A Family Day at HOME Manchester: Crafts, Creativity and Malory Towers
- Jun 12
- 5 min read
Family Day at HOME Manchester
Last Saturday we enjoyed a Family Day at HOME Manchester after being invited along to HOME's Family Creator Day. Later that evening, Alice and I returned to watch Malory Towers, giving us the opportunity to experience several different sides of what HOME has to offer families.
HOME is an arts centre in the heart of Manchester, bringing together theatre, cinema, exhibitions and creative activities under one roof. Alongside its year-round programme of family theatre productions, HOME also offers family film screenings, relaxed screenings, workshops, exhibitions and seasonal family events.
One of the reasons we visit so often is how easy it is to get to. Located in the city centre, it's accessible by bus, tram and train, making it a convenient option for family days out.
When we arrived, Alice and Leo were both delighted to receive colourful HOME Family balloons and stickers. It was a lovely start to the day and immediately got them excited about the activities ahead.
A Morning in Creativity Corner
The first part of the event took place in Creativity Corner, HOME's dedicated family space.
If you've ever visited HOME before a family performance, you've probably seen Creativity Corner tucked away in the foyer. We almost always arrive early for shows and the children usually head straight there while we wait for the auditorium doors to open.
Although both Alice and Leo enjoy arts and crafts, they often spend their time there very differently.
Alice loves imaginative play and will usually make a beeline for the dressing-up costumes, puppets, toy castle and dolls. She can happily spend ages creating stories and characters of her own.
Leo, on the other hand, is much more likely to pick up some colouring, get involved with a craft activity or find a book to read.
The Family Creator Day activities gave them both plenty to enjoy. Alice spent time drawing colourful pictures while Leo carefully created a jellyfish craft using coloured card and tissue paper.
What I really liked was how relaxed the session felt. There was no pressure to follow instructions or create anything specific. The children were simply encouraged to be creative and enjoy themselves.
It was lovely watching them proudly show off their finished creations once they were done.
Why We Love Creativity Corner
One of the reasons I wanted to mention Creativity Corner in this post is because it's genuinely become part of our routine whenever we visit HOME.
It's easy to focus on the theatre performances themselves, but having somewhere the children can play, draw, read and explore before a show makes a huge difference. Whether they're dressing up, colouring or playing with the toys, it helps build excitement before the performance begins.
For families attending a show at HOME, I'd definitely recommend arriving a little early to make the most of the space.
Trying HOME Bar & Kitchen for the First Time
After a busy morning of crafting, it was time for lunch.
A selection of pizzas, chips, salads and drinks was provided for the families attending the event.
Despite visiting HOME regularly over the years, this was actually our first time eating at the venue.
The pizza and chips were a huge hit with all four of us. Alice, Leo, Lawrence and I all thoroughly enjoyed our lunch and were pleasantly surprised by how good it was.
We'll definitely be considering getting food at HOME after future family shows because it made for a really relaxed experience and saved us having to find somewhere else to eat afterwards.
Looking Ahead to Little HOME
Unfortunately, we couldn't stay for the afternoon screening of Monsters, Inc. because we already had plans elsewhere.
However, the event gave us the chance to learn more about HOME's wider family programme, which includes family theatre productions, family and relaxed cinema screenings, workshops, creative activities, free exhibitions and seasonal events such as Little HOME.
We've attended Little HOME for the past two years and absolutely loved it. The festival is packed with free family activities, performances, workshops and screenings, and we've already booked several events for this year's programme.
After hearing more about what's planned, we're really looking forward to returning again this summer.
Ending the Day with Malory Towers
Although the Family Creator Day ended after lunch, our day at HOME wasn't quite over.
Later that evening, I returned with Alice to watch Malory Towers.
After spending the morning drawing, crafting and exploring Creativity Corner, it felt fitting to finish the day sitting together in the theatre.
It was also a lovely reminder of why we enjoy visiting HOME so much. Whether we're attending a theatre performance, taking part in a family activity or visiting during Little HOME, the venue always feels welcoming and family-friendly.
Final Thoughts
We had a lovely time at HOME's Family Creator Day and it was great to experience another side of the venue that we already know so well.
The children enjoyed getting creative, we discovered that the pizza at HOME Bar & Kitchen is well worth trying, and we left with plenty of ideas for future visits.
Before leaving, the children were also given a small goody bag containing a few treats and information about upcoming family events and theatre productions, which was a lovely finishing touch to the day.
Whether you're visiting for a theatre show, family film screening, workshop, exhibition, festival or simply spending time in Creativity Corner before a performance, HOME offers a wide range of experiences for families and continues to be one of our favourite family-friendly venues in Manchester.
With Little HOME just around the corner and more family theatre trips already booked, I don't think it will be long before we're back at HOME Manchester once again.
Watch the Little HOME 2026 Trailer
We've attended Little HOME for the past two years and are already looking forward to returning this summer. Little HOME 2026 takes place on 1 and 2 August and features a packed programme of free family activities, performances, workshops and screenings.
Take a look at the trailer below to see what families can look forward to this year.
More Information
For more information about Little HOME 2026 and to book any ticketed events, visit the HOME Manchester website.
At a Glance: Family Activities at HOME Manchester
📍 Location: HOME Manchester, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, M15 4FN
🚋 Getting There: Easy to reach by bus, tram and train, with Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink stop and Deansgate railway station just a short walk away.
🎭 Family Theatre: Regular programme of family-friendly theatre productions throughout the year.
🎬 Family Cinema: Family screenings and relaxed screenings available throughout the year.
🎨 Creativity Corner: Free family space featuring books, crafts, dressing-up costumes, puppets and imaginative play.
🖼️ Free Exhibitions: HOME regularly hosts free gallery exhibitions.
🎪 Little HOME Festival: Free annual family festival featuring performances, workshops, screenings and creative activities.
🍕 HOME Bar & Kitchen: Family-friendly food and drink available on-site.
👨👩👧👦 Suitable For: Families looking for theatre, cinema, creative activities and cultural experiences in Manchester.
⭐ Our Highlights: Creativity Corner, the relaxed family atmosphere and discovering HOME Bar & Kitchen for the first time.
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