If you are searching for kids activities Manchester has plenty of familiar options, but Gameface offers something a little harder to find: an experience where children and adults compete together across ten connected physical and mental games.

Located inside Printworks, Gameface combines throwing, catching, memory, movement, reactions and teamwork within one 60-minute competition. The games use smart technology to recognise players, respond to their actions and carry every score into a shared leaderboard.

Children are not sitting separately or concentrating on individual devices. They are racing their parents across interactive floors, firing pucks at opposing teams, rebuilding patterns, throwing balls into targets and trying to steal the lead before time runs out.

Standard tickets start from £9.95 for under-18s and £19.95 for adults. Family sessions typically welcome children aged eight and over, with everyone under 18 accompanied by an adult.

Looking for Fun Kids Activities in Manchester?

The best kids activities give children something clear to do without asking parents to spend the whole session explaining rules or keeping everyone entertained.

Gameface is built around ten short games, each with a different physical or mental challenge. Some reward speed, while others favour accuracy, memory, vocabulary or teamwork. The variety gives different family members an opportunity to become the person everyone else suddenly needs to beat.

Tossers

Tossers challenges teams to throw double-sided discs onto a shared target board. Each disc can land in favour of either team, so one successful throw can change the result completely.

The game rewards accuracy but leaves enough unpredictability for children and adults to remain competitive.

Pingedy Pong

Players bounce balls down a lane filled with angled panels. Each round introduces a different objective, which could involve hitting certain areas, avoiding others or creating the perfect sequence of ricochets.

Pingedy Pong is simple to begin but difficult to control, making every lucky bounce feel suspiciously intentional.

Word Slam

An image appears on screen and players race to collect letter tiles and build a matching word. Fast thinking matters, but so does finding the letters before another player grabs them.

Word Slam gives children who enjoy words, spelling and quick decisions a chance to take control of the competition.

Dunk-o-Matic

Multiple-choice questions appear, and players answer by throwing balls into the corresponding holes. Your answer only counts if the ball remains there when the timer ends.

Correct knowledge is useful, but defending your answer and knocking out the opposition can be just as important.

Copy Cat

A pattern appears briefly before disappearing. Teams must remember what they saw and recreate it using their console.

Copy Cat tests memory and communication. Family members need to agree on the pattern quickly rather than spending the round confidently remembering three different versions.

Eye Dropper

Players respond to prompts involving flags, logos and familiar colour combinations. They must race across their personal floor grid and cover the correct colours before their opponents.

Eye Dropper combines visual recognition with speed and movement, turning a colour challenge into an energetic race.

Balls, Balls, Balls

Balls fall onto the playing area and players attempt to catch, collect and funnel as many as possible into their container. New rounds introduce different instructions and scoring rules.

The game is fast, physical and deliberately chaotic, with everyone reacting at the same time.

Button Up

Illuminated targets appear across the walls and floor. Players must sprint, reach and dodge to hit their assigned buttons before anybody else.

Button Up is one of the more active Gameface challenges and rewards quick reactions as much as speed.

Puck Off

Teams use elastic launchers to send pucks through gates and into their opponents’ side of the arena. When the timer ends, the team with the fewest pucks remaining on its side wins.

The objective is instantly understandable, but the pace rises quickly once both teams begin firing pucks back at one another.

Switcheroo

Players pull, spin, flick and plunge a series of physical controls to activate every light. One incorrect move can send the team back to the beginning.

Switcheroo rewards observation and teamwork, particularly when the family can agree who is responsible for each control.

Together, these ten challenges make Gameface different from Manchester kids activities based around one repeated format. If speed is not your strength, memory or accuracy might be. Every game offers another opportunity to change the leaderboard.

Indoor Kids Activities in Manchester That Make Planning Easier

Manchester weather can turn an outdoor plan into a last-minute search for somewhere dry. Choosing an indoor activity removes that uncertainty and gives families a reliable plan for weekends and school holidays.

Gameface is completely indoors and open seven days a week from 11am. Once you have booked a family session, the experience can go ahead regardless of rain, wind or cold weather.

A Gameface visit lasts approximately 90 minutes:

• Arrive around 15 minutes before your scheduled start
• Check in and receive the experience briefing
• Prepare drinks and organise your team
• Complete 60 minutes of gameplay
• Review the final competition and leaderboard

The games are played in short rounds, which helps maintain the pace throughout the session. Families move between different challenges rather than spending the full hour repeating one activity.

Advance booking is recommended for weekends, school holidays and wet-weather days. Some evening sessions are reserved for adults, so parents should select an appropriate family session when booking.

For families comparing indoor kids activities in Manchester, Gameface provides a fixed start time, clear session length and ten different challenges under one roof. That makes it easier to organise than a plan depending on the weather or several separate attractions.

