Little Mancs can “explore ideas that change the world” at one of Manchester’s most popular museums this summer.
Keen to keep the kids both entertained and educated at the same time now that schools across Greater Manchester are out for summer?
With a couple of weeks of the school holidays still left to make the most of, and many parents, carers and guardians understandably starting to run out of ideas, the Science and Industry Museum is encouraging locals to head on down and experience the best of its jam-packed events lineup packed full of exciting exhibitions, hands-on activities, and so much more.
And the best part is, the majority of the programme is free to get involved with.
There’s loads of free events and activities happening at the Science and Industry Museum this summer / Credit: Drew Forsyth (via Science Museum Group)
The city centre-based museum is inviting “scientists, innovators, and engineers of the future” to delve deeper into the science behind space, machines, and our bodies, as well as discover some of the museum’s special spaces during its current large-scale repair project.
ADVERTISEMENT
From now right up until 1 September, the museum promises there’ll be something new for you to discover every single day.
A brand-new science show will give visitors a chance to explore the hidden worlds uncovered by incredible engineers, while families can find out what goes on inside an engine, use metal detectors to explore a special sand pit, or examine the marvellous machines that help us look inside our bodies.
Budding engineers can also get hands-on with special activities inspired by plans and blueprints of collections from the museum’s archive.
Special ‘Hidden Spaces’ tours will take you behind the scenes, while demonstrations of the museum’s historic textile machinery will bring to life Manchester’s industrial past like never before.
Then, in a bid to mark Manchester‘s annual Pride Festival, visitors will be able to join in with some special Pride-themed activities that celebrate lots of different individual stories from 19 to 25 August, which all lead up to the museum taking part in the Manchester Pride parade through the city centre on Saturday 24 August.
ADVERTISEMENT
All of the museum’s free events and exhibitions can be booked online / Credit: Drew Forsyth (via Science Museum Group)
And if course, the school holidays are the perfect time to visit the museum’s two currently-running and massively popular exhibitions, Power Up, and the newest addition, Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine, if you haven’t had the chance to do so already.
All of the museum’s free events and exhibitions can be booked online ahead of time, as well as on the day of your visit too.
More information can be found on the Science and Industry Museum website here.
Featured Image – Drew Forsyth (via Science Museum Group)
Sponsored
Sensory-friendly Northern Lights to illuminate Printworks’ digital ceiling to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week
Emily Sergeant
This week marks the start of Neurodiversity Celebration Week.
Approximately 15-20% of the population has a neurological difference, according to the most recent statistics, and Neurodiversity Celebration Week (16-20 March 2026) highlighting the importance of championing, raising awareness of, and accommodating neurodiverse people.
And Printworks is marking the occasion in its own special way, with a series of new initiatives designed to create a more ‘inclusive’ and ‘sensory-friendly’ environment.
You may already know that the popular indoor entertainment complex in the heart of Manchester city centre is home to more than a dozen bars, restaurants, and leisure activities – including one of the largest IMAX screens on the continent – and Europe’s largest digital ceiling too, of course, but this week’s experience is unlike anything the venue has welcomed before.
Throughout the week, Printworks will be transforming its digital ceiling with calming Northern Lights and constellations which have been specifically designed to create a relaxed, sensory-friendly atmosphere for visitors with additional sensory needs.
Northern Lights to illuminate Printworks’ digital ceiling to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week / Credit: Supplied
As part of a long-term commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, Printworks is also introducing a weekly sensory-friendly hour every Sunday too, where lighting throughout the venue will be dimmed, and music and SFX volumes reduced for a reduced-stimulus environment.
200 free sensory packs – which can be collected at Vue cinema – with a pair of ear defenders and sensory-friendly toys, designed to support visitors who may benefit from sensory tools while enjoying the venue, are also on offer throughout the course of the week.
On top of this, there’s also a range of autism-friendly cinema screenings taking place on the last Sunday of every month at 10:30am.
An additional autism-friendly screening will be taking place with a showing of Hoppers this Sunday 22 March at 10:30am, with tickets now available from Vue’s website.
“Neurodiversity Celebration Week is an important time for brands and venues to recognise and support the diverse ways visitors and audiences experience the world,” commented Dan Davis, who is the General Manager at Printworks.
“We endeavour to ensure that all visitors feel comfortable and welcome when spending time at Printworks.”
Find out more about Neurodiversity Celebration Week on Printworks’ website here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Sponsored
Lovely last-minute Mother’s Day ideas from Selfridges in Manchester
The Manc
Mother’s Day is this Sunday – and if those words have just sent you into a blind panic, just take a breath and head straight across to Selfridges.
The huge department store has come up with all sorts of things that make for perfect last-minute gifts and experiences.
That includes a carefully curated selection of gifts available in-store, plus a very special Morning With Mum beauty workshop so you can spend some quality time together on Mother’s Day.
Selfridges can be your one-stop shop for the big day.
In both Exchange Square and Trafford Centre stores, you can pick up lovely gifts like feast-filled hampers, fabulous accessories, luxury chocolates, candles, and even cards.
As always, there are gifts you can have personalised in-store for a sentimental present for the mother figure in your life.
If you’re really stuck, you can pop along to the Beauty Concierge and book her an experience.
And over in Selfridges Exchange Square, you can pick up a beautiful fresh bouquet from The Royal Exchange Florists.
Selfridges has loads of last-minute Mother’s Day ideas
There’s rarely a gift more precious than quality time together, which is why Selfridges will be hosting a special Mother’s Day floor-wide beauty event on Saturday 14 March.
Ticket-holders will receive expert beauty advice from your favourite brands, while enjoying complimentary drinks and sweet treats.
There’ll also be plus exclusive gifts with purchase available, and giveaways on the day, and you can redeem the £20 ticket price against products purchased on the day.
You can even grab an artist print for mum at the vending machine.
Tickets for the Morning With Mum beauty workshop are on sale HERE.
You could also share a moment over a glass of champagne at San Carlo in both locations, or grab a sweet treat from the bakery in the Trafford Centre store.
Emily Sergeant -
14th August 2024 
