREE Community Funday for families this Sunday. The fun lasts from 11am to 3pm – and there will be plenty to keep all members of the family entertained, both indoors and outside, so no need to worry about the weather forecast. There will be lots of stalls, games and activities with highlights including a One Direction tribute band, carousel, bungee trampolines, golf, korfball, facepainting, hog roast, ice creams, crepes and much more! This event is in aid of Forever Manchester, the Community Foundation for Greater Manchester.
Best Western Cresta Court Hotel, Church Street, Altrincham, WA14 4DP. Contact the hotel on 0161 927 2613 or visit the website
3. Settle back for a Disney classic at the cinema
There’s nothing like seeing a classic family movie on the ‘big screen’! Along with all the latest releases, Altrincham’s Vue Cinema is playing host to “Disney Days” where, for just £2.95 per ticket, you can take the family along to see an old favourite. Showtimes are 11am and listings to date include: The Incredibles, Saturday 30 August; Tangled, Sunday 31st August; Up, Monday 1st September and The Lion King, Tuesday 2nd September. Perfect way to round off the summer hols!
Vue Cinema, Denmark Street, Altrincham, WA14 2WG. See the cinema’s website for timings.
4. Get lost in Alice’s Maize – or just have a tea party!
We love Red House Farm in Dunham Massey, not least because of its award-winning tea rooms! There is still time to enjoy the annual summer activities at the farm which will be running daily until Tuesday, September 2nd, and then will be open to enjoy during the weekends in September. This year’s Maize Maze takes its inspiration from the children’s classic story Alice in Wonderland, and is designed around the ‘White Rabbit’. The farm’s great summer attractions also include the ever-popular barrel train, climbing wall, inflatable slide and bouncy castles, trampolines, straw mountain and even laser quest. The paths of the maze are sufficiently wide to accommodate wheelchairs and buggies, although of course it easier to negotiate on drier days. Dogs are welcome as long as they are kept on a lead and cleaned up after. There is free onsite parking and plenty of refreshments available.
Red House Farm, Dunham Massey, WA14 5RL. The Maize Maze is open daily, 10am to 6pm (with last entry at 5pm), until September 2nd. It is also open for weekends throughout September. Prices are £3 for two to three-year-olds (under 2s go free), £6.95 for adults and children and £24.50 for a group of 4. See the farm’s website for more information.
And if you feel like venturing a little further afield…
5. Take a trip down memory lane at The Lowry (running until October 12th)
Bill & Ben, Muffin the Mule, Andy Pandy, Teletubbies, Crackerjack, Newsround, Blue Peter… our childhoods have been defined by the broadcasts we first encountered as children. This major exhibition, Here’s One We Made Earlier, explores the story of over 90 years of BBC Children’s broadcasting, from 1922, when the BBC launched Children’s Hour, right up to the present multimedia moment. Fun, engaging, interactive, and full of famous presenters past and present, Here’s One We Made Earlier will reflect shifting perceptions of children in society, from toddlers who were asked to ‘sit comfortably’ in front of the family wireless, to today’s children who take centre stage on air and online. Enjoy!
The Lowry Art & Entertainment Centre, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ. See the Lowry’s website for more information.
