North West Fun in April - My What's On Guide

16:07 Pippa Ainsworth 0 Comments

I have a few new events to tell you about which are happening in the North-West over the next month or so. We get told about lots of exciting things so I think this will be a regular feature! There's a competition and a link to some printables here too, so read on even if you're not in the North-West in April!


Breakfast with Bunny (9am – 11am, Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th April) at Hard Rock Cafe, Manchester - Guests will be treated to a full English breakfast (cereal and fruit are also available) and there are fun Easter games and special treats for each child. There is a face painter and a magician who will also be balloon modeling. Places are limited so call now to book your place. Children £7.50 and adults £9.00. For more information, please call the restaurant directly on 0161 831 6700 or visit www.hardrock.com/manchester We're hoping to attend one of the breakfasts.


See how machinery – big and small – has whizzed and propelled Manchester into life at the Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester this Easter. Get your hands dirty and yours ears buzzing at MOSI with its celebration of all things mighty, muscly and mechanical. Power: From Muscle to Machine – running from April 5-27 - tells the story of power and how it has been created, harnessed and used over time. For full details of the programme go to www.mosi.org.uk


Beko are the official Home Appliance Partners for the FA Cup this season and they have an exciting event arranged at PC World/Currys in Wigan on Tuesday 8th April, 2pm -6pm.  The event is part of the ‘Beko Keepy-Uppy Challenge’ and with the help of FA Cup Legend Paul Jewell,  Beko will be encouraging fans to take part in the challenge. Children will be able to have their photo taken with Paul and The FA Cup. There will also be the chance of winning exclusive prizes - either a pair of semi-final tickets (Wigan v Arsenal) or four FA Cup Final tickets. 

 The Beko Keepy-Uppy Challenge is open for everyone to enter, whether as an individual, club, or school. To enter, fans simply upload a short video which showcases their skills and keepy-uppys to www.beko.co.uk/keepyuppy. Prizes include sought-after FA Cup Final tickets, exclusive team training at The FA’s National Football Centre, St George’s Park, and top-of-the-range Beko appliances. In addition, Beko will make a donation to its charity partner Barnardo’s for every video entry received. The closing date for entries is 21st selected by an FA Legend and the current Guinness World Record holder for Keepy-Uppy’s, Dan Magness.

A cracking Easter is in store at Blackpool Pleasure Beach with the park fully open until 8pm over the Easter Weekend (6pm on Good Friday). If you book 10 days or more in advance you can save even more on full park unlimited ride wristbands with juniors from just £17.99 and adults from £19.99. 

As it’s Easter there’s even more fun to be had with all your favourite characters across the park. At the UK’s only Nickelodeon Land the characters have been busy hiding some eggs for this year’s Treasure Hunt – and it’s up to you guys to find them. Could they be on SpongeBob’s SplashBash or lurking in Dora’s World Voyage or in the Bikini Bottom Bus – who knows?

There’s prizes galore for all our entrants, just pick up a free Treasure Hunt trail guide from a member of Team Nick to take part and find the 14 eggs around the six-acre attraction. The Treasure Hunt runs throughout the Easter holidays until April 21st.


Scooby Doo! The Mystery of the Pyramid is coming to The Lowry in Salford on Thursday April 10th, until Sunday April 13th. The cartoon classic comes to life as Scooby, Shaggy and the gang find themselves in Egypt trying to solve the mystery of Pharaoh Hatchepsout’s Pyramid. For tickets and more information please see The Lowry. This sounds like real fun, I just wish we could attend!


One of our favourite annual events, and one that I wrote about last year is the Good Friday Manchester Duck Race. This free, family fun day takes place on The Irwell in Spinningfields on Good Friday, 18th April, and is a terrific afternoon out for the whole family. From the dressed up corporate duck race, to the mass race where you can buy ducks to compete yourself, it's a fantastic way to raise money for a good cause - the charity is Brainwave, a national charity for children with brain injuries - and enjoy lots of family entertainment. We had a fantastic day out last year and we will be back. You can 'buy' ducks for the mass race here.


And now, something every one loves - ice cream, and even better, free ice cream! On Tuesday 8th April, the Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops within the ODEON Manchester Printworks will take part in the annual ‘Free Cone Day’. Ben and Jerry started this annual tradition back in 1978 in their first ever scoop shop in Vermont, USA. It’s now grown into a global event, where over a million scoops are given away worldwide every year! Visit the ODEON Manchester Printworks between 12 noon and 8pm on Tuesday 8th April to claim your free cone. 

The day is all about giving something back and saying ‘thanks’ to all our Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream fans. We are also helping others in need and kindly accept donations on the day. All donations will go towards the Variety Club and NSPCC charities. Follow Free Cone Day via Twitter using #freeconeday

This is a nationwide event so check your local Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop if you aren't near the Printworks.

 If you're at the ODEON Printworks, or any cinema this April, why not check out The Amazing Spider-Man 2 which opens in cinemas on April 18th, The people at Sony have produced a downloadable Activity Pack for your young Spider-man fans and it's the perfect thing to get them in the mood! You can download it here.

 What fun will you and your family be getting up to this April?