We are very lucky up here in the Greater Manchester area – we are treated to a huge variety of free events and family activities hosted by various museums, galleries and organisations. In the last few months we have been to events as part of Manchester Science Festival, Manchester Literature Festival, Manchester Family Arts Festival, Library events (even bedtime stories with hot chocolate!), fireworks displays, and Christmas events. In the new year there is even a History Festival coming up!
One free event we found over summer was ‘Toddlertastic’ at Whitworth Art Gallery. However, we turned up to enjoy this weekly event in it’s very last week, the Gallery was closing for a huge redevelopment project! The Toddlertastic dance and music session has moved to a new venue, but sadly it happens on a work day for me – boo!
Dancing with scarves at Toddlertastic.
Whooshing about. A good Mummy-Workout!
To say goodbye (for now), the Whitworth Art Gallery hosted a free festival called ‘Whitworth Weekending’ which we went along to and had a fantastic time at. The Park next to the gallery was filled with all sorts of exciting activities, crafts and stalls, and Annabelle came away with arm-fulls of artworks to show off!
This was a collaborative artwork with huge rolls of fabric divided into squares for children to decorate with pastels.
Making a clay hedgehog.
Finished hedgehog!
Painting with spices and water, using a self-made leaf brush! This activity smelt lovely!
The pathways through the trees were all decorated with umbrellas – beautiful!
We made a kite!
Hard at work with Daddy making a spider from recycled boxes and packaging.
Time left for a spin in the park!
Annabelle takes these events in her stride now, and is getting really confident at picking out activities that she would like to join in with, talking to adults, and working with other children. Thanks Manchester for investing in children and their creativity!
Love the hedgehog, and the BIG smile.
That looks awesome, makes you want to be a kid again. That us one creative young lady, looks like mum and dad had a good time too. 😆