A HUGE city beach with a funfair and water park has reopened in a major UK city, just in time for the school holidays.
With the majority of UK schools breaking up today, July 23, parents will be desperately on the hunt for budget friendly ways to keep the kids entertained.
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Situated outside the Great Hall at Manchester‘s iconic Trafford Centre, the family-friendly attraction is open from July 19 to August 31, and has countless activities to keep little ones occupied for hours.
Access to the fun-packed site costs £3.50 on the door or £3 (plus a 30p booking fee) online.
Once you’ve paid your entrance fee you have free unlimited access to the sandy beach, where you can relax on a deckchair while the kids build sandcastles.
There’s no time limit on your tickets, and the opening times for the attraction are between 12 and 8pm.
You can also try out zorbing in the splash zone and kids can get stuck in to a wide range of free crafts in the Summer Activity Zone.
Each week, the craft tent offers a new theme “packed with imagination, colour, and fun”, with little ones able to try out baking, painting, or building.
If that’s not enough to keep the family entertained, you can also purchase ride tokens for £1 each, with each ride typically costing between three and five tokens.
Adrenaline junkies will love the popular Star Flyer and Sea Storm rides that are guaranteed to have you wanting more.
You can even purchase an ‘ultimate ride’ wristband for £120, which gives you access to all of the attractions for the entire season.
And families can grab a free ‘all inclusive’ wristband, from Guest Services, which allows you to unlock a range of exclusive treats and discounts.
If you’re peckish during your stay, there’s plenty of food on offer, including Belgian waffles, chocolate covered fruit and churros.
Simon Layton, centre director at Trafford Centre, said: “We know how much families look forward to our summer fair, and this year we’re thrilled to bring even more value and creativity with the new Summer Activity Zone.
“Whether you’re making memories on the beach, enjoying the rides or crafting with the kids, this is summer done the Trafford Centre way – fun, affordable and unforgettable.”
More kid friendly activities
This comes as an iconic lido with stunning coastal views has opened exciting new facilities as part of ongoing works.
Where can kids eat for free this summer?
THE summer holidays are here, but entertaining the kids need not cost a fortune.
Here, we reveal where you can get free and cheap meals for your little ones during the ‘endless’ summer holidays.
ASDA CAFE: Nip into an Asda cafe to feed the kids after the weekly shop.
Under-16s get a hot or cold meal for £1 at any time of day.
Little ones are covered, too.
Kids under 18 months get a free Ella’s baby food pouch with any purchase.
BEEFEATER: This family-friendly pub chain makes mornings a breeze.
Two kids under 16 eat for free with the purchase of an adult breakfast for £10.99.
It’s available from 6.30am to 10.30am midweek and 7am to 11am at weekends.
BELLA ITALIA: Book a table and order an adult meal at the Italian eatery for kids aged two to 11 to get three courses and a drink for £1.
Offer valid between 4pm and 6pm on Sundays to Wednesdays.
On Thursdays, kids eat free all day when an adult meal is ordered from the a la carte menu.
DUNELM: Make homeware shopping a fun day out.
Dunelm’s Pausa Cafes are offering free kids’ meals for every £4 spent on their food or drink.
Available all day, every day.
BILL’S: Dine in at a Bill’s restaurant to get up to two free kids’ meals (normally £6.95 each) with an adult meal.
Valid weekdays only until August 30.
IKEA: Make it a food day at the Swedish home store.
On every day except Fridays, enjoy a pit stop at their famous cafe from 11am to get a kids’ pasta or mac and cheese dish for 95p.
Other mini meals are available for £1.50.
PIZZA EXPRESS: Kids up to age ten can get a free three-course Piccolo meal including dough balls, pizza or pasta and dessert with every adult meal purchased.
The offer runs every day until August 11.
TESCO: Pop to the supermarket cafe from Monday to Friday until August 30 for free kids’ meals when an adult buys any item in the cafe.
You must have a Clubcard to redeem the offer.
THE RANGE: Kids under 16 get one free meal per adult main purchased at The Range cafes.
Options include sandwiches, a cooked breakfast and fish and chips.
All kids’ meals come with a piece of fruit and a drink.
The major renovation has totalled £4.5 million and includes a new cove cafe and bar on the premises.
Tinside Lido has been carefully restored and re-imagined as part of the UK’s first National Marine Park.
As part of the work, the first floor of the lido has been brought back into use as a flexible, multi-purpose space.
It has been earmarked for youth activities, digital learning, training, and events, and is supported by a new kitchen and bar facility.
And a free-to-visit soft play has opened at a waterpark this year in time for summer.
SC2 waterpark in Rhyl, Wales was forced to close back in 2023, but opened up again on July 5th, with the addition of a new soft-play area.
The new kids attraction is part of the Rainforest Diner, with the soft play also rainforest themed.
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