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United Kingdom/Things to Do in Manchester, with kids

Manchester Museum (with kids)

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How Kids-Friendly is Manchester Museum?

92%Kids-Friendly
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What makes it 92% Kids-Friendly: Hands-on dino packs, school-holiday craft sessions and wide galleries keep under-12s engaged for hours and staff are used to noisy groups, making it highly suitable.

Google
Reviews4.7/ 5
(from 9,990 reviews)
MANCHESTER MUSEUM | UK | FREE ENTRY | WHAT IS INSIDE?
13 min
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MANCHESTER MUSEUM | UK | FREE ENTRY | WHAT IS INSIDE?
3.4K views • 2 years ago
Ultimate 4K Tour of Manchester Museum: Discover Hidden Gems!
96 min
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Ultimate 4K Tour of Manchester Museum: Discover Hidden Gems!
1.2K views • 1 year ago

Positives:

  • Free Entry and Tours: Museum entry and most family activities cost nothing.
  • Interactive Exhibits: AR trails, live labs, and activity packs keep kids engaged.

Challenges:

  • Busy Midday Crowds: Galleries get crowded around lunch; little ones may feel overwhelmed.
  • Limited Seating: Benches are scarce in some areas; plan brief rest breaks.
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Found this helpful? Please support us by visiting 🏖️ our GetYourGuide partner link - The 10 BEST Activities around Manchester Museum, and we may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps us pay the bills and help more travelers!

What is Manchester Museum?

  • A University of Manchester museum dedicated to natural history, archaeology and world cultures
  • Home to over six million specimens and artifacts, including dinosaur skeletons and the largest university-owned Egyptology collection
  • Housed in Alfred Waterhouse’s neo-Gothic building, expanded with contemporary galleries and research facilities

What is so special about Manchester Museum for with kids?

  1. Free entry with no-booking family tours.
  2. Hands-on fun in the Dinosaur gallery and AR kitten hunt.
  3. Iconic exhibits like the granite sphinx and live amphibian lab.
  4. Seasonal salon recreations and holiday craft drop-ins.
  5. Family-friendly cafe treats in retro beakers.

Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours

Why 2-3 hours visit duration is ideal for with kids: A tour of key exhibits, hands-on activities, and a snack break fits within this timeframe without tiring young children.

(View Manchester Museum on Map)

Kids-Friendly Activities in Manchester Museum

Dino Activity Pack:

Pick up a free activity pack in the Fossils & Dinosaurs gallery for puzzles and drawing prompts.

Tip: Download the pack online before you visit or ask at the info desk for a printed copy.

Family Highlights Tour:

Join a 25-minute guided walk that brings museum highlights to life with child-friendly stories.

Tip: Meet at the welcome desk at 11:15 am Tue–Sun; no booking required.

Find the Kittens AR Trail:

Use your smartphone to hunt for hidden virtual kittens around the galleries.

Tip: Collect the free trail leaflet at reception and fully charge your device.

Sphinx of Pharaoh Taharqa:

Marvel at the 3 m-tall granite sphinx in the Egypt & Sudan gallery.

Tip: Use the audio guide’s Egyptology route to share the sphinx’s story with your kids.

Live Amphibian Lab:

Watch conservation staff release poison dart frogs and learn about their habitat.

Tip: Check the museum website for the weekly schedule and arrive 10 minutes early.

When is the best time to visit Manchester Museum (Manchester, United Kingdom)?

In summer, enjoy extended evening openings when the atrium transforms into a 19th-century scientific salon. Check “Play On” holiday drop-ins for free craft fun.

✈️ Ready to go? Check the latest flight deals to Manchester on Trip.com

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Reviews of Manchester Museum (Manchester)

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Rorksen

Rorksen

Sep 2025

Go to this museum. I went last week and it was fantastic. There is a lot in the museum and it is well displayed. The Asian culture and history exhibit was really nice to walk around and I especially liked that it tried really hard to tie as much of the Asian history to Manchester and showed how strong the ties are between the two locations. The Egyptian exhibit was also nice although it felt very...

midia mesto

midia mesto

Sep 2025

My son and I had a truly wonderful time visiting the Historical Art Exhibition in Manchester. We were both deeply impressed by the richness of the displays and the beauty of the precious artifacts. My 7-year-old son was especially delighted to see so many fascinating and valuable pieces from the past, which sparked his curiosity and excitement. It was such a joyful experience for him before starti...

Salim Miah

Salim Miah

Aug 2025

Manchester Museum is a lovely place to visit, it’s not particularly big, so you can easily see everything in 2–3 hours, which makes it great for families. There are some really interesting pieces to enjoy, and it’s very family friendly overall. What stood out the most for me, however, was their multi-faith area. It was wonderfully clean, spacious, and thoughtfully designed. Honestly one of the be...

Siska Musiam

Siska Musiam

Aug 2025

Manchester Museum is a fascinating destination for anyone interested in history, world civilizations, and the evolution of humans and animals. Its collections span Asia, Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, and more, all presented through well-curated and engaging displays that avoid feeling monotonous. The museum’s recognition as European Museum of the Year 2025 reflects its quality and appeal....

alana fullen

alana fullen

Aug 2025

Went yesterday for my little ones first visit to a museum, timed it perfectly for the cat that slept for 1000 years exhibit, was brilliant! Very good if you've got younger children! Egypt exhibit and dinosaurs were good. Only thing I'd say was the bathrooms were the cleanest and the two we went into hand dryers were broken. Overall a good day and alot to see.

Typical Budget for a Family of 4 (2 Adults + 2 Kids)

ItemCost (Approx.)
Museum entryGBP 0
Dino Activity PackGBP 0
Marshmallow hot chocolate (per serving)GBP 3.8
Fossil cookie (per cookie)GBP 1.3
Total EstimatedGBP 10.2

Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Content Notice: This content combines editorial expertise with AI assistance to ensure comprehensive and up-to-date information. Our team regularly curates and reviews all content for accuracy and relevance. Help Us Improve

How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Manchester Museum

  1. Visit Before Closing: Crowds thin one hour before closing—ideal for quieter exploration and photos.
  2. Use the Audio Guide: Pick up the free guide in the basement and follow the Industrial Revolution route for child-friendly stories.
  3. Download Packs in Advance: Save time by downloading activity packs and trail maps before you arrive.
🚗 Planning to explore multiple Manchester attractions? A rental car often costs less than daily taxi trips. Check Trip.com for deals. New users save up to 8% OFF.

Map of Manchester Museum

Address: Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL, UK

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About Manchester Museum

Opening Hours

Monday:Closed
Tuesday:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday:10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thursday:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday:8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.

Website

Official Website

Phone Number

+44 161 275 2648

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