Out and About – February

Manchester Chinese New Year celebration 2011 at Chinatown and Albert Square
Sunday 6 February, 11am – 7pm
The year of the rabbit is welcomed with a glittering array of festivities.

Enjoy the 175ft long dragon parade, kung fu demonstrations, folk dance performances, acrobatics, art workshops for children and performances by the lion and unicorn accompanied by traditional fire crackers to bring luck for the forthcoming year and of course spectacular fireworks.

Chinatown will be bursting with hundreds of street stalls offering Chinese arts and crafts, oriental food, Chinese traditional medicine, calligraphy, Chinese costumes, jewellery, ornamental objects, fortune telling and food tasting stalls.

Visit www.unmissablemanchester.co.uk for more information. Free.

Chinese New Year at Manchester Art Gallery
Sunday 6 February, 11am – 4pm
Celebrate with us as we mark the beginning of the year of the rabbit. There'll be a lion dance, traditional music, puppet making, tea tasting, calligraphy, paper folding and animal trail and much more.

Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, M3 3JL, www.manchestergalleries.org. 0161 235 8888. Suitable for families with children of all ages. Just drop-in. Free.

Big Saturday at Manchester Museum
Saturday 12 February, 11am – 4pm
Play, creativity and colours can all be linked to a happy state of mind. Play in our giant playroom, write poetry, create peace cranes, take part in colour and mineral association activities and follow our health rocks trail (looking at how the museum could contribute to your five a day activities to protect your well being). Toddlertastic (from the Whitworth Art Gallery) will be making a special visit to the museum.

Manchester Museum, 250 Oxford Road, M13 9PP, www.museum.manchester.com, 0161 275 2634. Suitable for all ages. Some activities may need to be booked on the day and may cost up to £1.50.

Jo Jingles: Animal Antics at Imperial War Museum North
Selected dates between Saturday 19 – Saturday 26 February, 2pm – 3pm
Join the activities with Jo Jingles, the UK and Ireland’s leading provider of music, singing and movement sessions for very young children. Starting with interactive storytelling, each session will be themed to different animals, including nautical characters, bears, horses, dogs and farmyard animals.

Imperial War Museum North, The Quays, Trafford Wharf, Trafford Park, M17 1TZ, north.iwm.org.uk 0161 836 4000. Ideal for children under 5 years old. Booking essential. Free.

Scarecrow Festival at Tatton Park
Saturday 19 – Sunday 27 February, 11am – 4pm (last entry 3pm)
Visit Tatton's Scarecrow Festival this spring half term. Hunt for the fabulous scarecrows displayed around the gardens and made by the creative gardening team. Take part in the fun rhyming quiz to find the special 'Cheshire characters.'

On Saturday 19th February there are additional activities for children, including the opportunity to make a scarecrow for Tatton's gardens (all unwanted garments welcome)

Tatton Park and the Old Hall, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN, www.tattonpark.org.uk, 01244 355474. Suitable for families with children of all ages. Normal park and garden entry charges apply.

Monster modelling at Hat Works
Tuesday 22, Wednesday 23, Thursday 24 February, 10.30am – 12noon, 1pm – 2.30pm
Let your imagination run riot in this fab craft workshop where you can design and make your very own monster.

Hat Works, Wellington Mill,Wellington Road,South, Stockport SK30EU, www.hatworks.org.ukSuitable for children aged 5-11years old. Booking essential - Call 0161 355 7770 subject to availability, Children must be accompanied an adult, £3.00 per child, £2.50 leisure key holders.

Family Sunday at The Lowry
Sunday 27 February, 11am – 3pm
Visit the galleries on the last Sunday of every month where you’ll discover fun art and drama activities inspired by our current exhibitions.