Whether you fancy an afternoon boogie at the Castle Club disco, a lazy stroll around Once Upon a Time Square or a sneaky siesta in Grandma’s caravan – but watch out for the wolf! – there’s summer fun aplenty at the Fairy Tales interactive exhibition.
Running Tuesday-Saturday throughout the summer holidays at Z-arts in Hulme, close to Manchester city centre, Fairy Tales is an imaginative storytelling experience for children aged 0-8. It is designed to encourage role play and exploration, bringing to life some of the most loved traditional tales from around the world, including The Three Bears, Jack and the Beanstalk and the spider Anansi.
The adventure begins with a short story time, after which families are free to discover the fairy tale town under their own steam. Timed entry throughout the day ensures it never gets overcrowded.
The weather is always good in the land of fairy tales, making it the perfect staycation destination.
Budding builders can try their hand with a choice of construction materials including straw, sticks and for the ultra-traditional, bricks, at Huff and Puff Builders’ Yard. Whilst canny cooks are invited to rustle up a feast at Hansel & Gretel’s Oven Door café and wannabe influencers can see themselves on screen at Spider Anansi’s TV newsroom.
The great outdoors comes indoors at Fairy Tales: explore the lush Enchanted Forest, enter the Cave of Wonders and trip trap over the Troll Bridge all without needing to break out your wellies. Rain or shine, mini adventurers will love to sit in a giant’s footprint, learn their Rumpelstiltskin names and visit the market to help Jack win some magic beans.
The exhibition, which runs until February 2023, has been designed by Discover Children’s Story Centre in London, in collaboration with illustrator David Litchfield and author Ross Montgomery.
With free street parking (3 hours) and a family friendly café, Z-arts’ relaxed and inclusive atmosphere makes Fairy Tales a rewarding day out for families of all kinds.
Saskia Metcalf, Z-arts, said: “Snuggling up and listening to fairy tales such as Anansi or Goldilocks is as much a part of early childhood as your first day at school, learning to ride a bike, or taking your first steps.
“The Fairy Tales exhibition gives children and families the opportunity to explore these familiar stories in an kid-sized immersive world creating opportunities for imaginative role play, storytelling, and lots of fun. It’s really like being inside a pop -up book of Fairy Tales. ”
Access to the exhibition (50 minutes) is via timed entry and costs £8 per person (£3 for babes in arms).
Fairy Tales is open Tuesday- Saturday throughout the summer with entry at 10am, 11.30am and 1pm. The last Saturday of every month is an accessible session for families with additional needs. Birthday parties are available on Saturday afternoons.
You can buy tickets here or by calling the box office on 0161 226 1912