40+ Things to do in Manchester for teenagers (and tweens)

It can be a lot harder to find days out that all the family will enjoy as kids get older. There are loads of things to do in Manchester for teenagers (and tweens) though. Here are 40+ fun activities for teenagers in the Manchester area. It’s such a great city. Find more days out North West here – Family days out North West.

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This post includes loads of ideas for Manchester City Centre and the surrounding areas of Greater Manchester (Rochdale, the Trafford Centre etc). I’ve included loads of sporty ideas, ideas for teens & tweens who love a bit of culture, gaming experiences and a few ideas that are really unique ideas too. I hope you find some ideas for your next day out with older kids.

We visit Manchester City centre often and love exploring Greater Manchester too. As my children are getting older now (I have a tween and a young teen, I also have a 15 year old nephew), these are the days out and activities we recommend. Some of these are also recommendations from the readers of my Facebook page.

Immersive and Instagrammable experiences teens love

Bubble Planet Manchester

When – Now until the end of August 2026

This is a really cool new attraction that has opened in Depot Mayfield. This is a really unique and immersive experience for all ages. Teenagers will love all the virtual reality and photo opportunities through out the 10 different themed rooms.

Although you won’t be here for more than a couple of hours, it is a really fun experience that not only will teens enjoy but every one else in the family too.

Book here – Bubble Planet

Luminesce Manchester

When – until 5th June 2026

This is a unique 360° walk-through immersive experience celebrating the music, story and culture of Manchester. It’s perfect for teens that love light shows, music and culture.

Book here – Luminesce

Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City

When – Until the end of April 2026

Does your teen love history? This virtual reality experience is a great trip if they do. This experience takes you back 450 years to the heart of the ancient Inca Empire in stunning virtual reality. You’ll climb the breathtaking peaks of the Andes, wander through the Temple of the Sun, walk the famed terraces, and uncover the secrets of this awe-inspiring citadel. A real one of a kind experience.

Book here – Machu Picchu

The Mystery of Banksy

When – From the 13th March – 28th June 2026

This exhibition is great for teens who love art. This immersive exhibition celebrates the art of the world’s most elusive street artist. Wander through around 200 brilliantly recreated pieces that echo Banksy’s unmistakable style and attitude.

Book here – The Mystery of Banksy

Factory international at Aviva Studios

From the team behind Manchester International Festival, it has quickly become one of the most-talked about cultural venues in Manchester and there are often events that will appeal to tweens and teens who love art, music, theatre or just want to experience somethings a bit different.

Find out what’s on now and what’s coming up here – Factory international What’s on

Museum of illusions Manchester

The museum of illusions is right in the heart of Manchester (opposite the Arndale Centre) so it’s great of combining with a bit of shopping or other city centre activities.

There are lots of different illusions, both big and small to experience and many opportunities to take some really unique photos!

I tested out the museum of Illusions with my tweens last summer. We all loved it but it’s not particularly big so I wouldn’t expect to be here a lot longer than 1-2 hours.

Book here – Museum of Illusions

Sporty days out

Football stadium tours

There are two major football teams in Manchester, so whether they are a fan of the red side or the blue side, the stadium tours are always a fun experience for fans of the beautiful game. Teenagers will enjoy the history and also a chance to be in the player’s dressing room at a premier league stadium. These have to be some of the best places to take young people who love Manchester football teams.

Check out the website for Etihad Manchester City tours here – Manchester City Stadium Tour

For Manchester United’s old Strafford tours here – Museum & Stadium Tours at Old Trafford

National Football Museum

Following on from the stadium tours, a visit to the National Football Museum is another must for any teens who are football fans. There are lots of exhibitions to explore with loads of interactive elements for all ages to enjoy.

Book here – National Football Museum

Projeckts MCR Skate Park 

If your teenager is into skating, skateboarding or roller skating then this is a great place to go. A skate park that has different sessions dedicated to different things as well as a chance to enjoy a skatepark experience. You can also book coaching sessions so a great chance for you and them to take up a new hobby. 

Fid out more here – Projekts MCR _Skatepark

Greystone action sports

If your teen loves action sports, they’ll be spoilt for choice at Greystone action sports. They can choose from skateboarding, bouldering, inline scooters, trampolines, snowboarding and more!

See the full range of options here – Graystone Action Sports

Go paddle boarding

Find 10 ideas for places to go paddle boarding near Manchester here.

Teamsport Indoor Karting 

Go Karting is another fun way that parents and teenagers can enjoy together. Get competitive and race around the track to see who wins the race or comes out with the best time. 

