Free quiet and calm play sessions at the Whitworth Art Gallery, specially designed for families with additional needs — a relaxed, child-led space to explore and create at your own pace. 

Quiet Mornings | Free SEN Activities at The Whitworth

• Upcoming Dates:

  • Sunday 31st May 2026, 10.30am–12.30pm

  • Sunday 28th June 2026, 10.30am–12.30pm

• Location: The Whitworth, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6ER

• Suitable for: Families with additional needs

• Booking: No booking required — free drop-in

• Cost: Free to attend

• Website: https://www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/getinvolved/families/quietmornings

Quiet Mornings are free, drop-in play sessions run by the Whitworth Art Gallery, held in the gallery space and designed specifically for families with additional needs. The sessions offer a quieter, calmer alternative to busier family events, giving children the freedom to move around and explore in their own time and at their own pace.

Each session features open-ended play objects created by The Sensory Toolkit, alongside a creative making activity — providing a gentle mix of sensory exploration and hands-on creativity in a low-pressure, child-led environment.

Photo credit: https://www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/getinvolved/families/quietmornings/