Get involved at the Manchester Art Gallery. © Manchester Art Gallery
Feature: If you're lucky enough to have been to Manchester Art Gallery, you'll know already what a great package it offers for families - and it's all for free.
During the summer holidays 2009, I've been able to get out and about and see what museum, galleries, science centres and heritage sites around the UK have to offer for families and I've just discovered a real gem.
Apologies if you already knew about this treasure and wanted to keep it all to yourself but Manchester Art Gallery is really worth sharing.
Winner of Large Visitor Attraction, England's Northwest Tourism Award 2008 and a finalist in the Guardian Family Friendly Museum of the Year 2008, Manchester Art Gallery has lots of new activities for your children to enjoy alongside the old favourites.
As soon as you enter the Gallery, there are plenty of things to help you and the children access the collections. From the brand new story bags and Explorer tool belts (think Bob the Builder meets arty investigator) to the wonderful Clore Interactive Gallery, children get a totally hands-on experience where touching is positively encouraged. There are Activity bag backpacks too with more challenging activities for older children.
Activities for all ages. © Manchester Art Gallery
Regular family activities including the Family art clubs and an opportunity to meet artists, enrich time spent at Manchester Art Gallery.
The Gallery has been well-thought out for families. Positioned close to the main galleries are smaller, more intimate areas for children to respond to current exhibitions.
After seeing some of the Gallery's collection of urban Manchester, your children can draw their own cityscapes in the nearby drawing space and put them up on the wall. Cosy beanbags are dotted around to help with the creative process.
Or you can head to the current What Are You Like? exhibition and get nosy about how 45 famous figures have described themselves in pictures. Eric Carle (of The Very Hungry Caterpillar fame) and Lauren Child (Charlie and Lola) are amongst the children's favourites featured. There's a lovely part of the gallery with child-friendly tables, chairs and art materials for your little artists to make their own pictures of their likes and dislikes and then display them.
For summer 2009, family activities have been inspired by Zaha Hadid Architects' transformation of the Gallery's largest exhibition space into a celebration of JS Bach - a music hall with a difference. The result is a visual and sonic environment where you can enjoy Bach's solo works with live chamber music in the evenings and recorded music and workshops during the day.
Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays are the days to head to Manchester Art Gallery if you fancy some creative family time together at organised workshops. Based on the breath-taking Zaha Hadid Architects' magical installation, you can take part in the sound snatcher challenge and make listening devices, sound sculptures and enter the giant sound playground to draw, sculpt and play with sensory materials. Who said that kids should have all the fun?
What colour contours would you create for your landscape? © Manchester Art Gallery
As we all know, children are architects as soon as they can toddle, and Manchester Art Gallery has continued the building theme with My space where families can make a mini-portable den together.
Why not pick up a paper pack from the info desk and create mini-models together in the style of architect Zaha Hadid? The examples displayed in the foyer are testament to Hadid's appeal to both young and old.
All of the events are free and are suitable for 3-11 year olds (accompanied by an adult at all times). Sign up from 12:30pm. Facilities are what you'd expect from a family friendly venue with buggy accessibility, baby changing facilities, a kids' menu in the café and high chairs.
For more details of the summer activities, please check out the Manchester Art Gallery website.
And keep in touch with all the latest news for families by the Gallery's free email newsletter.
Manchester has many more family friendly venues to explore. Further details can be found on the Family Friendly website.
Culture24's Learners and Teachers' Editor, Rachel Hayward, stayed in Manchester, courtesy of the Marriott Manchester Victoria & Albert Hotel.