Find more details here – Team Karting

The snow centre, Manchester (formerly chill factore)

How about skiing or snowboarding instead? You don’t need to leave the country for that. In Trafford, you can head to the snow centre which is an indoor snow slope where you can book lessons or time on the slopes to enjoy skiing without having to travel too far. Ideal if you want to learn new skills together and get your teenager interested in a new hobby. 

Find out more here – The Snow Centre Manchester | The Snow Centre

Rock climbing

Rock climbing is another activity you will want to do with older kids and teenagers will love the chance to enjoy something a little different. You can do it all together or let them go wild while you relax and enjoy watching them do something a bit different. Rock climbing is a great way to get teenagers exercising and using their minds to plan routes and concentrate on the climb.

Manchester offers a variety of options for teenage rock climbers. These facilities have routes for climbers of all skill levels, from beginner to expert.

• Rock Over Climbing
• Depot Climbing
• Summit Up Climbing Centre & Clip ‘n Climb
• Rock up Manchester

Ice skating

My eldest daughter loves ice skating at Planet Ice Altrincham but there are also some fantastic pop-up seasonal rinks in the winter months. Planet Ice is great as it means you don’t need to wait for the winter months if you love ice skating.

Find all the places to ice skate in the North west here (including seasonal rinks).

Trampolining

My daughters love trampoline parks. There are two great options in Manchester.

Oxygen Media City – this has only been open since February 2025. There are 24 + trampolines, Parkour style stunt area, inflatables and a giant air bag. the sky rider is particularly fun and unique for teens and tweens. Book here – Oxygen Media City

Flip Out Manchester (right next to the Etihad stadium) – There are so many activities for tweens and younger teens here including trampolines, Ninja obstacle course and wipe out, huge drop slides and a laser maze. Book here – Flip Out

Gaming, VR & arcades

Immersive Gamebox

This is an experience like nothing else. Situated in the Arndale Centre in Manchester city centre, you can enjoy an immersive gaming experience either as part of a group or individually. You will be fully immersed in the chosen interactive games where tracking, motion mapping, and interactive touch screens will give you a fun experience like nothing else. 

Find full details here – Immersive Gamebox

Chaos karts

This experiences combines Go-karting and video games for an immersive gaming experience.

You need to be at least 11 years old and 5ft (1.5m) to play.

Full details and book here – The Ultimate Go-Karting Experience | Chaos Karts

Shuffleboard and boom battle bar

For kids aged 11 upwards and their adults (note the venue is 18 years and over only after 7 pm), this is a great fun activity.

Find out more – Shuffleboard

Laser tag

Manchester Trafford Centre’s Lazer Tag is a great option for teenagers looking for an exciting and action-packed activity. The Lazer Tag arena is a state-of-the-art facility that offers an immersive and thrilling experience for players. With its high-tech equipment, music, fog and special lighting, the arena creates a truly authentic and engaging battlefield experience.

Find out more here – Laser Quest Trafford Centre

Escape rooms & street hunt games

If your kids love mysteries and games as much as my kids do, then you need to check out some of these ideas.

Race across the world Manchester

Does your teen enjoy watching Race across the world? If so then have you seen that you can take part in your vary own race across the world in Manchester. It’s a great activity to do as a family as you’ll all be working together, you’ll visit parts of Manchester you might not have visited ordinarily and you’ll have great fun solving challenges and planning routes.

Find out more and book here – Race across the world Manchester

Escape Hunt Manchester

Escape rooms are such a fun experience for the whole family. You can work together as a team to crack the different challenges and escape before your time is up. Perfect if you want to bring the family together and get your teenagers away from their screens.  

Find out more here – Escape Hunt Manchester

The Crystal Maze Experience 

The Crystal Maze was an iconic 90s show but now you can take on the challenges as a team at the Crystal Maze Experience. A great day out if you have older children and want to come together as a family to bond while working out different challenges.

Find out more here – The Crystal Maze Manchester

Challenge point Manchester

This is an interactive game show experience. It’s a combination of your favourite classic TV game shows, throw in a Mission Impossible style laser maze, an insane crazy golf course, and some remote control tanks in Tokyo and up to £4,000 worth of prizes for the top scoring teams.

Suitable for everyone over 6 years old.

Find out more here – Challenge Point Manchester

Breakout Manchester

If you like the idea of an escape room but you have an older teenager then Breakout Manchester might be the one for you. It is suitable for adults and children over 10 years old.

