Finding things to do in Manchester with kids can be easy. Finding something that keeps the whole family involved is a little harder. You want the children entertained, but you also want an activity that the adults can properly join in with rather than simply standing at the side.

Gameface offers a different kind of family activity in Manchester city centre. Located inside Printworks, it brings together ten tech-enhanced games involving throwing, bouncing, memory, reactions, co-ordination and teamwork. The technology connects every game and tracks the scores across the whole experience, creating one shared competition for your family.

Standard tickets include 60 minutes of gameplay, with under-18 tickets available from £9.95. Family sessions typically welcome children aged eight and over, with everyone under 18 accompanied by an adult. Always check the available family sessions when booking, as some evening slots are reserved for adults.

Looking for Fun Things to Do with Kids in Manchester?

A family day out works best when everyone has something to do. Nobody wants to spend the whole activity explaining complicated rules, waiting for one person to finish or trying to convince a bored child to stay involved.

Gameface has been designed around short, easy-to-understand games that get the group playing together. Some challenges reward speed and co-ordination, while others test memory, accuracy, reactions or quick thinking. You do not need any previous experience or serious gaming ability to take part.

Across the ten games, your family might:

• Throw double-sided discs onto a shared target
• Bounce balls through a changing obstacle course
• Race to build words from letter tiles
• Answer questions by throwing balls into targets
• Memorise and recreate patterns as a team
• React to colours across an interactive floor
• Catch and collect falling balls
• Sprint between illuminated buttons
• Fire pucks into your opponents’ side
• Race to complete a series of physical controls

The variety means one family member might dominate a memory game before losing spectacularly on the next physical challenge. That unpredictability keeps the competition open and gives everyone a chance to contribute.

Each game also feeds into a shared leaderboard, so the experience feels connected from beginning to end. The technology handles the structure and scoring while your family focuses on moving, competing and trying to sabotage one another at exactly the right moment.

For parents searching for fun things to do with kids in Manchester, Gameface provides something that children and adults can experience on equal terms. You are not only taking them somewhere to play. You are part of the game too.

An Indoor Family Activity That Works Whatever the Weather

Manchester weather has a habit of changing the plan. An outdoor activity can look perfect in the morning and become a washout by lunchtime, which is not ideal when you have already organised travel and promised the children a day out.

Gameface is completely indoors, making it a dependable option when it is raining, cold or simply too unpredictable to plan around the forecast. Once your session is booked, you know the activity can go ahead without needing a last-minute alternative.

The experience lasts 90 minutes in total, including time to arrive, check in, get ready and socialise before 60 minutes of gameplay. Families should arrive approximately 15 minutes before their scheduled start so there is enough time for the briefing.

Gameface is also open seven days a week from 11am, although available family sessions and prices can vary. Booking in advance is recommended, particularly during weekends and school holidays.

If you are comparing indoor things to do with kids in Manchester, the practical advantages are straightforward:

• The activity is protected from the weather
• Ten different games are included in one session
• Children and adults play together
• No previous experience is needed
• The rules are displayed before each game
• Your family remains together throughout
• The central location is easy to include in a wider day out

Why Is Gameface a Great Option for Kids and Families?

Gameface works well for families because nobody is left watching from the side. Children and adults compete in the same games, contribute to the same scores and experience the wins, mistakes and inevitable family arguments together.

The ten games use a mixture of physical movement and quick thinking. Some require players to throw, catch, sprint or react, while others focus on memory, words, colours and teamwork. This gives different personalities and abilities an opportunity to perform well.

A fast runner might take the lead in Button Up, where players chase illuminated targets across the walls and floor. Someone with a strong memory could pull the family back into contention during Copy Cat. Word Slam rewards quick thinking, while Tossers and Pingedy Pong rely more on accuracy and control.

The games are played in short rounds, so the experience keeps moving. If one challenge is not your favourite, another one is never far away. Clear instructions are shown before each game, helping families understand what to do without sitting through a lengthy explanation.

Gameface games are designed for teams of two to six players. Larger families can split into multiple teams and compete against one another, while your immediate team stays together rather than being mixed with another group.

The shared leaderboard adds a running story to the session. Every result matters, giving family members plenty to celebrate, challenge and remind one another about afterwards.

A Manchester City Centre Activity That Is Easy to Reach

Gameface is located on the ground floor of Printworks, placing it within easy reach of Manchester’s train, tram and bus connections. This makes it a practical option for families travelling into the city without needing to organise a complicated route across Manchester.

