Find great ideas for days out with kids in Cheshire and Greater Manchester, and the best family friendly events happening summer 2024. The Cheshire summer holiday activities guide is packed full with big family days out or smaller, local ideas.

From Stockport to Wilmslow and Macclesfield to Chester, we’ve got it all.  If you’re working and need childcare, then check out the summer holiday camps in Cheshire guide

SPOTLIGHT – COCKFIELDS FARM PARK FARMLIFE FESTIVAL

The ultimate Farm Festival comes to Cockfields Farm Park this summer. From tiny tots to young-at-heart adults, there’s something for everyone at the Farm Festival! Explore the enchanting farm park transformed into a bustling hub of excitement, with activities and attractions.  Meet the animals, get creative with crafts and jump on a tractor ride.

Cheshire Summer Activities & Events for Kids 2024

Cheshire & Manchester Indoor Summer Activities & Events

Character Meet and greets, bubble shows, foam parties and play all day at Castaway Play (Congleton)

At Castaway Play in Congleton, “Meet & Greets” are special times when characters come out to see the children. These events are very exciting for the kids because they get to meet and take photos with their favourite characters. Not only that but they’ll have bubble shows and foam party fun on the beach and of course their award winning indoor play.

Find all the best play centres from soft play to trampolining and indoor climbing,

• Teddy Trek activity trail at Congleton Museum (Congleton)
• Drop in craft activities at  Weaver Hall Museum (Northwich) FREE

Summer of Stories at Z Arts (Greater Manchester) select dates from 20th July – 24th August FREE

Join Z Arts for free family-friendly fun, including storytelling and drop in Arts and Crafts! Each week we will be inspired by and celebrate the work of a different author.  The event is free with arts and crafts as a drop in but places for storytelling to be reserved in advance.

• Out of this World Summer Fun at Jodrell Bank (Macclesfield) 23rd July – 1st September

Haphazard at Z Arts (Hulme, Manchester) 27th July FREE

A free Live Art takeover of Z-arts. Turn up at any time, come and go as you please… and expect the unexpected!  Playful, quirky, engaging, and sometimes plain daft: Haphazard is for kids and their adults, adults and their adults — anyone looking for a different day out.

• Circus Workshop at Blakemere Village (Northwich) 25th August FREE
• Giant Bubbles at Blakemere Village (Northwich) 26th August FREE

Outdoor Summer Adventures in Cheshire

Farmlife Sunset Party Nights at Cockfields Farm Park (Ashton / Oldham)

Explore Cockfields enchanting farm park as the Sunsets and transformed into a bustling hub of excitement, with activities and attractions to delight visitors of all ages. Live Music: 5.30pm – 8pm with a Mini Disco break in between

• Taylor Swift Tribute 24th August
• ABBA Attack 31st August

The Crocky Trail will be open every day over May Half Term. Packed with challenges and adventures, it’s a great fun family day out.  The special discount code has been set up through Danglebids and might look a little strange but it’s all totally verified.

CLICK HERE* TO GET 10% OFF THE CROCKY TRAIL

*this is an affiliate link which means I earn a small comission if you book through this link and you get 10% off

Dinosaurs in the Park at Heaton Park (Manchester) 19th July – 4th August

Dinosaurs in the Park: A Roaring Adventure for the Whole Family

This summer, Heaton Park in Manchester will be transformed into a prehistoric wonderland where visitors can encounter 40 life-sized, moving and roaring dinosaurs. Dinosaurs in the Park is a unique and educational event that will delight and amaze dinosaur fans of all ages.

From July 19^th to August 4^th, families can explore the park and discover dinosaurs hidden among the trees. They can marvel at the majestic Brachiosaurus, tremble at the fearsome T-Rex, and learn fascinating facts from the Dinosaur Dentist. The event also features a Dino-Fun-Zone with face painting, fossil digging and more.

Alderford Lake is the perfect destination for summer family fun- from the incredible 135 person aquapark, to paddleboard hire or a unique twist on Escape Rooms!