Find out more here – Live Escape Room Game – Breakout Manchester

Streethunt Games

Manchester City Centre becomes your game board in this interactive street hunt. We love a treasure hunt for getting our kids to walk without realising! It also means we find things that we might not have otherwise.

There are two different Manchester hunts to choose from, both starting in different parts of the city centre, and they’re suitable for ages 10+, making them ideal for tweens and teens alike.

Find out more and book here – Streethunt

Play crazy golf

Treetop Adventure Golf

Maybe they like the idea of a game of golf and the Treetop Adventure Golf is perfect for all ages. Ideal if you have a family with teenagers and younger children. You can choose from different courses and enjoy the challenges and the competitiveness that will inevitably take place. Hopefully, this is one where the whole family will have a great time.

Full details here –Treetop Adventure Golf

You can find all the places to play crazy golf in Manchester here.

Dino falls Manchester

This is another great adventure golf near the Trafford Centre. This is such a fun family adventure. We love this one for tweens.

Find our review of Dino Falls Adventure Golf Manchester here.

Paradise Island golf

Paradise Island Adventure Golf offers two 18-hole courses with tropical themes, complete with waterfalls, caves, and bridges. The courses are challenging enough to keep teenagers engaged, but not too difficult that they become frustrated. Paradise Island Adventure Golf is a great spot for teenagers to spend time with friends or family and enjoy some friendly competition.

Find out more here – Mini Golf Manchester

Putt stars Rochdale

Putt Stars Rochdale is a mini-golf course that offers a fun and exciting activity for teens. Choose from 3 9-hole courses of challenging and colourful mini-golf, with obstacles and hazards. The course is designed to be both challenging and fun, appealing to both experienced mini-golfers and those new to the game. The attraction is open all year round, providing a good option for entertainment regardless of the weather. With a variety of food and drink options, Putt Stars Rochdale is a great place to spend an afternoon or evening with teens.

Find out more here – Mini Golf at Puttstars

Putters – Urban playground

At Putters, you’ll find 3 9 hole tech-infused mini golf courses. There are live scoreboards showing each player’s points, you’ll also find on-screen animations and audio bringing every hole to life. A really high-tech way of playing crazy golf that is sure to appeal to tech-loving teens.

Find out more here – Crazy Golf Manchester

Visit Museums

Some teenagers love the opportunity to challenge themselves mentally or learn new things and so museums are always going to be a good option. My tweens/teen still love a museum. Manchester and Greater Manchester have many options. I have listed a few that you may want to consider. 

Science and Industry Museum

The museum of science and industry is always a good option for teenagers. With lots of exhibitions and interactive setups, you can enjoy ad learn all there is to know about the history of science and industry, specifically in the local area. My kids love science and as such still love the top floor of this museum. They also love gaming so Power up is fantastic.

Teens will particularly enjoy the interactive gaming exhibit – Power up

Find the full details here – Science and Industry museum Manchester

Manchester Art Gallery

If they are particularly creative then they will love a trip to the Manchester Art Gallery. Filled with beautiful exhibits with art from all backgrounds and creatives. 

Find full details here – Manchester art gallery 

The People’s History Museum

This is a really interesting museum sharing a collection, interpretations and conservation surrounding the history of working people in the UK. There is so much to explore and understand here and could be very interesting for teenagers to grasp careers and past working experiences. 

Find full details here – People’s History Museum 

The Lowry

You have theatres here putting on shows throughout the year that could be interesting to attend but there is also the famous art gallery housing some of the best pieces from L.S. Lowry. As well as temporary exhibitions that change.

If your teenager enjoys theatre, they also put on loads of great productions throughout the year.

Find full details here – The Lowry

Salford Museum and Art Gallery

Another interesting museum focusing on local art, history, and also a collection of art and information from the Victorian period. 

Find out more here – Salford Museum & Art Gallery

Imperial War Museum North

A great museum to visit especially if your teenager has any interest in past wars. Lots of interesting things to see and exhibits to explore. 

Find out more here – Imperial War Museums

Whitworth art gallery

Another great art gallery to visit if your teenager loves art is Whitworth Art Gallery.

Go to a music gig

Many teenagers are music lovers and enjoy live performances by their favourite artists. There’s always some live entertainment suitable for teenagers going on in Manchester.

Find out what’s on and book tickets here – Gigs & Concerts in Manchester

Tenpin bowling

Tenpin bowling is a fun activity for all the family, whatever the weather. There are multiple locations for bowling across Manchester including:

• Tenpin Manchester Printworks
• Tenpin Blackburn
• Tenpin Manchester Parrs Wood
• Tenpin Rochdale
• Hollywood Bowl Manchester
• Namco Funscape – The Trafford Centre

King pin

You’ll find more than just ten pin bowling here. There’s also duck pin bowling, ice-free curling, shuffleboard, arcade games and so much more.

