When the Queensway Tunnel was dug beneath the river, the subsequent rubbish pulled from the ground…read morewas dumped and landscaped into what is now Otterspool Prom. Here you can do everything there is to possibly do on a riverside promenade; things such as walk, ride a bike, look at the water and...um...well that's about it. I suppose you could rollerblade if you wanted. If it's a warm day and you don't mind the style your hair will be sculpted into by the blustering gales, you can follow the prom and its interconnecting paths right up to the Pier Head. If you don't fancy that, try and unearth the ruins of the 1984 Garden Festival, which lies hidden by tree trunks and weeds. You don't know how overtly creepy something is until you accidentally stumble across a kid's overgrown swing park. I still have nightmares.

What a spectacular view. Did you ever see such a coastline? Especially when the waves are choppy…read moreand the wind blustery. I absolutely love the promenade; walking along beside the river with the breathtaking view of the Welsh hills in the background is really relaxing, there's lots of cyclists and dog-walkers around and it's a lovely environment on a clear sunny day. The park which was renovated through the 'Pride in our Proms' project is Amazing. It's a mini world of Big Kid heaven... for me anyway I regressed about 10 years and was on the swings, seesaw and monkey bars, and when we'd totally worn ourselves out running around and taking cool scenic pictures of the sunset we went for a well earned pint from the Otterspool pub which is handily a hop skip and a cartwheel across the park. Go fly a kite, see the sights, play on the park and grab a pint!

I've never really been *to* this park, but I have walked through it on numerous occasions, as it…read moremakes for a more scenic walk from Didsbury to Tesco/the cinema/Nando's than the main road does. For a Manchester park it seems to have very few scallies hanging about in it, making it a very pleasant place for a quick stroll or even a picnic (maybe). There is a football pitch, which apparently has an air raid shelter underneath it, a kids play area and a bowling green. Alongside Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens, Old Parsonage Gardens, Marie Louise Gardens and Fog Lane Park, Didsbury Park contributes to the leafy green spaces which make a welcome break from the café culture and bus fumes of Wilmslow Road.

Really nice area for the kids and there is WiFi so you can let kids play while you tend t that book…read morethat you always wanted to read but kids may not allow. Don't forget to take some tome out to play with them while here. Time with kids are a treasure and it will only be a matter of time before they don't want to spend time with you. Let's not forget we all were teenagers at some point in time.

Kingswood Park is a bit of a hidden gem really. Not because its anything particularly special, but…read morebecause on Kingswood Road, situated on the way to Burnage from Fallowfield, you would expect to find nothing but woe, but if you keep your eyes peeled, you'll notice a nice little park, which is worth a visit, depending on your intentions. Its surprisingly large, and mainly (as one might expect) green in colour. Its nothing special unless you want to play ball games. If you do want to play ball games, you'll find a football pitch and a basketball court here, alongside some other park space which a bit of creativity can turn into the perfect space for any game involving spherical objects. As its on Kingswood Road, its always really empty. This makes it ideal if you want the pitch for you and your mates. Also, its really not in the middle of nowhere, as its only 5 minutes walk from the Fallowfield Sainsbury's. It's a far better bet than Platt Fields or Ladybarn park if you're looking to arrange some football.

I'm doing it again; I must get to the water. I am a Gremlin. I need to multiply and water is my…read moresavour. In that case I could do a lot worse than Hemsworth Water Park and Play World. Now this badger has two lakes; the largest lake is available for pedalo rides and has sandy beaches; the smallest lake is in a more secluded area to attract wildlife. It's perfect if you want to do a Freddie Flintoff and fool around for a while. It's also ideal to see some great things of interest in this beautiful world we have around us. I'm going all John Lennon on you now. You've also got loads of grassed areas and picnics are no problem either (except the fact it's always freezing and wet in England). Then throw in the Play World bit. This is where I need to fall back and remind myself that I'm not a child any more. For "real" kids though it's got with a tower slide, climbing frames, a toddler's sandpit area and a miniature railway. Toot toot. Once again I've found you a corking day out with a difference but do check what is open if you go before the Easter holidays. You have been warned.

I find myself in something of a quandary. I value the provision of these islands of nature greatly…read moreand will always defend them from the encroaching urban sprawl but I find that I cannot get very excited about Hemsworth Water Park, Nice enough lakes and the ducks were very duck-like, the grass was probably just as green as any other park and the children's play area as clean and well maintained as the best of them but the other play area which is rather grandly called Playworld was locked up thereby saving us a few quid for an experience we could get for free in any half decent public park. I left with the feeling that I had wasted fuel driving to Hemsworth as there are better parks much nearer to where I live.

