Find great ideas for days out with kids in Cheshire and Greater Manchester, and the best family friendly events happening summer 2023. 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

Cheshire Summer Activities & Events for Kids 2023

FEATURED

This Summer EVERYDAY (from July 29^th) UNLIMITED there’s unlimited play at Castaway Play from 10 am – 5 pm

• Mascot Meet and Greets* (10.30 am and 2.30 pm)
• Bubble Shows* (11.30 am and 1.30 pm)
• Foam Party* @ 3.30 pm on the beach

All this is included in one admission price; what are you waiting for???
Booking secures your place
*except during the Jurassic Island event

Cheshire & Manchester Indoor Summer Events

• Play all summer with an unlimited access pass at Castaway Play (Congleton)
• Bluedot Festival at Jodrell Bank (Macclesfield) 20th – 23rd July

• Meet the dinosaurs and enjoy a Jurassic experience at Castaway Play this summer (Congleton) 4-6th, 18th-20th August 1st -3rd September
• Party in the Museum at Congleton Museum (Congleton) 5th August
• Make clay dinosaurs at Weaver Hall Museum (Northwich) 9th – 10th August
• Giant bubbles at Blakemere Village (Northwich) 27th August

Outdoor Summer Adventures in Cheshire

• Tiger Who Came to Tea trail at Tatton Park (Knutsford) until 3rd Sep
• Bolton Abbey welly walk (nr Skipton) running all summer
• Dinosaurs in the Park at Heaton Park (Manchester) 20th July –
• Soldier School with Deva Roman Discovery Centre (Chester) Wed + Sat during the summer holidays
• Bluedot Festival at Jodrell Bank (Macclesfield) 20th – 23rd July
• Hale Barns Carnival (Hale Barns, nr Manchester) 20th – 23rd July FREE entry until 4pm
• Play Everyday Summer activities at Dunham Massey (Altrincham) 22nd July – 3rd September
• Funtopia Inflatable Fun (Northwich) 22nd July
• Medieval Life at Beeston Castle (Beeston) 22nd – 23rd July
• Jurassic Summer at Knowsley Safari (Prescot) 22nd July – 3rd September
• Stockport frogs art trail (Stockport) running all summer FREE
• Merseybay outdoor beach (Stockport 29th July – 3rd September FREE

The Crocky Trail will be open every day over during the Summer holidays. 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

• Summer Fete at Octagon Hall (Buxton) 22nd – 23rd July
• Summer Daze at the Trafford Centre (Manchester) 22nd July – 3rd September
• Jurassic Live Adventure at Bolesworth Castle (Tattenhall, nr Chester) 25th – 30th July
• Kenyon Hall Farm Maize Maze (Warrington) until end August
• Malpas PYO sunflowers and Maize Maze
• Dunham Massey Farm Ice Cream Sunflower Field Trail (Altrincham) from end July
• Mog in the Maze at Tatton Park Farm (Knutsford) 25th July – 29th October
• Dubbed Out Festival (near Knutsford) 27th – 30th July
• Cheshire Balloon Fiesta at Bolesworth Castle (Tattenhall, nr Chester) 4th – 6th August
• Rewind Festival at Capesthorne Hall (Macclesfield) 4th – 6th August

Cheshire’s best family friendly music and food festival takes place at Cholmondeley Castle on 11th – 13th August.  Book Deva Fest tickets for the day, weekend, camping or glamping.

• Firework Champions at Arley Hall 12th August (Northwich)
• Sunflowers at Kenyon Hall (Croft, near Warrington) from mid August
• Just So Festival (Stoke on Trent) 18th – 20th August
• Farm Fest 2023 at Reddish Vale Farm 19th – 28th August (near Stockport)
• Pavilion Gardens August bank holiday weekend family special (Buxton) 26th – 28th August
• Knights’ Tournament at Beeston Castle (Beeston) 27th – 28th August
• Broad Oaks Heart Trail (Didsbury) tbc

Family Theatre, Live Music and Puppets

• Blippi at The Storyhouse (Chester) 24th – 25th July
• Buzz at the Waterside (Sale) 27th – 28th July
• Splash Test Dummies at Lyceum Theatre (Crewe) 31st July
• Milkshake at Lyceum Theatre (Crewe) 4th August
• Jurassic Earth Lyceum Theatre  (Crewe) 20th August
• Sarah & Duck at Lyceum Theatre (Crewe) 31st August – 1st September

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.

If you are looking for a nice family walk around a small village with lots of open space and woodland and rivers to explore, then look no further than a visit to New Mills.  With the Millennium walkway and a super park nearby, it’s a great family day out.

Go on a treetop adventure like no other at BeWILDerwood Cheshire. Fly down the slippery slopes, master the wobbly wires, delve into the mish mash maze or enter the tip toe valley.  Perfect for a family day out in Cheshire, check out my review for top tips.