Loads of fun and interactive activities for kids of all ages to get stuck into are happening across Manchester tomorrow.
Now that schools across Greater Manchester are out for summer, there’s likely to be lots of parents, carers, and guardians who are struggling to come up with different ways to keep the kids educated and educated at the same time, all while not breaking the bank too much – but luckily, there’s plenty happening in our region tomorrow to have you covered.
And it’s all to celebrate ‘National Play Day’.
One of the most wholesome annual events, ‘National Play Day’ was established back in 1987, and is a day dedicated to recognising and highlighting the importance of play in children’s lives.
National Play Day on 7 August is a chance for your child to enjoy the benefits of play. 🪁
Expect activities across the city – including crafts, free play, den building, sports, and more.
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) July 29, 2024
A particular issue is focussed on each year, and 2024’s theme is ‘The Culture of Childhood’, which will celebrate the rich and lively culture of children’s play, and how playfulness is a distinct feature of behaviour across generations and cultures.
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Manchester will be looking at the “vital benefits” of play for children’s health, happiness, and creativity as it celebrates ‘National Play Day’ on Wednesday 7 August.
This means children of all ages can get involved with a wide range of fun activities at countless community venues across the borough – including arts and crafts, free play, den building, team sports, cycling, drumming, a book club, and more.
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Manchester is hosting loads of FREE kids activities for National Play Day tomorrow / Credit: Stephen Andrews | Kenny Eliason | Yan Krukau (via Pexels & Unsplash)
Many of the events happening tomorrow are organised and run by Manchester City Council – with the local authority saying “children from all backgrounds and abilities” are “welcome” at the activities and events near them.
Manchester Central Library, Manchester Art Gallery, Z-Arts, Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, Manchester Aquatics Centre, and Heaton Park are just some of the places where play sessions are happening at throughout the day, and many of them are free to turn up to without needing to book places in advance.
Countless other libraries, leisure centres, galleries, and cultural hubs across the city are also hosting free events too.
Disney On Ice is bringing its ‘Find Your Hero’ tour to Manchester this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Disney On Ice is returning to Manchester with a brand-new magical adventure for the whole family this festive season.
I know June has only just begun and that officially means summer is here, but do you fancy just casting your minds forward to Christmas for a second?
That’s because Disney On Ice has announced today that it’ll be heading out on a tour of the UK once the festive season rolls around, and of course, the tour’ll be making a stop here in Manchester.
Audiences will get to discover what it truly means to be a hero, as Mickey and Minnie Mouse and all their friends from the Disney Kingdom come together to take families on a journey of unforgettable moments as they bring timeless tales to life on ice.
The production will travel throughout the UK, visiting places like Birmingham, Nottingham, Newcastle, Aberdeen, and Belfast, all before arriving at Manchester’s AO Arena.
This is your chance to re-live famous Disney stories with all of your favourite characters, alongside the magic of classic Disney songs and world-class ice skating.
Disney On Ice is bringing its ‘Find Your Hero’ tour to Manchester this Christmas / Credit: Supplied
The talented Disney On Ice cast rehearse for more than 550 hours to perfect each performance and encapsulate the characters, while a team of choreographers, and set and costume designers, create more than 200 props and more than 200 different costumes.
Encanto, Moana, Frozen, The Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty, and Tangled are just some of the legendary Disney tales you can see reimagined when Disney On Icepresents Find Your Hero arrives in Manchester this December.
Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero 2025/26 tour dates
bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham: 29 October – 9 November 2025
Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham: 12 – 16 November 2025
Utilita Arena, Newcastle: 19 – 23 November 2025
P&J Live, Aberdeen: 27 – 30 November 2025
SSE Arena, Belfast: 5 – 7 December 2025
AO Arena, Manchester: 10 – 14 December 2025
Utilita Arena, Sheffield: 17 – 21 December 2025
O2 Arena, London: 26 December 2025 – 4 January 2026
The magical production is arriving at the AO Arena this December / Credit: Supplied
The production brings beloved characters to life through cutting-edge figure skating, eye-catching costumes, and stunning set designs, with innovative lighting and thrilling special effects, making it an experience the whole family will treasure forever.
Disney On Icepresents Find Your Hero arrives at Manchester’s AO Arena from 10-14 December 2025, and tickets go on Three+ presale on Monday 9 June and AO Arena presale on Thursday 12 June, both at 9am.
All before they then go on general sale next Friday 13 June, again at 9am.
Colourful new SmileyWorld art trail to take over Stockport town centre this summer
Emily Sergeant
Stockport will transform into a playful outdoor gallery this summer as a colourful new art trail takes over the town.
Following huge success in London and North Tyneside, Stockport visitors are being told to get ready to explore a full spectrum of emotions this summer, as the SmileyWorld® Art Trail takes over the town centre with a colourful collection of quirky, fun, and exciting sculptures each inspired by the SmileyWorld icons.
Kicking off from the start of next month, the trail will be making its North West debut in Stockport, and organisers say it’s guaranteeing family fun during the school summer holidays.
Oh and best of all, it’s completely free to attend.
Created by the trailblazing global arts producer, Wild in Art, in partnership with Totally Stockport BID and SmileyWorld – a lifestyle brand that’s dedicated to true emotional expression – the trail will feature 15 playful sculptures, each reimagined by a different artist to reflect the full range of human emotions including joy, pride, surprise, anxiety, and lots more.
Colourful new SmileyWorld art trail is taking over Stockport town centre this summer / Credit: Scott Kershaw Photography
Perfect for all ages, the trail will be spread across the town centre, with sculptures featured everywhere from the Merseyway Shopping Centre, to Stockport Underbanks, Viaduct Park, The Plaza, and more.
Designed as a self-guided experience, the sculptures will reflect a broad range of human feelings and will invite people to connect as they explore Stockport’s key locations and landmarks using free trail maps, complete with games, puzzles, and doodles for kids, all of which will be available to download ahead of time.
Printed copies will also be available for pick up in local businesses and public venues.
“We are delighted to be able to bring the SmileyWorld Art Trail to Stockport,” commented Charlie Langhorne, who is the Managing Director and co-founder of Wild in Art.
“Exploring the trail is a fun activity to do with friends and family and it’s free to visit. It’s a great opportunity to get out in the fresh air and take a stroll around Stockport town centre while discovering some truly unique and inspiring art.”
The SmileyWorld® Art Trail is taking over Stockport from 4 July through to 15 September 2025, and you can find out more here.
Emily Sergeant -
6th August 2024 