Me, my partner & my nearly 3 year old daughter went here for a birthday party & this was our 1st…read moretime here as well. I've always said you can tell how good a Play Centre will be when the parents get excited about going on it, and boy did we. This is one of the biggest play Centres i been to and it can be quite easy to get lost in it. It ranges from rope walls, rope bridges, sponges bridges, to slides (3 in total with one being a near vertical drop which even made me a little apprehensive to go on). Go Karts (£1 a go). The location and the stuff on the menu does kinda show you who the clientele is lets just say not many play centres i go to have Iced Mocha Choca on the drinks menu. Also we got there pretty early but when we left mid afternoon the car park looked like a Range Rover forecourt. But don't let this despair you as the price was still very reasonable and the menu was very reasonable. There was also a big area for toddlers but we didn't venture on to that. Will defo go back

The Jungle Parc is an absolutely amazing place for kids, and not too bad for adults too. I never…read moreeven knew this place existed until I was searching the net and then came across this place. I would strongly recommend this for age 7 - 10 though smaller ones are able to come along too, height restrictions do apply to certain parts of the adventure courses, so to avoid disappointed I would recommend you go onto their website and check first. This place is all about fun and fitness for the whole family. They have a massive high wire forest adventure course; which is set within the countryside and developed to encourage you to get moving, and trust me by the end you the adventure a good cuppa and sleep is what you'll need, though if it is for the family then keeping the kids active by getting them tired then Jungle Parc is the place to bring them. It is a very safe environment and with all the proper equipment it is very enjoyable. The X-plorer course is for anyone over 1.35m in height and the Adventurer course is for children from 4 years old and with minimum height of 1.05m. The Jungle Parc is situated in Croxteth Country Park which is only 10 minutes from the city centre.

The Jungle Parc which (like Gemma) I also never knew existed until I came across a flyer, is based…read moreat Croxteth Country Park. The site is generally an incredible place for outdoor activities for those looking to burn off more than a bit of energy (adults and children alike). The premises consists of two different courses: X-Plorer course and Adventurer course (for the little ones). Each course is ideally designed with a practical element, almost like an assault course but with the fun involved. There are 40 amazing activities to enjoy as you glide through trees on rope bridges, zip lines and cargo! It definitely sounds exciting as it really is. Adults are just £20 and Juniors £15. Prices include full training and all equipment to make sure you are fully prepared and safe. Not bad at all for an adventourous day in jungle like surroundings.

Actually quite a nice big park. Mature trees, and lots of…read moredifferent segments to wonder around when the weather allows. There's also a duck pond with a variety of birdlife, and their offspring. I was super surprised to find parrots in the trees around the pond! Probably at least 5 or 6 of them too. One day some enterprising music promoter will hold a small music festival in the old band stand. Or so I hope.

A pleasant park for a sunny day. I came to Fog Lane Park when some mates invited me to play…read morecricket (for the first time in my life). It was one of those rare sunny weekends in Manchester where everyone was out and the city was crowded. Having spent Saturday morning in city centre, I figured it'd be even more packed at the parks, seeing as how when the sun's out most spaces of green are covered with blankets and barbecues. Shockingly, Fog Lane remained fairly empty - seems most people stick closer to the centre of town or at Platt Fields. A fairly large park, this place has a bit for everyone looking to do something outdoorsy. There are a handful of tennis courts and a basketball court (broken backboards, but meh), a little skateboarding area, playground equipment for the kiddos, a bocce ball field, a huge open field for assorted sport, and several winding pathways leading through scenic regions of various flora if you're just looking for a stroll. That being said, that's only what I've seen, and I doubt I even saw half of this place. It's huge! Getting there from city centre is fairly easy - just take the magic bus down and walk a few streets over to get to the park. The surrounding neighbourhoods look nice, too - feels like a very family friendly sort of place.

This 'wacky' warehouse (the name says it all!) is in a decent enough location, the architecturally…read morepoor but leisure facilities abundant Parrs Wood entertainment complex, but it's not a place I ever look forward to visiting. Fortunately I've got an official looking doctors note to state I must never enter the premises, so it's rare I have to make the pilgrimage. Wacky is a word which needs tying up in an Asda bin bag and dropped along into a stretch of the Irwell. Perhaps they should start with changing the names (and ridiculous graphics) and have a complete overhaul of the business. It is the pre-eminent kids plays centre in the uk, but I'm assuming that's down to the lack of competition. I always get hit in the face bits with an aroma of junior wee and shake n vac when I have the misfortune to find myself destined to shave years off my life sitting inside these 'fun palaces'. The kids obviously love them (which I suppose is entirely the point), although it's not unusual to spot bouts of ball wars (in the ball park) and the kids try and pelt the colourful, spherical missiles towards each others necks and eyes resulting in salt water seeping from said eyes.it's just that they could make the effort to entertain the adults a little bit more - decent scran and good coffee and a set of newspaper would be a start. Head over heels does it better.

Awful! Only suffer this place with the kids if they get invited to a party here. The food's over…read morecooked and like tasteless rubber, the staff a miserable and rude and the play and activity equipment means a good clean and repair. The ball pool in particular is filthy and the mats are all torn and grubby.

Got kids ? Got active kids ?…read moreGot Hyperactive (vimto & e number fuel'd) kids ? Snakes and slides can help you. Its has a big activity area which helps the kids not get bored to easily. A big area for seating and watching your kids and a nice clean cafe with decent menu.

This is rather a rather expensive activity as your time there is limited by the company and there…read moreare numerous rides and vending equipment inside the place. The meals are ok but are a little on the expensive side for what you get. If you've got a few kids then your looking at £30 for an hours entertainment and dinner. Your eating time is included in the time you're limited to so you can't have a nice relaxed meal as the kids want to be off and play and you're concious of the time you're taking away from their play. The facilities themselves are good and the kids always have a good time. Probably not worth it for crawling kids. I have very active toddler and he still has problems with accessing some of the equipment for under 5s.