Are you looking to take your child(ren) out over the remaining days of the Easter holiday but don’t know where to go? Check out the following SEND-friendly places and events that you could visit with the family over the weekend…
Manchester Duck Race
Friday, 19 April, 11am-4pm (New Bailey / Spinningfields)
Watch hundreds (Maybe thousands? Let the kids guess!) of yellow rubber ducks race along the Spinningfields area of the River Irwell or try the different family activities – including gooey “slime challenges” – in this year’s rendition of the annual Manchester Duck Race.
Please note that the event will surely be very busy and, while it is not exactly advertised as “SEND-friendly”, proceeds from the event will benefit children accessing a Brainwave Programme.
A few useful tips:
- If it gets too busy for the kids, check out the People’s History Museum nearby. They have worked with parents and disabled people about inclusivity and accessibility, including producing a social story and video together with the Manchester Parent Champions
- From what we know, the closest public accessible toilets are in PHM (1 minute away) and in the Museum of Science and Industry (about 5mins walk).
Flip Out’s “ASD and Disability Sessions”
Sunday, 21 April, 10-11am (Flip Out Manchester)
Here’s what Flip Out has to say about these inclusive trampolining sessions:
During these sessions, we turn the music down low and the disco lights off to create a more relaxing environment.
Each session costs £7.50. Carers can come along for free.
Socks are required for the jumper and the carer for a price of £2 each
These sessions are on every Sunday and will be available as well this weekend.
Book via: https://www.rollerdigital.com/flipoutmanchester/products/asd#/sessions
Manchester Art Gallery
Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm (including Easter Monday); Closed on Good Friday 19 April
While MAG’s “Open Doors” workshop – their autism-friendly sessions, which normally take place on the third Saturday of every month – is unfortunately not on this Saturday the 20th, the art gallery does say that they “are dedicated to being accessible to all our family audiences. Please ask a member of staff if you need any assistance.”
They have “family explorer toolbelts” – activity packs that “will help you and your families make connections with the artworks, exhibitions and the building in a playful way” – which you can borrow from the front desk. There’s also the Clore Art Studio, an interactive space where families can explore art and have fun in ways that you might not have thought possible in an art gallery (they have hexagonal table tennis!).
Layout of Manchester Art Gallery’s Clore Studio | Image source: manchesterartgallery.org
Manchester Marvels Disability Sports Club
Saturday, 20 April, 1-3pm (Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre)
This is a weekly session, which we previously didn’t know about but found via the SEND Local Offer’s What’s On section.
Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre’s website describes it as:
This is a parent committee led group funded by Wythenshawe Community Housing Group. Fully qualified coaches organise a range of multi-sport activities that improve fitness, confidence and other life skills of young people aged 8-18 years. Young people of all diabilities are welcome to join.
Ages: up to 25 years
You can also learn more about this sports club by visiting MCR Active’s website.
National Football Museum
Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm (including Easter Monday)
Their Autism-friendly Early Opening is unfortunately not on this weekend but they did publish a social story to help prepare your child for the visit, in case you are looking to go.
PHM’s “Doodle Den”
Daily until Tuesday the 22nd, 10am-5pm (People’s History Museum)
PHM describes Doodle Den as “a relaxed space where visitors of all ages can take time out, pick up a pencil and explore ideas through drawing.”
Entry is free and the museum has published a social story to help prepare your child for the visit.
Image Source: People’s History Museum
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