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. Bag a bargain at the Good as New Sale (Saturday October 18th)
This bi-annual Good as New Sale is a must for anyone with young children or indeed anyone who is expecting. There’s always a fantastic range of pre-loved equipment, toys and clothes for babies and children. Ever popular, there’s usually a queue before the doors open at 10 to grab the best bargains! Entry is just £1 and as well as supporting St Peter’s Toddler Group, 25% of your sales will be donated to the very worthy children’s charity, Wood Street Mission.
St Peter’s Toddler Group Baby & Todder Good as New Sale, St Peter’s Assembly Rooms, Cecil Rd, Hale, WA15 9NU. Open between 10am and 12noon.
2. Enjoy a Disney day at the Printworks (Saturday October 18th)
Hop on the tram to Manchester to join in the charity Celebration of Disney event at the Printworks in aid of the Greater Manchester £1m ChildLine Schools Service Appeal.
At 10am for a 10.30 start, there will be a screening of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day! Tickets are FREE with bucket collections on exit but pre-booking is required. To apply for tickets, email Deborah.sefton@nspcc.org.uk. Even if you don’t manage to secure tickets to the movie, there is a fantastic line-up of Disney-themed activities including a Disney Trail, competitions, a portrait photographer and Disney merchandise on sale. There will also be special guest appearances from Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Olaf (Frozen) along with singing performances from Elsa and Anna (Frozen), Belle (Beauty and the Beast) and Rapunzel (Tangled).
The Printworks, 27 Withy Grove, Manchester, M4 2BS. Open between 10am and 4pm.
3. See Chris and Pui put on a show (Sunday October 19th)
If your children are fans of CBeebies they will no doubt know Chris and Pui from the popular ‘Show Me Show Me’! This Sunday, you can take them along to see the CBeebies’ favourite double act live on stage. They will be bringing songs, rhymes, comedy sketches and there will be lots of joining in for all the family. Poor Old MacDonald has recklessly lost his animals! Please help Chris and Pui find them and meet Incy, Humpty, the Duke of York, King Cole and – “oh my woolly word!” – Little Bo Peep along the way.
Little ones are invited to bring their teddies or favourite character toys – but please hang on to them! Note that the family ticket is only available via the Box Office – call 01925 442345 to book.
CBeebies Chris and Pui Roadshow, Palmyra Square S, Warrington, Cheshire WA1 1BL. Show stars at 2pm.
4. Get Spooked at Applejacks
Billed as ‘more spooky than scary’, this is a great event for all the family with pumpkin carving and a ‘Spooky Show’, plus ghoulish characters waiting to make you jump! As well as all the Halloween activities, the usual attractions such as corn cannon, archery, jumping pillow and roller skating are included in the entrance fee.
Spooky World, Applejacks Adventure Farm, Stretton Rd, Warrington, WA4 4NW. Open between 11am and 4pm, from October 10th to November 9th.
5. Ice cream in autumn? Yes please!
Whatever the weather, ice cream is always a big hit with the kids and this gorgeous farm and tea room down the road in Knutsford is well worth a visit! The baby cows are adorable and there’s a small barn with fun tyre swings and a couple of little slides for the children to enjoy. The cosy tea room serves lovely lunches along with a delicious selection of the finest quality ice cream, coffee and cakes. Service is very friendly and for chilly days, try to bag the comfy seats by the log burner!
Seven Sisters Ice Cream Parlour & Tea Rooms, Holmes Chapel Road, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 9ER. Open between 10.30am and 5pm, Wednesday to Sunday.
