A FREE event where little Mancs can meet Bluey is coming to MediaCity this half term
Thomas Melia
There’s a free event making its way to MediaCity this half term, and its fronted by a very familiar children’s TV character.
As schools across Greater Manchester are out for half term at the end of this month, toy manufacturers Little Tikes are heading to MediaCity and bringing everyone’s favourite adventurous puppy Bluey along for the ride too.
And better yet, it’s all completely free.
This day-long event – which is to celebrate the launch of Little Tikes and Bluey’s collaboration – will feature an abundance of Little Tikes toys for kids to try out, while parents can put their feet up and watch some Bluey on the big outdoor screen.
Alongside some much needed rest for parents, kids and adults alike can take part in a ‘Spin to Win’-style competition and even get their face painted.
Whilst playing around with items such as the ‘Bluey Beach Day Sandbox’ and ‘Bluey Beach Water Table’, fan-favourite moments from the show will be broadcast onto the big screen.
There’s also a foot-to-floor car which kids can zoom around in titled ‘Bluey Grannies Car Coupe’, and the log flume inspired ‘Bluey Bushland Adventure’ where you can splash around mini-figurines from the TV show.
If that wasn’t enough Bluey for you in one day, the cute pup herself will be meeting and greeting little ones throughout the day – what more could you ask for?

Ad what better place to host this special event than at MediaCity Waterside Steps, just outside of CBeebies HQ, which has recently received an all-new revamp.
Each attendee will be given a 45-minute slot throughout the day in which they can visit the attraction, and tickets are given out on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Read more:
- Why are people queuing HOURS for these viral toys in Manchester?
- London attraction The Curling Club is now expanding into Manchester
- 25,000 free footballs are being given away across the UK
If you’re interested in having some family fun this May half term, why not tag along with Little Tikes and Bluey for this free event at Media City on Wednesday 28 May from 11am onwards – with tickets HERE.
Featured Images – Bluey
Free balcony greening workshops are happening across Greater Manchester to create ‘mini wildlife havens’
Emily Sergeant
Free balcony greening workshops are happening across Greater Manchester this spring to help people create their own ‘mini wildlife havens’.
While many Greater Manchester residents would love to have a garden of their own, that’s sadly not always the reality if they live in a flat or apartment complex, but instead they may have a balcony – in fact, it’s believed that there are around 60,000 balconies across the region, which adds up to the size of a whopping 33 football pitches.
That’s why the National Trust is on a mission to help city dwellers create their own green spaces through its ‘Sky Gardening Challenge’.
The conservation charity is encouraging people with balconies to ‘grow and green’ the town or city they live in from skyline spaces such as balconies, in the hopes that it’ll enhance their connection to nature and improving their wellbeing, all while helping wildlife thrive at the same time.
Greening a balcony space could apparently support 1.4 million meals for pollinators, like Manchester‘s beloved bees.


To help people get started on their greening mission and create their own wildlife haven, the National Trust is offering a free balcony gardening guide, free seeds, and free workshops in collaboration with lots of brilliant community organisations across the region – including Hulme Community Garden Centre, Plant CIC, and Northern Lily.
A number of workshops are also being ran this month with Cloud Gardener – a Manchester local, and a well-known face of the balcony gardening world.
With the first workshop in the lineup taking place tomorrow (15 May) and the final one on 7 June, there’s something for everyone to join in with, no matter where you are on your balcony greening journey, from classes in ‘Balcony Basics’ to ‘Edible Growing’, ‘Urban Farming’, and so much more.
And the best bit? All the workshops are free to take part in.
“The impact of our balcony garden extends beyond its small size,” explained a 2024 National Trust Sky Gardening Challenge participant. “It serves as a peaceful retreat for us, offering a place to relax and reconnect with nature. We are lucky to be looking out to such a lush green space right outside of our balcony.”
Another previous participant commented: “The workshops and socials helped me get started and motivated me to do it as I have had lots of health problems, and I had lost the will to do it.
Read more:
- New ‘sky park’ on Manchester’s Castlefield Viaduct officially opens to the public
- Manchester to get ANOTHER new city centre park as plans get green light
- Manchester has been named one of Europe’s ‘best’ cities
“I felt very tired at first, but now I can spend an hour or so everyday day, and I love sitting in my garden listening the birds or even just the wind blowing through the trees.”
Find out more and book yourself onto a free workshop on the National Trust website here.
Featured Image – National Trust