Things to do with a baby in Chorlton, Whalley Range and Old Trafford
A local guide from The Nest Collective
Getting out of the house with a baby can feel like a logistical challenge, but this part of south west Manchester is really one of the best areas in the city for it. Whether you want music, movement, something cultural, or just another friend to talk to for an hour, there is more on your doorstep than you might think.
Always check directly with the organiser before heading out, as times and sessions do change. Links are included throughout.
Little Seedlings
Monday
Owen's Little Music Makers runs two sessions on Monday mornings at 9:30–10:30 and 10:45–11:45 at The Edge on Manchester Road, Chorlton (M21 9JG). Led by professional violinist Owen Little, it is proper live music and babies go mad for it. Lovely for all ages, even small babies. £6 first child, £4 siblings. owenlittlemusic.com
Pramactive at Longford Park runs on Monday mornings at 11am. No special pram needed and you work at your own level whilst getting the opportunity to chat, meet other mums and enjoy some fresh air fitness! Meet in the main car park near the athletics stadium. £7. Also runs on Tuesdays at 10am (see below). Register at forbabymanchestermecla.co.uk
Music Makers at the Bridgewater Hall is a monthly session on Mondays for babies and young children. One of the most popular sessions in Manchester. It books up extremely quickly, so sign up to the mailing list and book as soon as dates are released. bridgewater-hall.co.uk
St John's Playgroup at St John's Centre, Ayres Road, Old Trafford, 10am–11:30am, £2. A classic community playgroup. Works better once babies are pulling up and moving around, but a good local option for getting out early in the week.
St Clement's Oranges and Lemons a lovely drop-in baby and toddler group at St Clement's Church, Edge Lane, Chorlton, 10am-11.30am. Oranges and Lemons
Tuesday
Pramactive also runs at Longford Park on Tuesday mornings at 10am. Same set-up as Monday: outdoor, social, £7. forbabymanchestermecla.co.uk
Walking Mums Club meets at Alexandra Park at 11:30am. Free, outdoor, no booking needed. One of the most straightforward things you can do in south Manchester from very early on and our inspiration behind Bumps in the Park. Whatever the weather, you have cake and coffee at the end of the walk to look forward to! walkingmumsclub.co.uk
Little Werbs at St Werburgh's Church, Chorlton, 10am–11:30am, £2. A gentle community drop-in. One of the most welcoming sessions in the area. stwchorlton.org
Mum and Baby Yoga at the Yoga Rooms, Chorlton, 10.45am–11.45am. These classes offer a relaxed, friendly, supportive environment where you can meet other new mums and bond with your baby. Booked in blocks of 8 for £88. yogainchorlton.co.uk
Wednesday
Owen's Little Music Makers runs again on Wednesday mornings at The Edge, Manchester Road, Chorlton, 9:30–10:30 and 10:45–11:45. Same format as Monday. £6 first child, £4 siblings. owenlittlemusic.com
Dance Like a Mother at Chorlton Central Church, 10:30am. A dance fitness class with your baby in tow. Expect to sweat and laugh in equal measure. £9. dancelikeamother.com
Mama & Me Dance Class in Chorlton, 11:30am. More sling dancing! Babywearing dance or Adult only dance classes with an element of mindfulness for parents/caregivers and their little ones aged 8 weeks plus. £8 per class or £42 for six. Mama and Me
Sure Start Children's Centres across the area run baby massage and baby sensory sessions on various days throughout the week. Check the current timetable on Manchester City Council's website as sessions and times are updated regularly. Worth looking up your nearest centre.
Thursday
Owen's Little Music Makers moves to St Clement's Church on Edge Lane, Chorlton (M21 9AE) on Thursday mornings, 9:30–10:30 and 10:45–11:45. Same great sessions, different venue. £6 first child, £4 siblings. owenlittlemusic.com
Babies Playtime at The Lowry is free and one of the best sessions in Greater Manchester. Two slots every Thursday: 10am for under 1s, 11am for 1–2 year olds. Due to high demand, families who attend get priority booking for the following week's session, remaining spaces are released at 1pm. Book ahead at thelowry.com
Little Seedlings at St Margaret's Centre and Playing Fields, Thursdays at 10am, £3. A lovely small community session. Little Seedlings
Toddler Gardening Club at Hulme Garden Centre - Thursdays at 10am. More suited to babies who are on their feet, but worth a wander at any age. hulmegardencentre.org.uk
The Bethel Centre (Christadelphian Church) on Henrietta Street. Free playgroup, Thursdays 10am–12pm. Well recommended by parents in the area.
