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. Take a Trip to the Roaring Twenties at Lyme Park (Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th December)
Experience the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of a magical Christmas at Lyme in the beautiful courtyard. As part of the Roaring Twenties winter exhibition, each weekend there’s a themed special event. Get behind the scenes of the BBC’s ‘The Village’, set in the roaring twenties. See stunning costumes, vintage motor cars and enjoy the sounds of the jazz age. Take in the locations used for filming on a guided walk 2-3pm. £7 per car, NT members free access to the estate. The rest of Lyme Hall will be closed for winter conservation. Call 01663 762023 for more information.
Open: 11am to 3pm
2. Explore the Wonders of Light at MOSI (until January 4th)
Discover the wonders of light this winter and explore the magical, creative ways it can brighten up our worlds with a host of FREE, illuminating shows and activities at the Museum of Science & Industry. Witness crazy electrical inventions from the past, enjoy light-themed storytelling and create a unique piece of light craft to take home and brighten up dark, wintry days in a bright and bumper family friendly programme which runs up until 4 Jan (closed 1 Jan). For more info click here.
Open: 11am to 4.30pm
3. It’s a date! at Quarry Bank (Monday 29th to Wednesday 31st December)
Make and decorate your own calendar for the year ahead. Free event (normal admission charges apply).
Open: 12pm to 3pm
4. Nature Discovery activities at Manchester Museum (Saturday 27th to Tuesday 30th December)
Explore the newly opened Nature Discovery gallery and Siberia: At the Edge of the World exhibition. Be inspired by the Museum’s collections and create paper cut Christmas and Thank you cards or New Year’s calendars.
Open: 11am to 4pm
5. James & the Giant Peach at the Waterside Arts Centre (until January 3rd)
This stage performance of the Roald Dahl favourite promises lots of fun for the whole family, especially children aged 5-10 years. James Trotter’s Mum and Dad were eaten by an escaped rhinoceros, so he lives with his Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker – truly the most hideous aunts in England. Then a mysterious old man gives James a bag of very, very strong magic – perhaps his life will get better after all. But James drops the bag and the magic spills under an old tree. All appears to be lost until, on the tree, a single peach begins to grow… and grow… and grow and soon extraordinary things start to happen. Running time is 1 hour 45 minutes including interval. For tickets click here.
Waterside Arts Centre, Sale, M33 7ZF
