Easter 2022: things to do with kids in Manchester from Easter egg hunts to Trafford Centre fairground

The Easter holidays will invariably have parents searching for things to do to keep children entertained during their fortnight-long break from the classroom.

Easter holidays in Manchester schools run from Monday 4 April to Monday 18 April 2022 inclusive this year.

Fortunately, anyone looking for family-friendly activities in Manchester during the break is spoiled for choice.

Whether it’s something purely fun or educational, there is a huge list of things to do for youngsters of all ages, ranging from the traditional Easter Egg trails and hunts to events celebrating the city’s culture or history.

Here’s our suggestions for some days out and events to ensure a memorable Easter holiday.

Banner Bingo at the People’s History Museum

Manchester’s museum of democracy and working-class history situated not far from Salford Central train station is hoping to bring budding radicals of all ages through the door with its Easter holiday activity.

Banner Bingo involves searching for 26 banners located throughout the museum’s exhibitions and finding the images on them which are also to be found on the card.

There are two difficulty levels of cards to ensure younger visitors can have a go as well.

Like traditional bingo, finding all the images on one line gets you a ‘line’, while filling out the entire card means you have a ‘house’.

The museum will be open seven days a week during the Easter period (the weeks commencing 4, 11 and 18 April).

Easter activities programme

Manchester City Council is also putting on a programme of activities during the Easter holidays which is particularly aimed at ensuring cash-strapped families and their youngsters are not left out.

Children who receive free school meals will be able to join the holiday activity scheme with fun things to do available across the city in schools, youth centres, adventure playgrounds and parks.

A wide range of activities will be on offer, from sports and adventure play to arts sessions and time focused on wellbeing, and each session will also include healthy snacks to help keep energy levels up and to help make sure no-one is going hungry while schools are closed for the holidays.

Eligible children and young people will be invited through their schools or youth providers to take part. Parents will then need to pre-book their child onto their chosen activity sessions.

A farm’s famous Easter Egg hunt returns

Reddish Vale Farm’s famous Easter Egg hunt is back for 2022 and runs from 2 April to 18 April.

Children can grab their basket from the barn and head out into the Easter Village. If they manage to find four eggs of the same colour they can return to the barn and pick up a sweet Easter treat.

In addition a golden egg will be hidden every hour with special prizes to be claimed for eagle-eyed youngsters who spot them.

Children can also meet, feed and cuddle an array of adorable animals, enjoy the outdoor adventure play area with zip wires, take a tractor ride along the nature trail and have a delicious ice cream.

Tickets for the Easter Egg hunt need to be booked online.

Head down the rabbit hole into Wonderland at Wythenshawe Hall Gardens

Youngsters can take a trip down the rabbit hole into the fabulous world of Alice in Wonderland at Wythenshawe Hall Gardens.

The characters of Lewis Carroll’s famous fantasy novel, including Alice, the Queen of Hearts, Absolem the Caterpillar and the White Rabbit, will be in the gardens on Easter Monday, 18 April.

Visitors are encouraged to dress up and join in the mayhem as the characters lead them this way and that through the hall’s gardens for a sneaky experience.

There’s also an Easter egg for each child who attends.

Tickets should be booked online for this family day out.

Funfair, circus and log flume at Trafford Centre

Roll up for all the fun of the funfair at the Trafford Centre in April!

A popular log flume attraction is back alongside a vintage-style funfair, with a wave swinger, tea cups, bumper cars, hook-a-duck, a fun house, bungee trampolines - and an appearance from the ever-popular Gandey’s Circus, with a new show called Roar in their big top.

Dubbed Spring Escape, the funfair opened on 1 April and runs until 24 April. You can pre-book £3.30 fair entry tickets here. Rides and the circus need to be paid for separately.

Search for Easter goodies at Manchester Arndale

Manchester Arndale is holding an Easter Egg hunt between 11 April and 18 April.

Follow the map around the shopping centre to find the goodies hidden in shops and restaurants.

You can download the map and print it off at home or pick one up from the information desk, and there are prizes up for grabs including an Easter hamper, Hotel Chocolat, Lidt and Over The Rainbow treats and a £50 Arndale gift card.

Find out more at the Arndale website here.

Victorian craft activities at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Youngsters can take a trip back in time to the Victorian era during the school holidays at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House.

Family craft activities will be taking place in the servants’ hall, with children having the chance to learn about Victorian greetings cards and make their own seasonal cards.

There is also a fun-filled cat trail around the house inspired by the author’s own feline companion.

Tickets have to be booked and the activities run until 17 April from 11am until 4pm.

Easter Extravaganza at Manchester Corn Exchange

Book lovers can meet some of their favourite characters over the Easter weekend with Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter, Willy Wonka and an Oompa Loompa welcoming people in the atrium of the Corn Exchange over Saturday 16 -Monday 18 April from noon to 4pm.

Guests can make a wish in front of the magical wishing mirror and have a free photo with one of the magical characters to take home. And there is even an Alice in Puzzleland escape room to try.