Walking Mums Club also has a Levenshulme session on Thursdays at 11am. Free.
Friday
Tiny Tots & Toddler Time at Chorlton Library Fridays 11am–12pm, free. No booking needed. Rhymes, books, and a lovely atmosphere!
Art Baby at the Whitworth Gallery first Friday of each month, 10:30am–2:30pm. Free sensory activities in beautiful surroundings. One of the best in Manchester. whitworth.manchester.ac.uk
Gallery Babies at Salford Art Gallery last Friday of each month, 10:30am–12pm. Free.
MOSI Experitots also runs on Fridays at the Museum of Science and Industry. Free with museum entry. msimanchester.org.uk
Rhythm & Rhyme at St Clement's Church on Fridays 1–2pm, £9.50. A multi sensory musical adventure, booked in blocks. Rhythm and Rhyme
Rhythm and Rhyme
Bizzy B's at St Bride's Church Fridays 9:30–11:30am. Pay-as-you-feel. Bizzy B's
Happy Cats at St Edmund's Friday morning, 10am-12pm. Pay-as-you-feel. Happy Cats
Arts, galleries and museums
If you want to make a regular habit of getting into the city:
Whitworth Gallery Art Baby, first Friday of each month, 10:30am–2:30pm. Free. whitworth.manchester.ac.uk
Manchester Art Gallery dedicated sessions for babies and young children throughout the year. Check the website for what's on. manchesterartgallery.org
MOSI Experitots Mondays and Fridays at the Museum of Science and Industry, free with museum entry. msimanchester.org.uk
The Lowry, Babies Playtime Thursdays, free, must book in advance. thelowry.com
National Football Museum runs Art and Active Play sessions for children up to five throughout the year on an ad hoc basis. Keep an eye on their Eventbrite page for upcoming dates. eventbrite
Z-arts various free events for babies and young children throughout the week. z-arts.org
Salford Art Gallery, Gallery Babies last Friday of each month, 10:30am–12pm. Free.
Baby cinema
All of these run regular baby-friendly screenings and absolutely no expectation of silence:
Everyman Cinema, St John's weekly Baby Club screenings, city centre. 21–23 Quay Street, Manchester, M3 4AS. everymancinema.com
Everyman Cinema, Altrincham also runs Baby Club. Good option if you're in the south of the area. everymancinema.com
Northern Light Cinema, Sale independent, family-run, baby-friendly screenings. tnlcinemasale.co.uk/accessible-shows
Northern Light Cinema, Stretford - brand new in 2026, right on your doorstep on Pinnington Lane, M32 0AA. Intimate, independent, and already running mother and baby screenings. northernlightcinema.co.uk
Something for you
Mum's the Word at Edge Theatre, Chorlton: monthly stand-up comedy night. Baby-friendly and great laughs. edgetheatre.co.uk/mums-the-word-comedy-2
MumWOD not local, but worth mentioning because it has really kept some of us going. MumWOD runs CrossFit-style mum and baby classes on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 10:45am. It's high energy and community-focused. Follow @mumwod on Instagram for details and booking.
MumWOD
Courses booked in blocks
For something that runs over several weeks:
Bloom Baby Classes a lovely sensory class for babies at various times on Thursdays and Fridays at Chorlton Unitarian Church. £42.50 for 6 weeks. bloombabyclasses.com
Mum & Baby Yoga with Sarah 8 weeks at The Yoga Rooms in Chorlton, £88. yogainchorlton.co.uk
The Bird Box a community-led family centre in Whalley Range using a Montessori-inspired approach. Sessions run from birth to preschool age across three programmes: Nest (pre-crawling babies, women only), Hatchlings (crawlers to 2 years) and Fledglings (2–3.5 years). Check the website for current times and booking. thebirdboxmcr.co.uk
Rhythm and Rhyme Friday course at St Clement's Church. Check for current enrolment. rhythmandrhyme.co.uk