January

Christmas is over and kids are back to their schools and nurseries, but there is still much to do in the museums of Manchester…

1 January 2024
Winter Funland
Winter Funland is magical indoor winter wonderland experience for children.
Winterfunland tickets are all inclusive and include access to the following great attractions, all undercover at BEC Arena:
Manchester’s largest real ice ice-skating rink, a magical festival circus, a gigantic indoor funfair, Spectacular Christmas panto, Santa’s Grotto
Sessions last 4 hours
BEC Manchester
Longbridge Rd,
Trafford Park, Stretford,
Manchester M17 1SN
www.winterfunland.com

1-2 January 2024 11am – 9pm (last skate 8pm), excluding Christmas Day
Skate under the sun, moon, and stars
Whatever the weather, enjoy the festive season and skate at the new clear roofed ice rink at the enchanting Cathedral Gardens, offering an atmosphere of festivity and fairy tale for couples, families, and groups looking for some fun this winter.
Skating sessions last up to 45 minutes
The Cathedral Gardens,
Manchester, M4 3BG
www.skatemanchester.com

1 – 21 January 2024, 10am – 4pm
Jolly Robin’s Winter Walk
This spring, Dunham Massey’s Easter adventures celebrate historical connections with pets and animals. Follow the trail and find the Stables building where the much-loved Sir Oliver the horse. Find out about a very special pet parrot and feel the breeze as you run through the park like a bird in flight. Spot fallow deer with just one antler (as they ‘cast’ off their old ones) and look out for colourful butterflies when you follow the winding paths in the Winter Garden. For further adventure, head to the ‘Log Pile’ in the North Park where a natural play area can be found.
Each trail includes either a dairy or a vegan and Free From chocolate egg – both eggs are made using Rainforest Alliance certified cocoa.
Tickets: £3 per child
Dunham Massey
Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 4SJ
Tel: 0161 941 1025
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/dunham-massey/events/959de964-f473-445f-9131-ba3f9feb9a08

10 January 2024, 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Childminding information session
Do you have a passion for working with children and their families? Would you like to work from home and own your own business with a flexible role that works around your family? Childminding could be for you! There are no formal qualifications required.
The session is informal and there is the opportunity to ask questions and find out lots more about childminding. The government have committed to start-up grants of £600 for new childminders.
location: online
tel: 0161 218 1200 or 07891 949374
email: childminding@stockport.gov.uk
www.stockport.gov.uk

10-12 January 2024
Toddler Days at Eureka!
Bring your pre-schoolers along for one of toddler days designed just for pre-schoolers. There won’t be any school bookings, so all spaces (and staff) will be focused on the youngest visitors.
Eureka! The National Children’s Museum
Discovery Road,
Halifax HX1 2NE
Tel: 01422 330069
play.eureka.org.uk

13 January 2024 18.30 – 20.30
Astro Night – Kids
Calling all budding young astronomers! You are invited to join join Jodrell Bank staff for an unmissable opportunity to get started in astronomy at Jodrell Bank home of the famous Lovell Telescope.
During our fun-packed evening you will enjoy a journey around space in awesome Space Dome and you’ll be able to get hands on with telescopes and binoculars as you learn to navigate the night sky. You’ll also have the opportunity dress up as an astronaut taking your first steps on the moon and make your own comet to take home with you!
Note: observing the night sky is weather permitting
This event is recommended for families with children aged 7 – 13.
Jodrell Bank Discovery Centrer
The University of Manchester
Macclesfield Cheshire SK11 9D
Tel: 01477 571 766
Book online: www.jodrellbank.net

20 January 2024, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm
Stoller Story Sounds – The Snowbear’s Story
Musical story journeys for pre-schoolers and their grown-ups.
‘Snowbear stood up and looked at the circle of staring, waiting eyes…’ – an interactive workshop where story, drawing and music are woven into one. With a string quartet performance to top it off and extremely small violins and cellos in the mix – what could possibly go wrong?
Suitable for ages 3-5.
£5 per child, free for acompaning adult, booking required
The Stoller Hall,
Hunts Bank, Manchester M3 1DA
Tel: 0333 130 0967
www.chethamsschoolofmusic.com

22 January, 10am, 11am for toddlers, 13.45pm, 14.45pm for babies
Music Makers – Musical Christmas
Monthly music and sensory play sessions for babies and toddlers. Celebrate the magic of Christmas with your little one!
For parents with both baby and toddler, babies may attend toddler sessions. The same does not apply in reverse, as toddlers tend to be more boisterous and we want to keep the baby sessions more relaxed.
Tickets: £4.00, 1 ticket admits 1 child plus accompanying adult
Barbirolli Room,
The Bridgewater Hall,
Lower Mosley Street,
Manchester M2 3WS
Tel: 0161 907 9000
www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk