It’s all about babies this week (16 – 21 June) in Manchester as parents, carers and tiny tots are invited to join in with a whole host of baby and toddler friendly activities, designed to educate and entertain parents, carers, and little ones alike.
Activities are happening every day this week in a packed programme of free, fun-filled stuff for parents, carers and their babies to enjoy right across the city – all aimed at supporting a child’s development from birth and before, to two years old.
The week kicked off on Monday with a day of activities at Central Library and Manchester Art Gallery that saw mums, dads and babies take part in everything from Baby DJing sessions, Dance Like a Mother (or dad) workouts, to have-a-go sessions playing musical instruments and singing with the Hallé Musical Stars.
The day also included plenty of opportunities for toddlers and their carers to get messy together with creative play sessions, as well baby massage and yoga classes – showing carers how to enjoy moments of calm and connection with their babies in what can sometimes seem like a busy and noisy world.
The rest of the week sees many of the same activities and more taking place across the city, in cultural venues, leisure centres, libraries, local Family Hubs, children’s centres, and also in the city’s parks – which will host free family fun days for all on Saturday 21 June.
With family splash and swim sessions, pool parties, sensory play, mini-me fitness and fun sessions for toddlers and their grown-ups, plus groovy dance classes, as well as walk and talk rambles round local areas and healthy child drop-ins with Health Visitors, there are plenty of free activities of all kinds for families to get involved in.
There’s also plenty of practical advice on offer through the week for parents and carers – from preventing common accidents in the home and first aid taster sessions, to Tiny Talk Baby Signing sessions to help teach even the youngest babies to begin to communicate long before they’re able to speak, helping parents and their babies to understand each other from the earliest of days together.
Manchester’s annual Baby Week takes place at an important time for Manchester as the city journeys towards being recognised by UNICEF as a Child Friendly City – the best possible place for a child to grow up in, a place where children’s rights are understood and the voices of children and young people matter.
Councillor Julie Reid, Executive Member for Early Years, Children and Young People, Manchester City Council, said: “As any parent or carer will tell you, parenting or caring for a baby or toddler can be both the most joyous and the most challenging of experiences – and sometimes even both these things in the space of a minute!
“Having people around you to share these experiences with and help you navigate the hard things whilst enjoying all the great stuff is really important. And that’s where Manchester Baby Week comes in.
“We want to make sure that Manchester is the very best place it can be for all our babies and children to grow up in. The week provides a brilliant platform for parents, carers and babies to meet each other, learn from each other, and really enjoy themselves as they explore what’s available for tiny tots and their grown-ups in the city.”
Find out more information on all the activities happening across the city during Manchester Baby Week
