Things to do in Manchester When You’re 3

Flea and I were invited to Manchester this weekend to try out the city's cultural attractions.

Since we are completely ALL ABOUT high culture and stuff we jumped at the chance to spend a few days exploring the various  kid-friendly exhibits and events at Manchester's many museums, galleries and public spaces.

Here's our run-down of the best things to do in Manchester when you're three: 

Bagsy the best bed while Mummy figures out how the lights work (yes, she had to call reception in the end.) 

Discover the BEST way to watch movies: on a spotty blanket, with cushions, a picnic and colouring book. The blanket may come in  handy for hiding under later when "Where the Wild Things Are" comes on.

Take in the Lowry Museum's 'Express Yourself' dance exhibition with some friends.  (l-r: Flea, Slinky Lizard, Max the Monkey).

If it's sunny take a stroll along the canal and admire the architecture of the Quays – sadly, one of us missed most of it because she kept admiring her new stickers.

Check out the fine cuisine at the Manchester Museum, where all the food is organic and even the water is ethically sourced. And it is all served in a dinosaur box, of course. 

When travelling in swanky circles it is imperative that one remembers that one is a young lady AT ALL TIMES.

Ignore the ballet outfits. They're for girls.Yeuch.

Everyone knows it's way cooler to be a "pirate cowboy robot"

Round off the weekend with a physical interpretation of the 'Dash' character after an open-air screening of The Incredibles. How Mummy laughed when she realised I wasn't going to stop.

ps: things to do in Manchester when you're 34

Find two grown men practising dance moves in the "choreography" area of the museum, with not a child in sight. Snigger like an eight-year-old.

Of course, thanks to everyone at Creativetourist.com who arranged the trip for us. Some top recommendations if you find yourself in Manchester over the holidays with kids:

The Lowry has a great dance exhibition for kids, with lots of room to run around

Urbis has fantastic activities and interactive exhibits for kids, and Flea adored the weird diagonal glass elevator and interactive soundscape playground.

Manchester Museum is great if your kids are into dinosaurs, lizards, frogs, tigers and
elephants. Although you might want to plan in advance how you'll
explain 'taxidermy' to your toddler, which I, er, didn't.

Finally, check out the Family Friendly Film Festival which runs all summer: it's just brilliant with everything from Harry Potter festivals and fairy days to family-friendly screenings with animation, manga, short films, international movies and lots of dressing up, picnics and stickers.