Two Manchester museums named in Europe's top 10 most family-friendly

We know that Manchester has some amazing museums and now that's been acknowledged in a list of some of the most family-friendly ones in Europe.

The top 10 has been highlighted by online booking travel company Omio ahead of International Museum Day on May 18.

Manchester's much-loved Science and Industry Museum comes in at number three, with the People's History Museum at number nine.

Most of the museums on the list are in England, with London's Royal Air Force Museum in second place and The World of Beatrix Potter in Windermere at number 10.

Read more: Giant woodland adventure playground opens at attraction loved by Manchester families

CosmoCaixa, in Barcelona, has been ranked number one in Europe. It offers free admission for children under 16 and allows them to experience all things science.

Featuring interactive exhibitions that cover a range of topics from the cosmos to the ecosystem of the Amazon rainforest, CosmoCaixa is billed as 'the perfect trip for families to help build children’s knowledge in a super fun way'.

Manchester's Science and Industry Museum is also free entry and 'enables children to learn about the evolution of science, technology and Manchester’s industrial heritage, through interactive installations and workshops'.

It's currently hosting the world premiere exhibition Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You, based on the CBBC show featuring Dr Xand, Dr Chris and Dr Ronx.

The ticketed exhibition, which runs until June 9, lets visitors venture inside giant jaws, squeeze through the small intestine and even don a poo hat to experience being flushed down a rather large loo. Dr Chris and Dr Ronx will actually be making appearances there on May 18 and 25, giving families the opportunity to meet the TV personalities.

There are loads more activities on offer at the museum, with a programme of events planned for bank holidays and school holidays.

Activities planned for this May include a ‘Brilliant Bodies Bank Holiday Weekender’, from May 4 to 6, 'showcasing the wonderful things our bodies are capable of through awe-inspiring demonstrations and interactive events'.

Then, during May half term - May 25 to June 2 - visitors can take along their cuddly friends to learn more about the body at the museum’s teddy bear hospital.

As the 'national museum of democracy', the People's History Museum might not be the first place that springs to mind when you’re thinking of places to visit with the kids, but there's a range of exhibitions and activities on offer appealing to children of all ages.

New for 2024 is the museum’s Banner Exhibition, featuring 26 banners chosen from the largest collection of political and trade union banners in the world. During their visit kids can play Banner Bingo, looking out for different images throughout the exhibition. They have two versions of the bingo, one more challenging than the other, so it’s suitable for different ages. Afterwards they can collect a small prize for taking part.

The Little Suffragettes Trail is aimed at children aged five to 12, for them to discover how women have campaigned for equality, from the women of Peterloo, to the Pankhursts, to the present. A Radical Women trail is more suitable for older kids. Trail sheets cost £1.50 for the younger trail and £2.50 for the older one.

Sally MacDonald, director of the Science and Industry Museum, said: “We know our museum holds a really special place in the hearts of many families, lots of whom have visited us for generations, so it’s wonderful to have been recognised in this way.

“Every day there’s something exciting for families to explore, including story times, imaginative play, science shows and of our interactive Experiment Gallery. Our programme of special events is also designed with families at its core. From our exciting Experitots sessions to themed holiday activities, our current world-premiere exhibition, Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You and ultimate gaming experience Power Up!, there are loads of fantastic ways for families to get stuck into science together. This year also sees the return of the celebrated Manchester Science Festival in October.

“It’s especially significant to have been named on this list while we’re undergoing a multi-million pound regeneration project to repair our heritage buildings and improve the museum. Next year will see Power Hall, one of our best-loved galleries, reopening as well as the introduction of another fantastically fun, family-friendly exhibition. We can’t wait to welcome more visitors from near and far to be come and be inspired by ideas that change the world.”

Liz Thorpe, learning officer at People’s History Museum, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be named as one of the top 10 most family-friendly museums In Europe, and that this recognition is thanks to families who have visited People’s History Museum and shared their experiences.

"We try to make important topics around democracy, representation and the desire to see a fairer world for all exciting, relevant and inspiring to our visitors, so it is wonderful to know how much families are enjoying the experiences that we create.”

Using Tripadvisor data, Omio filtered museums by the following categories: ‘Children’s Museums’ and 'Good for kids'. The results from this were then ranked by travellers' favourites to determine the top 10 most family-friendly museums in Europe.

The top 10 includes

• CosmoCaixa, Barcelona, Spain

• Royal Air Force Museum, London

• Science and Industry Museum, Manchester

• Muse: Science Museum, Trento, Italy

• Chaplin's World, Vaud, Switzerland

• Lego House, Billund, Denmark

• Welcome to Rome, Rome, Italy

• Nemo Science Museum, Amsterdam, Holland

• People's History Museum, Manchester

• The World of Beatrix Potter, Windermere