Out And About - October

Dark Matters Exhibition at Whitworth Gallery
From now until Sunday 15 January 2012, Mon – Sat 10am – 5pm, Sunday noon – 4pm
NEW major exhibition centred on the theme of shadow, technology and art. This innovative show has strong interactive and digital elements making it perfect for families to explore. Visitors to the exhibition will be able to explore works of art in a unique, playful and magical space. A programme of fun and free workshops adds an extra dimension to the exhibition throughout October. In the workshops, children can explore different drawing techniques and use shadow art to create puppets, spooky pictures and frightening mobiles.
The Whitworth Art Gallery, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk. Suitable for all ages. Free.

Day Out With Thomas at East Lancashire Railway
Saturday 1 - Sunday 2 October, from 9am
GREAT news for fans of the little blue engine, Thomas and Friends™ are coming to visit the East Lancashire Railway. Thomas will no doubt try to get up to some mischief while he is here but fortunately for us the Fat Controller, Sir Topham Hatt, will be here to make sure it does not get out of hand. Go for a ride with Thomas, watch the Troublesome Trucks get into trouble with the engines, go to the circus workshop, have your face painted, watch a Punch and Judy show and much more. All of the attractions and rides are covered by your admission ticket, so you have no excuse not to get involved. This is a family day out that really should not be missed.
East Lancashire Railway, Bolton Street Station, Bury, Greater Manchester BL9 0EY, www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk, 0161 764 7790
Adults £14, Children £7 (3-15 years of age), Family (2 Adults & 3 Children) £35, Under 3′s Free. For full information, please visit website.

Ready, Steady, Draw! at The Lowry
Sunday 2 October, 11am - 4pm
CELEBRATE The Big Draw by joining a drawing activity with a difference.  You’ll get a bag of drawing ‘ingredients’ that must all be used to create your own unique artwork.
It’s a chance to experiment with fun materials, explore new ways of making drawings and get messy. Everyone welcome
The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ, www.thelowry.com. Suitable for children of all ages. Free.

Kid Food Fest at Manchester's Festival Hub, Albert Square
Sunday 9 October, 10am - 6pm
AN exciting dedicated Kids Food Fest will be held, in the heart of the city at the FestivalHub on Albert Square.
Following the huge success of last year’s Village Fete,this new event will see a marquee transformed into a family food adventure with cookie making, kids cooking demos and cookery academy, milkshake demos and cupcake decorating masterclasses for those wanna be junior masterchefs.  Plus there'll be a Foodie Story Corner in association with Waterstones, the "Bee-have Kids!" area to learn about bee keeping and how honey is made run by the Manchester and District Bee Keepers, a Kids Allotment Area and lots more.  The whole area will be devoted to masses of exciting activities, with things for kids to see, do, taste and try.
Manchester Food & Drink Festival, The FestivalHub, Albert Square, Manchester. www.foodanddrinkfestival.com. Suitable for the whole family, Free.

The North West Food Lovers Festival at Tatton Park
Friday 21 October, noon - 5pm, Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 October, 10am - 5pm
WITH over 120 delicious food and drink stalls selling the best produce available from across the region, this year's festival will bring a feast of fun to all the family. As well as the opportunity to taste, sample and buy all the delicious foods and drink, there will be the ever popular celebrity chef demonstrations and kids cooking. A taste sensation that is not to be missed.
Tatton Park, Knustford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN, www.nwfoodloversfestival.com,  01244 355474. Suitable for the whole family.  For ticket prices and more information about the event, visit the website.

 Manchester Science Festival across Greater Manchester
Saturday 22 - Sunday 30 October, 10am - 6pm (event times vary)
THE popular science festival returns for its most exciting year yet.  Expect a vibrant and packed programme of events for families, young people and adults across Greater Manchester once again.  There'll be music, hilarious stand-up, heated debate, craft workshops, hand-on activities, stories, science busking and more.
Visit www.manchestersciencefestival.com for venues and tickets information.

Halloween Festival at Red House Farm
Monday 24 – Sunday 30 October, 10am – 4pm
GET ready for a fun filled half-term with scary halloween delights at the farm. There'll be a climbing wall, bouncy castle, a barrel train, a spooky hunt and fancy dress parade for all the kids to take part in.
Red House Farm, Red House Lane, Dunham Massey, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 5RL, www.redhousefarm.co.uk, 0161 941 3480. For ticket prices, please contact direct.

Half Term Halloween Haunting at The Old Hall, Tatton Park
Tuesday 25 – Sunday 30 October, noon – 5pm (last entry 4pm)
TV'S Most Haunted Live were spooked when they visited the Old Hall. See how scared you are when you visit the horrendously haunted Old Hall this Halloween. Meet ghosts and ghouls.Solve the horrible history mystery and quiz. There's tons to keep the kids entertianed including a childrens fun fair, stalls, face painting and mask making (small additional charge).
Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN, www.tattonpark.org.uk 01625 374400, Suitable for families with children of all ages. Adults £5, Children £3, Family £13, Under 3's enter for free. Normal car entry charge of £5 applies.