Discover the wonder and delight of science at work whilst making memories with your favourite tiny people. The first edition of Beyond The Music will take place on 11-14 October 2023 across venues and skylines in and around the city. The global annual event will seek to not only solve the issues being faced today but to produce innovative models for the future. Lucy, from Hampshire, told me: “My boyfriend is a Londoner and you’d think he was born in Bethlehem the way he talks about the city. It’s like being born in South West makes you a Demi God. I’m not saying he’s not kind and funny and friendly and decent but dear god why do Londoners think their city is so great and that that by default makes them the leaders of the western civilisation? The recently reopened Manchester Museum has some incredible exhibits mainly to do with animals and ancient history which little ones will find fascinating. Manchester Central Library

With other attractions nearby including the Science and Industry Museum, Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester Central Library and the People's History Museum, she added: "This is such a great location for a free play space and I wish every town had one." The lookout area of The Lowry has an activity room and a small soft play area that can be used for free. They run activities in the week for under 5s including little creatives and baby playtime. Find out more and book a session here – Little Creatives | Workshops | The Lowry Manchester Museum

year-old Jen, from Leicestershire, says: “The London accent is just so grating, and everyone is so rude. No one thanks the bus drivers. Everyone is always rushing off to brunch or to work in the City, and they’re all hyper-trendy. Everything is about 20 times more expensive in London. I’m not entirely sure Londoners realise that there is a world outside London. The only redeeming feature of the Londoner is that they’re generally quite fit.” For more information or to book a free session, please visit here. Channel your inner-zen with Amphitheatre Yoga Whether you are an experienced Yogi or you’re looking to improve your skills, the free sun-kissed outdoor Amphitheatre Yoga sessions are suitable for the whole family. With yoga mats provided, the Amphitheatre Yoga sessions take place every Sunday throughout August, between 11am – 11.45am. Although the sessions are free, places must be booked in advance. For more information or to book a space on the next session, please visit here Kids Cinema Club and eat free at MOTLEY Manchester

Keep an eye out for events for under 5s too. Find out more here – Under 5’s – Salford Museum & Art Gallery Portland Basin museum Summer Daze is an ace day out featuring live music, an outdoor cinema, sport event live streams, a summer-themed funfair, a new outdoor food & entertainment hub, a beach, AND a splash park! Beyond The Music is founded by producer, presenter, promoter and social enterprise founder Oli Wilson, working alongside BTM Director Sarah Pearson, Founder of Wasted Youth Music, and Chair Rose Marley, CEO of Co-Operatives UK, and a committee that includes Michael Adex, CEO of NQ, and Jane Beese Director of Music, MIF / Factory International. With Beyond The Music, Oli Wilson intends to build upon the foundations laid by his father Tony Wilson, a broadcaster, journalist and creator of Factory Records and the Hacienda nightclub, responsible for some of the world’s greatest music. Outdoor art club – for children of all ages, these sessions encourage free play and exploring nature outdoors. They include water play, mud and much more. Make sure your toddler is dressed for the weather and don’t forget the spare clothes for afterwards! No partner required, as we rotate partners through the class. Then during our social dance time, everybody asks one another to dance. It’s a beautiful thing.

What is social value?

There are books you can grab to read with your child and on Tuesdays there are free story and rhyme time events from Play Maker Events. I shopped at the supermarket urged to 'chill with prices' and can see why one dad walked out in disgust

Lose yourself in a kaleidoscope of colours, neon floor and funky tunes as you zoom around the rink under the sparkling disco ball! Sarah, who has two boys aged four and two, said it initially took her a while to find the place, but once you know where you're going 'it's actually really easy'. This is another free museum with lots for children of all ages and they have a few small areas for toddlers. They also run free and low cost term time activities for under 5s. Find our review here – Science and Industry museum Manchester. Runway Visitor ParkFlorence also told me: “That’s all people in London seem to care about – career. I don’t know if it’s just the Shoreditch vegan hipsters but they seem to have no real common sense of anything important. I just don’t think they spend enough time thinking about the people around them – I don’t get how they can’t talk on public transport or even look at each other- it’s like everyone is guilty or competing London definitely has great things to it – the gigs and fancy burger places and the fashion. But after a few days you miss the overalls and wellies and the smell of pig shit.” The weather may be a mixed bag this summer, but our welcome is always sunny in Libraries! If you haven’t joined the Summer Reading Challenge already, what are you waiting for? You can sign up at your local library for free! We have lots of other activities to keep you busy including a Saturday Spectacular and the re-opening of Abraham Moss Library too! Head into nature with the Creatures of Cottonopolis guided nature trail For art lovers, The Lowry in collaboration with publishers Macmillan Children’s Books and Scholastic, is hosting a new exhibition celebrating the acclaimed partnership between Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The two have created some of the world’s best-loved and best-selling children’s books, including The Gruffalo, Zog, Room on the Broom, The Smeds and the Smoos, and most recently, The Baddies. Summer Daze at Trafford Centre From glitter-tastic face bling action and disco flashmob dances, to jive-talking banter, you never know what will be happening at the StarWash! Ellie, 20, from Bridgend in Wales, says: “The thing about people from London is you always know they’re from London. It’s like a compulsion where they have to tell people.”

If you live in Salford, you can visit RHS Bridgewater for free on Tuesdays until May 2024. They have some lovely pram-friendly paths and a fantastic play area, including plenty for toddlers. Find out more here – Visiting RHS Bridgewater with kids. Please bring a water bottle, and support our basement bar, which helps us to pay for the venue hire. Why not arrive early, and enjoy a drink in our swing lounge, which is adjacent to the main space. Heaton park, it’s possible to have a full day out here. There’s plenty of space to walk, two great children’s play areas, cafes, a tram museum, an animal centre (free), a boating lake and more. Looking to keep the kids entertained this summer whilst enjoying a meal out? Then head down to MOTLEY Manchester to enjoy their brand new Kids Cinema Club movie screenings, complete with complimentary popcorn for your minis throughout the school summer break.

What toddler is not aeroplane mad? Even if they don’t show much interest the Runway Visitor Park is still a great place to take little ones. Here they can enjoy a wonderful playground and you can watch the aeroplanes take off and land. Manchester police museum From September 2023 to May 2024, our monthly sessions will alternate between Experiment and our Special Exhibitions Gallery, where you can enjoy a playful adventure through Operation Ouch! exhibition. Manchester Central Library has an incredible children’s library that has books perfect for toddlers to enjoy. This is a great way to pass some time in the city centre. There are loads of great parks in Manchester. Here are some suggestions in case you are looking to try a new one. Billed as the funkiest rink in town, the Star Wash Roller Disco is open all summer-long at Trafford Centre, from 19th July – 27th August.