Things to do with a 5 year old

Rambosmum

I've got my 5 year old niece during half term and I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to with her. We live in Manchester, fairly near the city centre and near Heaton Park. If the weather's nice we'll go to Heaton Park or another park as we have with her several times. If the weather is bad, I need so low cost things to do. We've taken her to the transport museum, which she loved and to the Trafford centre, which she wasn't so keen on (but what 5 year old is).

Anyone any ideas?

Guest101

http://www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/things-to-do/Manchester

thorsoak

A baking session? Even if you yourself have never baked a cake in your life, the pair of you could have some fun making and decorating some cupcakes (use cake mixes if necessary). Similarly - what about teaching knitting or sewing (assuming of course that you can):D

Go on a bug hunt in the park? Or identifying trees/wild flowers (weeds) or birdsong?

[Deleted User]

Can you still go row a boat in Heaton park? That sounds fun. Isn't their a LEGO discovery centre near the Trafford centre?

Kids cinema club? They can be cheap (Paddington and Big Hero 6 are on at the Manchester Odeon). My 5 year old son is a chocolate addict, so i'd be taking him to Slattery's in Whitefield. He enjoyed a ride on the metrolink from Whitefield to Bury last time we visited.

This is the sort of question I'd ask on a local facebook group really!

clw1

The Museum of Science & Industry is very good for kids and I believe that Manchester Museum with the dinosaurs is supposed to be good. Take a packed lunch to save on costs.

Most cinemas have a kids film at 10am that is cheap or you could have a DVD at home with popcorn. If you google "XX film colouring pictures" you can print off some pictures related to the film that she can colour in which might kill an hour or so.

Cow_pie_muncher

Have you considered jam making?

Tigsteroonie

Do you have a car or are you reliant on public transport? That'll make a difference - we could suggest numerous softplay centres (low cost) but don't know how many are accessible by public transport.

Buy a day rover ticket on the tram and ride it in every direction on the map, ticking off stations as you pass

barbiedoll

Nip down to Poundland and stock up on colouring pens, some safety scissors, glue and sparkly stuff, there are loads of books with colouring and cut-out things. Be warned though, you'll spend half an hour setting up a table with "craft" stuff, she'll spend 5 minutes playing with it and then it will take you half an hour to clear up lol!

Dig out any of your old clothes, shoes and handbags and have a "dress-up" afternoon (old net curtains are good for "brides"), let her dress you both and take pictures on your phone/camera. If you're really brave, let her do your make-up! (I'm assuming that you're female) do stock up on wet wipes first though. This is probably not a good idea if you have white furniture or carpets.

Pound shops often sell those mugs or eggcups with paint that she can decorate herself.

Making chocolates is easy. You can buy plastic moulds cheaply and you just melt the chocolate, coat the moulds then wait for them to set. You don't even need moulds if you have a box of chocolates lying around, just use the inner trays.

Jam making is probably not a great idea, boiling sugar and little kids is asking for trouble!

Make sure that you have some early nights, looking after kids is exhausting...good luck!!!

LilElvis

Go to the kids films at the Odeon - usually at 10 and only £2.50 for children and adults. Or be very MSE, buy The Sun, sign up for SunPerks, get the codes and go for free (strictly speaking the 40p the newspaper costs).

suejb2

Have you thought of
East Lancs railway
Watching planes at Manchester airport
Roller skating new place in Bury above JD sports
Dinosaur day at in Bury in Millgate on 28th
M.O.S.I
Salford Museum and the park behind
Moss Bank park
Smithills farm
Moses gate
Vue cinema kids club
Swimming not at Radcliffe though.
Ordsall Hall

Rambosmum

Thanks guys, that has given me loads of wet and dry weather ideas. She'll have a super time.