There is one at the Trafford centre and a new one in Manchester Arndale too.

Find out more here – Welcome To King Pins Bowling

Cinema trip

The cinema offers a great opportunity for teens to escape from everyday stresses and immerse themselves in a different world for a few hours. It can be a great way for teenagers to relax, unwind and forget about their problems for a little while. There’s something for all tastes too. From action-packed blockbusters to heartwarming dramas, the cinema offers something for everyone.

There are loads of cinema’s across Manchester and I’m sure you’ll find a film that your teenagers will love.

Theatre trip

There are some great theatre shows for older kids and teens. Here’s what you can book for 2026.

• Matilda the Musical. Palace Theatre Manchester. 26th March to 25th April 2026.
• Legally Blonde the musical, Opera House, Manchester, 3rd – 14th November 2026.
• Malory Towers. HOME. 2nd – 13th June 2026

Find more kids theatre shows Manchester here.

Active & adrenaline days out

Treetop trek, Heaton park

Tree Top Trek Manchester is an outdoor adventure park that offers a thrilling experience for teens. The park features a series of high rope courses, zip lines, and obstacles that are suspended in the treetops. The park also provides an opportunity for teens to develop their balance, coordination, and problem-solving skills. Safety is a top priority, and all participants are provided with full safety gear and instructed on proper techniques before embarking on their journey. Tree Top Trek Manchester is a great way for teens to challenge themselves physically and mentally, while also enjoying the natural beauty of the forest. It also provides a great opportunity for teens to bond with friends and family while tackling the obstacles together.

Find out more here – Full Trek Manchester | Zip World

Skydiving (Ifly)

If you like the idea of doing something different then why not give skydiving a go? Not literally, but you can head to Ifly which gives you the experience of skydiving inside a vertical wind tunnel. You can do it with your teenager or take turns to enjoy the experience. Definitely, a day out to remember. 

Find out more here – iFLY: Indoor Skydiving

Total Ninja, Manchester

Total Ninja Manchester is a fun and challenging obstacle course for teens in Manchester, England. The course features a variety of obstacles such as rope swings, cargo nets, balance beams, and more that are designed to test strength, agility, and endurance.

Book here – Total Ninja

Shopping and city centre areas to explore

Trafford Centre

Fancy a little retail therapy? Then why not head to the Trafford Centre? One of the largest indoor shopping centres in the UK, you can enjoy not only the fabulous shops, but there is a cinema, arcade, bowling, golf, and lots of restaurants for places to eat. Lots to see and do here. 

Find out more here – Trafford Centre

Tour the street art of the Northern Quarter

If your teenager enjoys street art there are some amazing ones to see in the Northern Quarter. There are lots of cool shops (particularly Afflecks) and cafes to browse and eat in. It’s always useful to have some ideas for free things to do.

Alpaca walking

If your teen loves animals then alpaca walking might be a fantastic experience for them. Find out where to go alpaca walking near Manchester here.

Where to eat with teenagers in Manchester

A great day out always needs great food, and Manchester has loads of cool places that teens will love. Here are a few spots that work really well with teenagers:

Afflecks, Northern Quarter — Before or after exploring the Northern Quarter’s street art, pop into Afflecks itself. This four-floor emporium of eclectic indie retailers and it also has cafés and food stalls inside. Teens who love alternative fashion, vintage, and pop culture could spend hours here. Animaid Café inside Afflecks is a fun and quirky stop that teens enjoy. Find out more here – Affleck’s

Northern Quarter independents — The Northern Quarter is probably the most teen-friendly area of Manchester for food. Mackie Mayor is fantastic as everyone can order different types of food if they want. It’s a brilliant option when the family can’t agree on what to eat, as everyone can order from different traders under one roof. There are loads more places to choose from in the Northern Quarter.

Trafford Centre food court — If you’re heading to Flip Out or the Snow Centre, the Trafford Centre has every chain restaurant option going, so there’s something for even the fussiest eater!

More things to do in Manchester for families

• Find all the Free things to do in Manchester with kids here. There are loads of ways to enjoy a day out in Manchester for free.
• Find all the best parks in Manchester here. Some of them have areas that teenagers will enjoy like skate parks.
• Fancy travelling a little further? Liverpool is a great city to visit with teens. Find loads of things to do in Liverpool for teenagers here.

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