• Dinosaurs at Knowsley Safari (Prescot) 22nd – 26th July & 29th July – 2nd August
• Bolton Abbey welly walk (nr Skipton) running all summer
• Roman Experience at Deva Roman Discovery Centre (Chester)
• Summer of Play at Dunham Massey (Altrincham) 6th June – 8th September
• Summer Fete at Octagon Hall (Buxton) 20th – 21st July
• Exciting summer events at Knowsley Safari (Prescot) 21st July – 31st August
• Summer of Adventure at Tatton Park Farm (Knutsford) 23rd July – 23rd August
• Dubbed Out Festival (near Knutsford) 25th – 28th July
• Medieval Life at Beeston Castle (Beeston) 27th – 28th July
• Krazy Races Soapbox Derby  (Stockport) 28th July
• Farmlife Festival at Cockfields Farm Park 28th July – 1st September (Ashton / Oldham border)
• The Tale of Peter Rabbit storytelling tour at Tatton Park (Knutsford) 30th July
• Family crafts at Grosvenor Park (Chester) select dates from 30th July to 28th August FREE
• Kenyon Hall Farm Maize Maze (Warrington) from late July to end August
• Malpas PYO sunflowers and Maize Maze
• Dunham Massey Farm Ice Cream Sunflower Field Trail (Altrincham) from end July
• Rewind Festival at Capesthorne Hall (Macclesfield) 2nd – 4th August

National Play Day at Hulme Park (Manchester) 7th August FREE

Join Z Arts at Hulme Park for National Play Day. It’s a day of adventure, creativity, and endless fun for kids and families!

DevaFest 2024 at Cholmondeley Castle (Malpas) 8th – 11th August

Cheshire’s best family friendly music and food festival takes place at Cholmondeley Castle on 8th – 11th August August.  Book Deva Fest tickets for the day, weekend, camping or glamping.

• After Glow at Chester Zoo (Chester) 13th – 25th August
• Just So Festival at Rode Hall (Stoke on Trent) 16th – 18h August
• Farm Fest 2024 at Reddish Vale Farm 17th – 26th August (near Stockport)
• Pavilion Gardens August bank holiday weekend family special (Buxton) 24th – 26th August
• Clash of Knights at Beeston Castle (Beeston) 25th – 26th August
• Sunflowers at Kenyon Hall (Croft, near Warrington) from late August
• Broad Oaks Heart Trail (Didsbury) tbc
• Summer Daze at the Trafford Centre (Manchester) tbc
• Bolesworth Castle (Tattenhall, nr Chester) tbc

Family Theatre, Live Music and Puppets

Mr Toad at Buxton Opera House (Buxton) 30th – 31st August

Wise Owl Theatre bring the high-spirited and downright ludicrous tale of Mr. Toad to the Buxton Opera House stage. With Toad Hall under threat from the sly Vin Weasel, Toads insatiable need for speed could land him in serious trouble! The story is based on Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows and includes appearances from the story’s exquisitely drawn characters including Badger, Ratty and Mole. A show filled with love, laughter and heart-warming lessons in friendship, Mr Toad is the perfect family treat. The production features puppetry designs by Matthew Forbes, Associate Puppetry Director, of the National Theatre’s award-winning productions War Horse.

• Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book at The Lowry (Manchester) 23rd July – 4th August
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz outdoor theatre at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre (Chester) select days from 27th July – 22nd August
• 101 Dalmations musical at the Palace Theatre (Manchester) 30th July – 10th August
• Science Museum Live Stage Show at Lyceum Theatre (Crewe) 1st August
• In The Night Garden Live at The Storyhouse (Chester) 10th – 11th August
• In The Night Garden Live at Buxton Opera House (Buxton) 14th – 15th August
• James Richard Circus at Blakemere Village (Northwich) 21st – 26th August FREE

Summer Days Out With Kids in Cheshire & Greater Manchester

There are absolutely loads of great places to visit around Cheshire and Greater Manchester that have all been reviewed by a local Mum.  Check them out here.

If the sun’s out then it’s time to hit the beach.  There are some really fantastic beaches to explore with kids in the North West.

Best beaches within a two hour drive from Manchester

Fancy chilling out in a family friendly pub with great outdoor space? Check out my guide to the best outdoor dining pubs in Cheshire & Greater Manchester.

Who doesn’t love a fresh juicy strawberry?  Find all the best PYO farms in Cheshire.

There’s nothing better than getting outdoors with the kids for some fresh air and a good run around.  It builds up an appetite too and they sleep much better at night!  Here’s some great ideas for a family walk in Cheshire.