The closest transport options include:

• Manchester Victoria: Approximately seven to ten minutes away on foot
• Shudehill Interchange: Approximately three to four minutes away on foot, with tram and bus connections
• Exchange Square tram stop: Approximately three to four minutes away on foot
• Car parking: Available nearby at Printworks, Shudehill and Manchester Arndale

The city-centre location also makes it easier to build Gameface into a wider day out. Families can visit another attraction, go shopping or find somewhere to eat before or after their session without travelling to another part of Manchester.

Gameface does not currently serve food, but Printworks and the surrounding area contain plenty of places to eat. Families can plan lunch or dinner around the booking while still enjoying drinks, including alcohol-free options, at the Gameface bar.

For parents searching for things to do with kids in Manchester city centre, this convenience matters. The activity is indoors, close to public transport and surrounded by other options, giving you more flexibility if you are organising a full day.

Tech-Enhanced Play That Gets Everyone Involved

Gameface uses technology to bring players together. The technology connects each game, responds to the action and carries scores across the venue, but the experience still depends on what your family physically does.

Players are not separated onto individual devices. They are throwing balls and discs, racing across interactive floors, rebuilding patterns, grabbing letter tiles and working out how to beat the people standing next to them.

That balance is important. The smart technology handles the elements that make the competition flow:

• It connects the ten games into one experience
• It recognises the players and teams
• It changes the challenges between rounds
• It responds to physical actions
• It calculates results
• It updates the shared leaderboard
• It keeps the competition moving

This leaves families free to focus on playing together. Children can react to their parents’ attempts, teammates can work out a strategy and everybody can follow how the overall contest is developing.

Technology should shape behaviour, not demand attention. At Gameface, it encourages people to move, communicate, compete and share the same experience. The screen or sensor is never the point on its own. It is there to make the physical game more responsive and connect each challenge to the wider competition.

For families looking for fun things to do with kids in Manchester, this provides a useful middle ground. Gameface has the energy and responsiveness children expect from modern entertainment, but the activity remains active, social and centred on the people they came with.

Planning a Family Day Out in Manchester

A family day out is easier to organise when you have one fixed activity at the centre of the plan. Book that first, then arrange food, travel and any other stops around it.

Gameface provides a clear 90-minute window within your day. This includes arrival, check-in and briefing time followed by 60 minutes of gameplay. Knowing exactly when the experience begins and ends makes it easier to plan lunch, shopping or another Manchester attraction.

A straightforward plan could look like this:

1. Travel into Manchester city centre by train, tram or bus.
2. Arrive at Gameface 15 minutes before your booked session.
3. Complete 60 minutes of games as a family.
4. Choose somewhere nearby for lunch or dinner.
5. Continue with another attraction, shopping or a walk through the city centre.

Gameface does not currently serve food, so families should plan where they would like to eat before arriving. Printworks and the surrounding city-centre streets provide plenty of options within walking distance.

Book your family session in advance

Advance booking is recommended, particularly during weekends, school holidays and wet-weather days. Walk-in spaces may be available during quieter periods, but booking ahead removes the risk of arriving with excited children and discovering that the suitable sessions are full.

Some Gameface sessions are reserved for adults, particularly during the evening. Family sessions typically welcome children aged eight and over, and everyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Check the age requirements shown for your chosen time before completing the booking.

Choose clothes that are comfortable to move in

Gameface does not require specialist clothing, but several games involve running, reaching, bending and quick movements. Comfortable clothes and suitable footwear will make the experience easier to enjoy.

Family members can sit out any challenge they do not want to play. Most areas and games are accessible, although some physical activities may have limitations. Contact Gameface before visiting if somebody in your family has specific access, sensory or medical requirements.

Keep your belongings with you

Gameface does not have a cloakroom or lockers. Each game has a small area where players can place their belongings, allowing bags and coats to remain with the group throughout the session.

Remember that Gameface is cashless

All payments at Gameface are made by card or contactless payment, including Apple Pay and Google Pay. Families should account for this if children have been given spending money for the day.

For anyone comparing things to do in Manchester with kids, having these practical details in advance makes the day considerably easier. You can arrive knowing what to wear, where to go and what the family will be doing.

What About Free Things to Do with Kids in Manchester?

Manchester has several free family activities, and they can be a brilliant way to build an affordable day out. Museums, libraries, parks and seasonal events give families plenty of options when they want to keep costs down.

Current free ideas include:

• Manchester Museum: The main galleries and exhibitions are free to enter, including natural history collections, the Vivarium and the museum’s Tyrannosaurus rex.
• Manchester libraries: Families can visit public libraries across the city, with free membership available to UK residents and seasonal children’s activities running throughout the year.
• Heaton Park: Entry to the park is free, although parking and some attractions carry a charge. The park’s Animal Centre is also free and includes farm animals, alpacas and tortoises.
• Manchester’s public parks and playgrounds: These can work well on dry days when children need space to run around.
• Free city events: Manchester City Council regularly organises family activities during school holidays, so it is worth checking the current events programme before visiting.

