Looking for something to do with the kids that’ll keep them educated and entertained before they go back to school next term?
With the rising cost of living crisis sadly continuing to make its impact felt nationwide, and with the festive season being a time that most of us feel our finances stretching more than usual, it’s fair to say that finding different ways to keep the little ones occupied while still sticking to a budget can be quite a tricky task.
Thankfully, there’s currently a world-renowned art exhibition happening right here in Greater Manchester, and for a limited-time-only, kids can visit for free.
Having taken over the 1,200 sq metre Piazza space in the heart MediaCityUK, the Art of Banksy has been celebrating the work of one of the world’s most famous artists since it opened at the end of October, and before the event waves goodbye to the North West on Sunday 8 January 2023, kids will get the chance to take a look around free of charge.
You can now take the kids to see the immersive Banksy art exhibition at MediaCityUK for free / Credit: Supplied
Presented in partnership with HOME, the Art of Banksy features 145 authenticated Banksy works from 2002 to 2017 – ranging from prints, and canvases, to limited-edition pieces, unique works, and fascinating ephemera.
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They are all on display in a way that’s just not possible in a museum or gallery.
One of the standout pieces that visitors have been flocking far and wide to see is an extremely rare Banksy piece titled Leopard and Barcode, whichhas been donated to the exhibition by his ex-girlfriend, and hadn’t been publicly seen for more than a decade prior to this.
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The piece was originally sprayed onto the side of a house near Bristol, but after being saved from demolition work by a local architect, it had spent years wrapped in a blanket under a spare bed.
The Art of Banksy has been showing visitors how art has the power to affect social change, inspire the public, and lay bare the undercurrents of social issues – with those who’ve already headed down to the exhibition saying it’s an “unmissable experience for culture lovers” or anyone who’s keen to learn a bit more about the artist.
The Art of Banksy is an “unmissable experience for culture lovers” / Credit: Supplied
Fancy it then?
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All children under 16 can visit Art of Banksy at MediaCityUK for free with a paying adult before it closes on Sunday 8 January 2023.
Adult tickets will set you back just £19.50, with a range of concessions and VIP options available, and with advanced booking required, you can get your hands them either online at artofbanksy.co.uk or over the phone on 0343 208 1838.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Manchester’s iconic Rylands building is being reborn – and the developers want to hear from you
Daisy Jackson
Manchester’s iconic Rylands building, formerly home to the Debenhams department store, is being reborn.
And now the developers working on its new chapter want Mancunians to weigh in on which businesses we want to see in the landmark building.
The transformation of Rylands Manchester will honour the heritage character of the building, which dates back to 1932, but will introduce contemporary design and a list of residents that’s bang up to date for our modern city centre.
The plans include building a four-storey extension with panoramic city views and a bright, central atrium. When it completes, this Grade II-listed art deco building will bring together workspace, retail, and leisure, right at the beating heart of town between the Northern Quarter, Piccadilly, Manchester Arndale, and the central business district.
Standing proudly at the top of Market Street, this next era for Rylands will establish it as an exciting new destination in the heart of town when its phased completion begins from late 2026.
Already confirmed to be moving in is Market Place Food Hall with its first northern location, which has signed on for a 15 year lease to occupy the ground floor of Rylands.
Market Place Food Hall is already confirmed to be moving into RylandsRylands is entering a new era
But now Rylands are putting it back to locals to ask what shops, restaurants, or cafes we’d love to see moving in.
It could be a high street hero you’ve loved for years, an independent business you’ve fallen for, or a foodie spot you return to time and time again.
Your ideas could help to shape the future of this landmark building and make it a destination us Mancs can be proud of.
And if you submit your suggestions in the comments of THIS Instagram post, you could be in with a chance of winning a £100 Love2Shop voucher (make sure you’re following @Rylands_manchester for a chance to win).
Science and Industry Museum announces new major exhibition taking visitors on an ‘epic space adventure’
Emily Sergeant
A major new exhibition taking visitors on an ‘epic space adventure’ is making its world premiere in Manchester next year.
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos will invite visitors to explore our wondrous Solar System when it launches at the Science and Industry Museum next February.
Fresh off-the-back of the new BBC Children’s and Education TV show, Horrible Science, the ‘thrilling’ new exhibition will encourage visitors to ‘do science the horrible way’, and join both scientists and supervillains to unveil the secrets of space.
The new exhibition will propel families up into space where mystery, intrigue, and rocket-loads of silly and surprising science await. You’ll get to venture through a series of cosmic zones, walk in the shoes of astronauts, explore the life-giving energy of the sun, marvel at mysterious moons, and discover far-off weird worlds.
Left teetering on the edge of our Solar System, explorers will then find themselves staring into the dark depths of space, on the lookout for any extra-terrestrial life that could be staring back.
Whether its sniffing astronauts’ smelly socks, dancing on an alien disco planet, feeling the tremors from a mysterious moonquake, or launching a space rocket, organisers say this new adventure will engage all the senses in a truly immersive experience.
This is the first time Horrible Science has been brought to life as a major exhibition.
The Science and Industry Museum has announced a new major exhibition taking visitors on an ‘epic space adventure’ / Credit: BBC | Science Museum Group
Visitors will get to see familiar characters from the BBC series – like Dr Big Brain, in particular – on their mission to find out more about our fascinating Solar System through interactive experiments, playful challenges, and sensory exploration.
The exhibition is being developed by the Science and Industry Museum in collaboration with producers of the Horrible Science TV show, BBC Children’s and Education, and Lion Television, together with Scholastic, who are publishers of the much-loved Horrible Science book series by Nick Arnold and illustrated by Tony De Saulles.
‘Unmissable’ objects from the Science Museum Group’s world-class space collection will also be on show when the exhibition premieres.
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos will open at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester on 13 February 2026 for an 11-month run before heading down to London, and tickets are now on sale priced at £10 – with family discounts available, and under-threes going free.
Emily Sergeant -
21st December 2022 
