Out and About – October

Elite Talent Theatre School at Zion Arts Centre
Saturday’s, kid’s class: 10-11.40am and teen’s class: 11.30am-1pm

Elite Talent Theatre is running adult, teen and children's acting classes at Zion Arts Centre. These classes are a great way for children to build confidence, make friends, learn skills and use their imaginations. Classes are taught by industry professionals and kids and teens will do everything from acting for stage, TV workshops, film workshops, script work and solo work. Classes will rehearse and perform two in-house productions a year.

Zion Arts Centre, Stretford Rd, M15 5ZA, 0161 226 1912. For full information please visit the website.

Manchester by Boat: Boat Busking at the Mark Addy (part of the Manchester Science Festival)
Saturday 2 October, 11.30am – 12.10pm, 1pm – 1.40pm, 3pm – 3.40pm

Our famous science buskers will be on the Manchester by Boat trip to entertain kids with their super science activities and demonstrations at the Manchester Weekender. Look out for fizz rockets, non-popping balloons and much, much more. Please note science buskers will only be on the 1pm and 3pm tours. Tours start at the Mark Addy.

Mark Addy, Stanley Street, Salford, M3 5EJ www.markaddy.co.uk , 0161 839 3461, Suitable for all ages, booking required, tickets £3.00. Please click here more information about this event.

Apple Weekend at Quarry Bank Mill and Styal Estate
Saturday 9 or Sunday 10 October, 11am – 4.00pm

An appealing day out for all the family at the Apprentice House GardenQuarry Bank Mill and Styal Estate, Styal, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 4LA.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk. Suitable for groups, no booking required, suitable for all ages, £1 per family trail.

The Paper Washi Wish at The Lowry
Saturday 9 October, 12 and 2pm

Rabbit lives on the moon with the Moon Goddess, and he’s invited all of his friends to his birthday paper party. They play a game of hide and seek but suddenly, Rabbit is nowhere to be found. Join Rabbit’s friends on an exciting adventure to find him as they travel into a magical paper world full of surprises. This charming and unique production features traditional Japanese storytelling, Kamishibai, and a hands-on paper-making experience.

The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ
www.thelowry.com, 0843 208 6000. Suitable for children aged 2 - 3. Capacity 20 per show. Tickets £7.50. For more information please visit the website.

Walkie Talkie Tour at Manchester Art Gallery
Saturday 16 October, 2pm - 2.45pm

You'll think, you'll talk, you'll draw, you'll fling paper around the gallery. Join Manchester Art Gallery for a 45 minute interactive tour with hands-on art appreciation for families.

Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, M3 3JL.manchestergalleries.org 0161 235 8888. Suitable for families with children aged 5+.. Drop in - no need to book. Free.

North West Food Lovers Festival at Tatton Park
Friday 22 - Sunday 24 October, Open 12 pm - 5pm (Friday), 10am - 5pm (Saturday and Sunday)

Taste buds across the region are set to be tantalised as the North West Food Lovers Festival arrives at Tatton Park from the 22 - 24 October. The festival, which will showcase the very best of ‘North-Westness’, will encompass two weeks of ‘foodie’ events involving restaurants and fine food stores in the area, with the highlight of the fortnight being the Taste Festival at Tatton Park. Over 120 delicious food and drink stalls will offer a fantastic range of top quality regional produce to see, taste and buy. Tickets are on sale now.

Tatton Park and the Old Hall, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN, www.tattonpark.org.uk, 01244 355474.
Friday £3, Sat & Sun £6, free for children under 12. Car entry charge applies.

Ship Shape Half Term at Imperial War Museum North
Saturday 23 – Sunday 31 October, 1pm – 4pm

The Shipshape Half Term is packed with family fun – from craft to theatrical performances. Including new activities such as the periscope challenge, decorating your own sea life splash bag, learning the art of decorative and practical knotting to create your own keyring to take home and trying your hand at some woven crafts and create your own unique paper-weaving panel in our fun craft activity. Please visit the website for full information.

Imperial War Museum North, The Quays, Trafford Wharf, Trafford Park, M17 1TZ.
north.iwm.org.uk 0161 836 4000. Recommended for ages 4 and upwards. Free.

Children’s tours at Hat Works
October weekends, 2.30pm – 3.30pm

Take a step back in time and learn the story of ‘Nat the Hatter’. Discover how hats were made, experience the noisy machinery floor and learn what it was like to be a hatters apprentice.

Hat Works, Wellington Mill,Wellington Rd,South,Stockport SK30EU.
www.hatworks.org.uk, suitable for all ages. Booking essential - call 0161 355 7770. Subject to availability, £2 per child, £1 per accompanying adult.

Reptile and amphibian talk with live animals at Manchester Museum
Tuesday 26 October, 1pm-2pm (under 8’s) 2.30pm-3.30pm (over 8’s)

Andrew Gray, The Manchester Museum's Curator of Herpetology, will give two highly interactive talks on the diversity of reptiles and amphibians found around the world. He will use a wide range of live animals from the Vivarium collection, including unusual snakes, lizards and frogs. During each talk you will be able to get up close to the animals and learn all about the many ways they have adapted to survive and contribute to the amazing diversity of life.

Manchester Museum, 250 Oxford Road, M13 9PP.
www.museum.manchester.ac.uk, 0161 275 2634. Suitable for all ages – two sessions under 8s and over 8s. Book on the day. Free.

Archives in Science and Technology Open Day at Museum of Science and Industry
Friday 29 October, 11am – 3pm

Join the MOSI archivists for a look at how scientists and engineers working for companies in Manchester discovered weird and wonderful things as part of their jobs. Find the answers to the quiz among the original documents on display, and maybe make some discoveries of your own.

Museum of Science and Industry, Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester, M3 4FP.
www.mosi.org.uk, 0161 832 2244, Suitable for children aged 5 – 16 year olds. Free.