Free and paid activities serve different purposes. A museum or park gives families flexibility, while a booked experience provides a set time, clear structure and an activity everyone can join.

Gameface is a paid option for families who want something organised, competitive and weather-proof. Standard tickets include 60 minutes of gameplay, with under-18 tickets starting from £9.95 and adult tickets priced at £19.95 at the time of writing.

One way to manage the cost is to combine Gameface with a free activity. You could spend part of the day at a museum, library or park, then finish with a booked Gameface session where the whole family plays together.

That gives children variety without filling the day wit several paid attractions. It also provides a reliable indoor plan if the weather makes your original free activity less practical. That gives children variety without filling the day with several paid attractions. It also provides a reliable indoor plan if the weather makes your original free activity less practical.

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FAQs About Things to Do in Manchester with Kids

What are the best things to do in Manchester with kids?

The best family activities in Manchester depend on your children’s ages, interests and the weather. Popular options include museums, parks, interactive attractions and city-centre experiences that can be combined with food or shopping.

Gameface is a strong option for families who want something active and competitive. Children and adults take part in ten connected physical and mental games, with every result contributing to one shared leaderboard.

Are there indoor things to do with kids in Manchester?

Manchester has plenty of indoor family activities, including museums, galleries, cinemas and interactive entertainment venues.

Gameface is completely indoors and open seven days a week, making it a dependable choice when the weather is wet or cold. Booking in advance is recommended during weekends and school holidays.

What are some fun things to do with kids in Manchester city centre?

Families can visit museums, shop, eat out or book an interactive activity in Manchester city centre. Choosing a central activity helps reduce travel time and makes it easier to combine several parts of the day.

Gameface is located inside Printworks, close to Manchester Victoria, Shudehill Interchange and Exchange Square. This makes it easy to reach by train, tram or bus.

Are there free things to do with kids in Manchester?

Yes. Free things to do with kids in Manchester include visiting Manchester Museum, exploring the city’s parks, using public libraries and attending seasonal family events.

Families can combine a free attraction with a paid Gameface session to create a varied day without paying for several separate activities.

Is Gameface a good family activity in Manchester?

Gameface is a good family activity for children and adults who enjoy friendly competition, physical challenges and quick-thinking games. The ten games involve throwing, catching, memory, accuracy, co-ordination and teamwork.

Family sessions typically welcome children aged eight and over. Everyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, and some evening sessions are reserved for over-18s.

How old do children need to be to visit Gameface?

Younger players are typically welcome during daytime and family sessions from around eight years old. Available sessions and age requirements can vary, so check the details shown during booking.

All under-18s must attend with an adult.

How long does a family session at Gameface last?

A Gameface visit lasts approximately 90 minutes, including preparation, check-in and social time. Families receive 60 minutes of gameplay.

Arrive around 15 minutes before your scheduled start time. Arriving late may reduce the amount of time available to play.

How much does Gameface cost for families?

Standard tickets currently start from £9.95 for under-18s and cost £19.95 for adults. A standard ticket includes 60 minutes of gameplay across the Gameface experience.

Prices may vary by date, time or seasonal offer, so check the booking page for the exact cost of your chosen session.

How many people can play together?

The games are designed for teams of two to six players. Larger families can split into multiple teams and compete against one another.

Your immediate team stays together throughout the experience and will not be mixed with another group.

Do families need to book Gameface in advance?

Advance booking is recommended, particularly during evenings, weekends, school holidays and periods of wet weather.

Walk-in availability may exist at quieter times, but booking ahead guarantees that your family has a suitable session.

Does Gameface serve food?

Gameface does not currently have a food menu. The bar serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, which can be taken into the experience.

Printworks and the surrounding city centre have several places to eat before or after your session.

Is Gameface accessible?

Most Gameface areas and games are accessible, although some physical challenges may have limitations. Players can sit out any game they do not feel comfortable taking part in.

Contact Gameface before visiting if someone in your family has specific access, sensory or medical requirements. The team can explain the experience and help you plan your visit.

Plan Your Family Day Out at Gameface

If you are searching for things to do in Manchester with kids that the adults can enjoy too, Gameface gives the family one shared challenge rather than ten separate distractions.

Across 60 minutes of gameplay, you will throw, bounce, catch, remember, react and work together through ten tech-enhanced games. Every result feeds into the shared leaderboard, so the competition continues until the end of your session.

Gameface is indoors at Printworks in Manchester city centre, close to major train, tram and bus connections. Under-18 tickets start from £9.95, with family sessions typically suitable for children aged eight and over.

Choose your family session, assemble the most competitive members of your household and find out who really has the best Gameface.

Book your Gameface family session

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