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Why Gameface Stands Out For Kids and Families

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Why Gameface Stands Out for Kids and Families Many children’s activities are designed almost entirely around the children, leaving adults to supervise from the sidelines. Gameface is different because the games give everyone a reason to participate.

Parents, children, siblings and friends compete in the same challenges, contribute to the same team score and follow their progress on one connected leaderboard. Adults are not simply waiting for the session to finish. They are trying to remember patterns, hit targets and stop their children from overtaking them.

The technology supports this shared experience by:

• Recognising players and teams throughout the session
• Recording results automatically after each game
• Carrying scores from one challenge to the next
• Responding to physical actions, movement and decisions
• Creating an overall competition rather than ten unrelated activities

There is always a screen-free physical or social action at the centre of the game. Players might throw a ball, launch a puck, cross an interactive floor or work together to solve a problem. The technology connects those actions, but it does not replace them.

Different Games Reward Different Strengths

Gameface does not require every participant to be the fastest, strongest or most accurate player in the group. Its ten games test a mixture of skills, including:

• Memory
• Reactions
• Coordination
• Communication
• Vocabulary
• Accuracy
• Problem-solving
• Teamwork

One child might dominate a fast reaction game before being overtaken by a parent during a word challenge. A younger player who struggles with accuracy might remember the pattern that helps their team win the next round.

That variety makes the competition more balanced and gives different members of the family an opportunity to become the unlikely hero.

Simple to Understand, Difficult to Master

Each challenge is introduced before play begins, so families do not need previous gaming experience or specialist knowledge. The basic objectives are easy to understand, while the changing conditions and competitive scoring stop the games from becoming predictable.

The rounds are also relatively short. If someone finds one challenge difficult, the group will soon move on to something completely different. This helps maintain energy and interest throughout the 60-minute session.

Designed for Shared Participation

Teams usually contain between two and six players. Larger groups can be divided into separate teams, creating an opportunity for families or friendship groups to compete against one another.

Your booking is not mixed with unfamiliar players, allowing children to relax and compete with people they already know. Everyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, and family sessions are typically recommended for children aged eight and over.

A Manchester City Centre Activity That Is Easy to Reach

Gameface is located on the ground floor of Printworks at:

27 Withy Grove, Manchester, M4 2BS

Its central location makes it a practical choice for families travelling from across Greater Manchester or combining the activity with other plans in the city.

Manchester Victoria is approximately a seven-to-ten-minute walk away, while the Shudehill and Exchange Square tram stops are even closer. Families travelling by car can use nearby parking facilities at Printworks, the Arndale or Shudehill.

Being based inside Printworks also means there are plenty of cafés and restaurants nearby. Gameface does not currently serve food, but families can arrange lunch or dinner elsewhere in the complex before or after their session. Drinks, including non-alcoholic options, are available from the Gameface bar.

This makes it easier to build a complete day around the activity without travelling between different parts of Manchester.

Kids Activities Near Manchester Victoria

For families arriving by train, finding kids activities near Manchester Victoria can reduce the amount of walking, navigating and additional transport required.

Gameface is close enough to reach on foot from the station and has a defined session time, so it can be planned around train arrivals, meals or other city-centre attractions.

Families should aim to arrive around 15 minutes before their booking. This provides time to check in, get settled and listen to the instructions before the competition begins.

A Better Option for Birthdays, Weekends and School Holidays

Gameface can work as a standalone family activity or as the main event within a larger day in Manchester.

Kids’ Birthday Activities in Manchester

A Gameface session gives a birthday group a ready-made activity with clear rules, multiple challenges and an overall winner. Parents do not need to organise games at home or find different ways to keep the group occupied.

Because the experience includes ten varied challenges, children are not relying on one activity holding their attention for the entire booking. The shared leaderboard also creates an ongoing competition that lasts until the final scores are revealed.

Teams are generally designed for two to six players. Larger birthday groups can be separated into multiple teams, although families should contact Gameface in advance to discuss the most suitable group arrangement.

Food is not currently served inside the venue, so any birthday meal will need to be arranged separately. Printworks and the surrounding city centre provide plenty of nearby options.

Weekend Activities for Families

Weekends can quickly become expensive or complicated when families try to combine several smaller activities. Gameface provides one structured experience lasting approximately 90 minutes from arrival to departure, including 60 minutes of gameplay.

That defined schedule makes it easier to plan the rest of the day. Families could visit Gameface before lunch, use it as an afternoon activity or book it as part of an evening in Manchester.

Weekend sessions can be popular, so booking ahead is recommended if you need a particular time.

School Holiday Activities in Manchester

During the school holidays, families often need activities that work regardless of the weather and feel different from an ordinary day at home.

Gameface is completely indoors and open seven days a week from 11am. The combination of physical play, problem-solving and friendly competition provides a change of pace without depending on sunshine or dry conditions.

