Free things to do in Manchester with toddlers

There are so many free things to do in Manchester with toddlers. I’ve included things to do for free in Greater Manchester. Some of these things are in the city centre and some are in the surrounding towns. I’ve not taken into account travel costs or parking costs but these are the places with free admission. Find more great Family days out in the North West here.

The Lookout at The Lowry

The lookout area of The Lowry has an activity room and a small soft play area that can be used for free. They run activities in the week for under 5s including little creatives and baby playtime. Find out more and book a session here – Little Creatives | Workshops | The Lowry

Manchester Museum

The recently reopened Manchester Museum has some incredible exhibits mainly to do with animals and ancient history which little ones will find fascinating. 

Manchester Central Library

Manchester Central Library has an incredible children’s library that has books perfect for toddlers to enjoy. This is a great way to pass some time in the city centre. 

Many libraries have regular weekly sessions (term time only) for babies and young children featuring stories, rhymes and songs. Find your nearest library and see what they have available to you.

Little northerners at The Great Northern Warehouse

Right opposite the cinema box office is a tiny little play space with a teepee, small wooden Montessori climbing set, dolls house, books and play kitchen. They also have events for little ones.

Science and Industry museum Manchester

This is another free museum with lots for children of all ages and they have a few small areas for toddlers. They also run free and low cost term time activities for under 5s. Find our review here – Science and Industry museum Manchester.

Runway Visitor Park

What toddler is not aeroplane mad? Even if they don’t show much interest the Runway Visitor Park is still a great place to take little ones. Here they can enjoy a wonderful playground and you can watch the aeroplanes take off and land. 

Manchester police museum

They are open most Tuesdays and run events for families including in half term. They also ‘Dinky Detectives’ group, suitable for preschoolers and toddlers. Drop in from 11.00 – 12.00 or 1.30 – 2.30 in the AV room for play, craft and story time. Find out more and check opening times here – Greater Manchester Police.

Wythenshawe park community farm

This is a small working farm in the heart of the park (not far from the playground). They have cows, sheep, pigs, ducks and horses.

Find out more here – Community Farm

Heaton park animal centre

Another free place to see lots of animals is the animal centre at Heaton park. You can see lots of farmyard animals like chickens, geese, pigs and goats. They also have alpacas and tortoises. It’s worth noting you can’t feed or pet the animals.

Find out more here – Animal centre

City Airport Barton

This is another place where you can take your toddler to watch planes for free. Again there is also a nice play area which in includes airport themed play equipment including a control tower.

Find out more here – Discover City Airport, Eccles

Z-Arts

Z-Arts is a fantastic place to take young children. Did you know that they have a children’s library too with loads of free activities for under 5s? I have written a full guide to Z-Arts Manchester here.

Find out what’s on and book your free session here – What’s on at Z-arts

Bolton Aquarium

Did you know there is a free aquarium in Bolton? You don’t get many free ones so this is definitely somewhere to take your toddlers to see lots of fish.

Find out more here – Aquarium – Bolton Libraries and Museums

Salford museum

There are plenty of sensory experiences for toddlers in the Salford museum. They also have a nursery rhyme trail in the Victorian gallery.

Keep an eye out for events for under 5s too. Find out more here – Under 5’s – Salford Museum & Art Gallery

Portland Basin museum

This free museum (with free parking too) has exhibits where you can step back in time to the 1920s. There is an educational play area “Nuts and bolts” which is suitable for under 5s.

Find out more here – Portland Basin Museum

The Whitworth

The Whitworth run loads of free family events including some specifically for toddlers.

Art baby – On the first Friday of the month (term time only) there is a free sensory play session.

Play days – This is a space for under 5s. The creativity space is packed full of huge tubes and pipes, big boxes, crates, large reels, tyres and lots more, creating a world of endless possibilities to explore and create. Second Friday of each month – term time only.

Outdoor art club – for children of all ages, these sessions encourage free play and exploring nature outdoors. They include water play, mud and much more. Make sure your toddler is dressed for the weather and don’t forget the spare clothes for afterwards!

Find out more about all of these events here – Whitworth Art Gallery

Visit a park

There are loads of parks in Manchester and they’re all free to visit.

There are loads of great parks in Manchester. Here are some suggestions in case you are looking to try a new one.

• Wythenshaw park,
• Heaton park, it’s possible to have a full day out here. There’s plenty of space to walk, two great children’s play areas, cafes, a tram museum, an animal centre (free), a boating lake and more.
• Alexandra park, Stockport
• Bruntwood Park, Cheadle. Bike tracks, woodland walks and a huge play park with something for all ages.
• Bramham hall park
• Mayfield Park, Manchester

Find the best parks in Manchester here.

RHS Bridgewater

If you live in Salford, you can visit RHS Bridgewater for free on Tuesdays until May 2024. They have some lovely pram-friendly paths and a fantastic play area, including plenty for toddlers. Find out more here – Visiting RHS Bridgewater with kids.

Go for a walk

Find the best Pram friendly walks Manchester here. These walks are also perfect for little legs if your toddler wants to walk.

So there are my ideas for free things to do in Manchester with toddlers. Do you know any more I need to add to this list?

Where to next?

There are loads more free things to do in Manchester with kids of all ages.

If you don’t mind spending a bit of money, here are loads more things to do in Manchester with a toddler

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