Kids & Family

Aldi is looking for curious kids to become its first-ever ‘toy tester’

You'll get sent plenty of toys to try for FREE.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 23rd April 2026

Curious kids, this one’s for you… Aldi is currently looking for little ones to become its first-ever wooden toy tester.

With the sun showing its face more regularly now, and the temperatures heating up by the day, summer is very much on its way, and it won’t be long before the mini Mancs are getting to spend more time playing outdoors than in – which is why Aldi is now on the lookout for one lucky child to become its official Wooden Toy Tester.

The supermarket retailer is calling on children across the country – including here in Greater Manchester – to apply by explaining why they should be chosen and what make-believe dish they would cook up in their very own toy kitchen.

The successful winner will receive a selection of Aldi’s latest wooden toys for free to make sure they have everything they need to feel like they’re the head chef of their own garden.  

Aldi is looking for curious kids to become its first-ever ‘toy tester’ / Credit: Aldi

All Aldi is asking in return is a short review of each of the toys, rating them on performance and fun factor to help guide the supermarket’s Buying Team on future product development. 

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In previous years, Aldi’s wooden toy launches have been so popular that the retailer has had to put a ‘two per shopper’ limit on purchases, so as you can imagine, this makes this adorable new job role even more in-demand. 

“The nation’s love for our wooden toy range is undeniable, and our littlest shoppers are our most important critics,” commented Julie Ashfield, who is the Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK.

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“We’re excited to appoint our first ever Wooden Toy Tester, to capture their experience and find out what makes the perfect playtime set-up, guaranteeing lots of giggles and fun.”

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Fancy it then? For a chance to win the role of a lifetime, little hopefuls simply need to send a one-minute-long video to [email protected] with their name, age, location, what makes them the perfect fit for the role, and what dish they wood make in their wooden kitchen.

Applications close on 5 May, and Aldi’s Summer Wooden Toy range will be available in stores from 17 May.

Featured Image – Aldi UK

Kids & Family

Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum announces FREE programme of space-themed activities

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

National Space Day is coming up, and you can celebrate with a bunch of free space-inspired activities in Manchester this bank holiday.

Ever wondered what astronauts eat in orbit? How they use the loo in zero gravity? Or why crumbs are bad news on the International Space Station? Well, to celebrate National Space Day – which is taking place this year on Friday 1 May – you’ll now get to discover the answers to those questions and so much more down at the Science and Industry Museum early next month.

The popular Manchester city centre-based museum has unveiled a programme of free ‘out-of-this-world’ events and activities this upcoming May bank holiday weekend.

The programme of free events are set to accompany the museum’s latest special exhibition, Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos – which you do have to pay for – and will give visitors more ways to explore the ‘wonders and weirdness’ of space.

The Science and Industry Museum has announced a free programme of space-themed activities / Credit: Drew Forsyth / Science Museum Group

Launching on National Space Day (Friday 1 May) and running through to Monday 4 May, the special bank holiday weekend programme is especially timely following the recent return of Artemis II astronauts from their history-making mission around the moon.

Families can get a taste of space during new live shows by sampling real foods used to feed astronauts, and discover more about how humans live and work beyond Earth, while budding space explorers put their skills to the test in interactive activities designed to ‘spark curiosity’ and ‘stretch imaginations’ to the moon and back.

Stargazers can enjoy the night sky as its projected across super-sized screens, or get creative by crafting their very own constellations and designing a mission patch for an astronaut’s spacesuit.

The events accompany the museum’s latest special exhibition, Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos / Credit: Drew Forsyth / Science Museum Group

“2026 has already been a stellar year for space,” commented Tash Camberwell, who is the Interpretation and Content Developer at the Science and Industry Museum, as the programme of free events was announced this week.

“We’ve been so inspired by the amazing Artemis II astronauts, so I’m especially excited to bring space back down to Earth with an action-packed programme for the May bank holiday. 

“Just like the exhibition, our holiday activities have been created for young people and their grown-ups to enjoy together by blending humour, hands-on science and spectacular experiences to spark curiosity in space and inspire the next generation of space explorers.”

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More information on the bank holiday weekend activities can be found on the Science and Industry Museum’s website here, and free general admission tickets, as well as £10 tickets to Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos, can also be booked online too – with under threes going free.

Following what was a popular spring school holidays, museum staff say early booking is ‘advised’.

Featured Image – Drew Forsyth / Science Museum Group

Kids & Family

A live concert version of The Muppet Christmas Carol is coming to Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones Muppet Christmas Carol in concert with live orchestra Manchester show tickets

We know it’s not even the summer yet, but we’re about to drop the C word, because a live concert version of The Muppet Christmas Carol is coming to Manchester.

An all-time classic, adored by children and adults alike, Disney’s Muppet Christmas Carol is arguably one of the best seasonal watches of all time.

Set to be hosted right here in the city centre at one of the most magnificent entertainment venues, the much-loved, festive and musical will be celebrated in its true glory, courtesy of a full orchestra.

It isn’t the first time special screenings of this family-friendly favourite have been held here in Manchester – nor is it the first time the UK has been treated to this particular tour – but if you haven’t tried a Disney Concerts experience before, this is an ideal opportunity.

Announcing not one but two dates at the beautiful Bridgewater Hall, The Muppets’ twist on the legendary Charles Dickens tale, which will see the visuals brought to life with the backing of strings, brass, percussion – the whole shebang.

If you’ve ever been to see one of these ‘live in concert’ type shows, you’ll know how magical they can make rewatching even something you’ve seen countless times before.

With Disney Music Group’s regular troupe of touring players taking on the original score and well-known soundtrack, you won’t be able to help but sing back every word.

Originally composed by Miles Goodman (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Little Shop of Horrors), along with songs by Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy-winning songwriter, Paul Williams (Rainbow Connection and Evergreen), there’s a reason the sound of this film, specifically, has stuck with so many people.

Just imagine this on the big screen as all the instruments kick in right then and there, in the flesh…

Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert – 2026 UK tour dates

We’ve also highlighted some other Northern options for you:

  • 28 November – London Eventim Apollo 
  • 29 November – Poole Lighthouse 
  • 1 December – Bradford Live
  • 2 December – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall 
  • 3 December – Edinburgh Usher Hall 
  • 4 December – Nottingham Royal Concert Hall 
  • 5 December – Southend Cliffs Pavilion 
  • 7 December – Manchester Bridgewater Hall
  • 8 December – Birmingham Symphony Hall
  • 9 December – Birmingham Symphony Hall
  • 10 December – Sheffield City Hall
  • 11 December – Bath Forum 
  • 13 December – Brighton Centre 
  • 14 December – Portsmouth Guildhall 
  • 17 December – Manchester Bridgwater Hall 

With performances booked for 7pm on 7 December and the same time on 17 December, Members’ pre-sale goes live this coming Thursday, 23 April at 10am.

As for general admission, tickets will be available from the same time on Friday, 24 April; you can get ready to grab yours HERE.

It’s not the only big Christmassy concert coming to town this year.

A big Christmas sing-along concert with Alexander Armstrong and Aled Jones is coming to Manchester

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Publicity pictures/The Manc Group

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