Availability may be more limited during school holidays and on wet days, so advance booking is advisable. Families should also check the session details carefully, as some evening times may be reserved for adults.

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Planning Kids Activities in Manchester Without the Stress

A successful family day out does not need a complicated itinerary. Choosing an activity with a clear start time, predictable duration and central location can make the rest of the day much easier to organise.

Before visiting Gameface, families should:

• Book in advance, particularly during weekends and school holidays
• Check that the selected time is a family session
• Arrive approximately 15 minutes before the booking
• Allow around 90 minutes for the complete experience
• Wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for physical games
• Arrange food separately if required
• Bring a payment card, as Gameface is a cashless venue

There is no cloakroom at the venue, so it is sensible to avoid bringing large bags or unnecessary belongings.

Most areas and games are accessible, although the physical nature of individual challenges may present limitations for some players. Families with specific accessibility requirements should contact Gameface before booking so the team can provide appropriate guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kids Activities in Manchester

What are some of the best kids activities in Manchester?

The best kids activities in Manchester provide enough variety to hold children’s attention while giving adults an opportunity to join in. Gameface offers ten physical and mental games connected through one competitive leaderboard, making it suitable for families who want a more active and social alternative to passive entertainment.

Manchester also has museums, indoor play venues, cinemas, bowling, escape rooms and outdoor attractions. The right choice will depend on the children’s ages, the weather and how much time the family has available.

What indoor kids activities are available in Manchester?

Manchester has numerous indoor kids activities, including interactive games, museums, climbing centres, bowling alleys, cinemas and creative workshops.

Gameface is a completely indoor experience inside Printworks. Players compete across ten short games involving movement, memory, throwing, reactions and teamwork. As the activity does not depend on the weather, it can be booked throughout the year.

Are there kids activities in Manchester city centre?

Families can find plenty of kids activities in Manchester city centre, including attractions around Printworks, the Arndale, the Northern Quarter and Manchester Victoria.

Gameface is situated on the ground floor of Printworks, close to Manchester Victoria, Shudehill and Exchange Square. Its location makes it easy to reach by train, tram, bus or car and convenient to combine with nearby shops, restaurants and other attractions.

Is Gameface suitable for a family day out?

Yes. Gameface is designed to let children and adults participate in the same experience rather than separating players by age. Each session includes ten games testing different physical and mental skills, with all results contributing to a shared leaderboard.

Family sessions are typically suitable for children aged eight and over. Anyone under 18 must attend with an accompanying adult, and families should confirm that their chosen booking time permits under-18s.

Does Gameface involve a lot of screen time?

No. The technology connects the games, recognises players and records scores, but the experience itself is based on physical movement and social competition.

Players throw balls and discs, launch pucks, press illuminated targets, cross interactive floors and solve challenges together. The technology responds to those actions instead of asking children to sit and play independently on personal screens.

How long does a Gameface session last?

The gameplay lasts approximately 60 minutes. Families should arrive around 15 minutes before their scheduled start time and allow approximately 90 minutes for the complete visit, including check-in, instructions and preparation.

Arriving late may reduce the amount of time available to play, particularly when other sessions are booked afterwards.

How many people can play Gameface?

Gameface games are generally designed for teams of between two and six people. Larger groups can be divided into multiple teams, allowing friends and family members to compete against one another.

Bookings are not combined with groups of unfamiliar players. For larger family gatherings or birthday celebrations, contact Gameface before booking to discuss the available group options.

Can Gameface work for a child’s birthday celebration?

Yes. Gameface can provide the main activity for a child’s birthday, with ten games and an overall leaderboard giving the group a complete competition to play through.

The venue does not currently serve food, so families will need to arrange any birthday meal separately. There are several restaurants and cafés within Printworks and the surrounding city centre.

How much does Gameface cost for children?

Standard under-18 tickets start from £9.95, while adult tickets start from £19.95. Prices and available sessions may vary, so families should check the booking page for current information before arranging their visit.

Do adults need to participate?

Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult. Gameface is designed as a shared competitive experience, so adults are encouraged to participate rather than simply supervise.

With games testing memory, vocabulary, reactions, accuracy and teamwork, parents may find themselves every bit as involved in the competition as the children.

What should players wear?

Comfortable everyday clothing and suitable footwear are recommended. Several challenges involve walking quickly, reaching, throwing or moving between targets, so players should wear something that allows them to participate comfortably.

Book a Kids Activity in Manchester City Centre

If you are looking for kids activities in Manchester that adults can enjoy too, Gameface brings the whole family into one connected competition.

Across ten games and 60 minutes of play, you will throw, catch, remember, react, solve problems and compete for the top position on the final leaderboard. Every round offers a new challenge and another opportunity for someone to change the result.

Gameface is open seven days a week from 11am and is located inside Printworks, a short walk from Manchester Victoria, Shudehill and Exchange Square.

Book your family session and discover who really has the best Gameface.

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