Indoor Things to Do with Kids in Manchester: Soft Play & More

When the forecast turns wet, Manchester has plenty to fall back on. Soft play, trampolines, climbing walls, museums and cinemas are spread across the city centre, the Trafford Centre area and further out, so you can usually find something that suits the ages in your group. Below, venues are grouped by type to help you plan a day or a half-day.

Soft play, bounce and ninja courses

For younger children who need to burn off energy, start here.

• Inflata Nation Manchester is described as Britain's largest inflatable theme park, with slides, obstacle courses and climbing zones. It is rated 4.2 from 3,063 Google reviews and has on-site dining.
• Play Factore is a large Trafford Park venue for ages 0-12, with what it bills as the world's highest play structure and several indoor adventure zones.
• Total Ninja is a ninja warrior park with 11 runs and inflatable zones. It suits children of different abilities and is rated 4.4 from 1,776 Google reviews.
• Bounce Central UK has more than 90 interconnected trampolines, plus a separate soft play area for little ones. There is onsite dining and parking, and it is rated 4.7 from 1,258 Google reviews.

Active and sporty days out

Climbing and laser tag

Rock Over Climbing at Clarence Hatworks is an indoor climbing centre with an onsite restaurant and parking, rated 4.7 from 1,199 Google reviews. Laser Quest Manchester Trafford Centre runs its laser tag arena in the Trafford Centre's Dome and is rated 4.5 from 704 Google reviews.

Adventure golf

Crazy golf is an easy choice for mixed ages, and several courses are indoors.

• Putters Manchester at Urban Playground is in the Arndale, with refreshments and wheelchair access throughout. It is rated 4.7 from 1,924 Google reviews.
• Dino Falls Adventure Golf is an 18-hole, fully accessible course with a prehistoric theme, rated 4.6 from 1,814 Google reviews.
• Treetop Golf Manchester has 18 jungle-themed holes at The Printworks, with pushchair-friendly routes and refreshments on site.

Creative and puzzle-based activities

If your children would rather make or solve something, The Pottery is a hands-on studio where families craft their own ceramics. It is rated 5.0 from 128 Google reviews and has baby changing facilities. For a team challenge, Breakout Manchester is an escape room where you work together against the clock to crack codes and solve puzzles in themed rooms. It is rated 4.7 from 991 Google reviews.

Museums and aquariums

Manchester's museums are a good option for a calmer part of the day, and several have a restaurant or picnic space on site.

• Science and Industry Museum has hands-on displays on how industry shaped our world, along with a restaurant and picnic areas. It is rated 4.4 from 20,799 Google reviews.
• Manchester Art Gallery on Mosley Street spans three storeys and 21 galleries of art and design. It has a restaurant and full accessibility, and is rated 4.6 from 11,423 Google reviews.
• Imperial War Museum North is a waterside museum with powerful exhibitions and an onsite restaurant. It is rated 4.6 from 8,397 Google reviews.
• National Football Museum Manchester lets young fans try penalty shoot-outs and live commentary booths. It is rated 4.3 from 7,791 Google reviews.
• SEA LIFE Manchester at the Trafford Centre has a walkthrough ocean tunnel and hands-on rockpool experiences. It is rated 4.0 from 5,228 Google reviews.
• The Peoples History Museum in Spinningfields covers Britain's labour and social history, with onsite dining and picnic-friendly spaces. It is rated 4.5 from 3,806 Google reviews.
• Museum of Illusions Manchester has interactive exhibits that challenge perception, with plenty of photo opportunities. It is rated 4.7 from 2,717 Google reviews.

Rainy-day classics: bowling and cinemas

Bowling

Lane7 Manchester is rated 4.8 from 4,488 Google reviews. Namco Funscape Manchester at the Trafford Centre combines bowling lanes with arcade games, pool and table tennis, plus an onsite restaurant. Tenpin Parrs Wood offers bowling, arcade games and laser tag, with an onsite restaurant and free parking.

Cinemas

• Vue Manchester Printworks has 23 screens, wheelchair access, onsite parking and snacks. It is rated 4.3 from 6,965 Google reviews.
• ODEON Manchester Trafford Centre has 20 screens and 3D showings, and is rated 4.2 from 5,552 Google reviews.
• ODEON Manchester Great Northern is a 16-screen cinema on Deansgate with wheelchair access and snacks, rated 4.0 from 4,261 Google reviews.

Tips for an indoor day out

• Book weekend and school-holiday slots ahead where booking is offered, as wet days are busy.
• Check the venue's own page for current opening times before you set off.
• Soft play centres often ask for socks, so pack a spare pair for each child.
• Pair one active venue with one calmer one, such as trampolines in the morning and a museum or film after lunch.
• Take a change of clothes and a bag for wet coats and shoes.