The weekend's upon us and after a hectic week of getting you might be looking for somewhere fun to take the kids.
We're promised a dry weekend, but come rain or shine there are events to keep the family happy both indoors and outside.
And as your bank balance is no doubt still feeling the effects of the long summer break, we've been looking for some free and cheap ones too.
Here's what's on in and around Greater Manchester this Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8 ...
Mr Bloom and more at Stockport Food and Drink Festival
There's lots of free family fun on offer at Stockport Food and Drink Festival this weekend.
Craft workshops and strawberry trails are running on both days - for families to find the hidden strawberries - and Sunday is family day when Mr Bloom and his band are in town to entertain little ones.
The CBeebies star will be on stage in Merseyway from 10.30am.
The Greatest Showman tribute A Million Dreams will also be there, singing favourites from the film, and there's a full line-up of entertainment from dance and community groups throughout the day.
The festival has been organised in partnership with Totally Stockport, Market Place Europe, Stockport Council and Merseyway Shopping Centre and is the first of what is hoped will become an annual event.
Over 30 artisan and local producers will be the foodie stars of the show, with entertainment taking place around the historic Market Place. And on Saturday celebrity chef Simon Rimmer will be exciting the crowds on stage at the cookery theatre.
Visit the website for more details and specific times.
Stephenson's Rocket at Science and Industry Museum
If you've been meaning to head along to see Stephenson's Rocket in Manchester then this weekend is your final chance.
One of the world’s first train engines, the iconic locomotive has been on display at the Science and Industry Museum for 11 months but is heading off for pastures new at the National Railway Museum in York.
It takes a lot of work to pack up and move such a big and precious object like Rocket, so there will be a few changes to how you enter the museum this weekend, but all details are on the website here , where you'll also find more information on events at the venue.
Science and Industry Museum, Liverpool Rd, Manchester, M3 4FP.
Simply Cycling
Cyclists of all ages and abilities are welcome to try out the wide range of bikes available at these Simply Cycling sessions which are on this weekend.
Sessions are held across three sites - Wythenshawe Park Athletics Track, Longford Park Athletic Stadium and Boggart Hole Clough Athletics Track.
Whether it's a traditional two-wheeler, a trike, a bike to carry your baby on, or a recliner, there will be something to suit your needs.
It costs £2.50 per person to ride for two hours, with sessions also open to children and adults with disabilities.
Simply Cycling is a not-for-profit organisation incorporating Wythenshawe Wheelers and Trafford Wheelers.
Weekend sessions are on the following days and times:
Wythenshawe Park Athletics Track, Wythenshawe Road, M23 OPH
Saturdays - 1pm to 2.25pm and 2.30pm to 4pm.
Longford Park Athletic Stadium, Ryebank Road, Stretford, M21 9TA
Sundays - 1pm to 3pm
Boggart Hole Clough Athletics Track . Parking: Approach from Charlestown Road, Manchester, M9 7DH.
Saturdays - 9.30am to 11.30am.
For more details visit www.simply-cycling.org .
Giant Leap Frog Art Trail, Stockport
If you are thinking of heading to the Stockport Food and Drink Festival then you could also hop along to see the town's Giant Leap Frog Art Trail.
A total of 19 brightly-painted frog sculptures are on display around the town.
The colourful frogs, each with an individual design, are on their own lily pads and placed at various locations including St Peter's Square and Market Place.
Characters include 'dapper digital dude' KermIT, Mrs Mersey - the Hoppy Shopper, This Little Froggy Went to Market and more.
Thousands of maps are available, including those included in the Totally Stockport magazine, and if you can't get your hands on one they can be downloaded here .
After the trail closes, the frogs will be auctioned with surplus funds awarded to charity to create a Giant Leap legacy fund.
It's running until September 28 and has its own website here .
Scroll through the gallery to see more of the frogs from the trail
Predators at Chester Zoo
OK, we know it's not Manchester but if you don't mind a bit of a drive then it's also your last chance to see the Predators at Chester Zoo this weekend.
With realistic movements and sounds, 13 enormous animatronic predators including the infamous T-Rex – the most feared land predator of all time – a shark which had a bite that was three metres wide and a giant snake that ate crocodiles for breakfast, are featured in the exhibition.
It's a walk-through experience and you can take your time seeing each of the animals and having photos taken with them.
At certain times of the day over weekends and during the school holidays there'll be rangers on hand talking about fossils and discussing the extinct animals.
Guaranteed times to see them are from 10.30am to 11.30am and 3.30pm to 4.30pm, but you might catch them at other times.
Predators is included in the normal zoo admission fee and is running until September 8. Visit the website for tickets.
Chester Zoo, Chester, CH2 1EU.
