If you're looking for a fun day out with the kids, Manchester is home to some great farms. Farms provide an excellent opportunity for kids to learn about animals and farming, as well as exercise and have fun in the great outdoors. Here are our top picks for farms to visit near Manchester.

The Garden House in Marple

The Garden House farm is a great place for kids to visit. Located in Marple near Stockport, there is a great variety of animals to see, including pigs, alpacas, goats, and Shetland ponies. There is also a sensory garden and a riverside walk, which are perfect for exploring. This charity and community farm is open 6 days per week (closed on Mondays) and no booking is required - just drop by and donate what you can. This makes it a perfect option for families on a budget.

Cockfields Farm in Ashton-Under-Lyne

Cockfields Farm is a fantastic day out for kids and families alike. Located in Ashton-Under-Lyne near Oldham, it has a variety of animals that they can meet and learn about. There are lots of outdoor activities, such as a giant bouncy cushion and a huge play frame, which kids will love! The farm also has an aquarium, which is perfect for those days when the weather may not be the best. There are regular themed weeks, such as princesses and pirates, which make the farm even more fun for kids.

Smithills Open Farm in Bolton

If you're looking for a great farm to take your kids to near Manchester, Smithills Open Farm in Bolton is a great option. With a wide range of animals to see and feed, as well as tractor and donkey rides, it's perfect for keeping the little ones entertained. There's also a sandpit, bouncy castles, and an adventure playground, making it the perfect place for birthday parties too. With plenty of activities to keep them entertained, as well as a wide range of animals to see and feed, it's the perfect place to take the family for a day out. Under 2s are free, and parking is available on site.

Heaton Park Animal Centre in Manchester

If you're looking for a free activity to keep the kids entertained, a trip to Heaton Park Animal Centre is a great option. While it's not technically a farm, the animal centre is home to a variety of common farmyard animals like cows and sheep, as well as more exotic species like llamas and alpacas. The kids will love getting up close and personal with the animals, and they can even help feed them. There's also a play area and a boating lake on-site, as well as a cafe.

Reddish Vale Farm in Stockport

Reddish Vale Farm is perfect for kids because it has a variety of activities to keep them entertained. There is an animal farm, with all sorts of different animals to see, as well as a riding school where kids can learn to ride horses. There are also large indoor and outdoor play areas, as well as a bouncy castle, so kids can have plenty of fun. Children will love feeding the animals and getting close to them, and they will also have a great time playing in the large outdoor play area.

There are plenty of farms near Manchester that offer fun and educational activities for kids. If you're looking for a way to get your children out into nature and teach them about the food chain and animals, there is no better place than a local farm.

Photo by Brian Wangenheim on Unsplash