Child-friendly pubs with space for the kids to play are not always easy to find. Here’s our round-up of the best places recommended by parents
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At this time of year nothing beats heading indoors for some tasty pub grub – but it's not always easy to find a place to keep the kids happy too.
Pubs and restaurants with indoor play areas can be a godsend when it comes to giving parents the rare chance to relax while the kids play.
We asked parents to recommend the best family friendly places to eat with children. Here's our round-up of your suggestions in and around Manchester.
Owned by Farmhouse Inns, this place opened in September 2015 and has an indoor play area.
It's sited next to the AJ Bell Stadium, where Sale Sharks and Salford Red Devils play, and is a five-minute drive from The Trafford Centre.
As well as menus for 'little ones' and 'not so little ones' the place offers Heinz baby meals too – apple, pear and banana for four months plus and pasta shapes for seven months plus, £1.95 each.
The cakes (yes there's Cakeaway) are homemade on site and there's a dairy ice cream parlour with 12 flavours to choose from.
And if the Kids' Zone isn't enough to keep the kids busy, you can always ask for some colouring sheets.
Stadium Way, Eccles, M30 7EY
This hidden gem close to the Trafford Centre is the perfect place to fuel up with the kids, especially if you've got a fun-packed day planned at the nearby SeaLife or Legoland.
It's set back next to the Premier Inn building as you head towards The Orient and is not only a restaurant but has a play area too.
The tables are next to the play frame so you can see your little ones from the table and there are toy cars for them to push themselves around in.
The play area costs £3 per child and is open 9am and 8pm Monday to Thursday and until 9pm Friday to Sunday.
It serves breakfast each morning and the Beano kids' menu at other times costs £3.99 for a main meal and 75 pence for starters and puddings.
And the kids get colouring sheets too.
Trafford Centre, Wilderspool Wood, Manchester, M17 8WW
Owned by the same company as the Coach House, the Brewers Fayre Stable Gate pub in Denton offers a similar play area inside.
The 'play at' area was launched in March and includes a new toddler zone for little ones and an adventure tree house play area for older children.
Alongside the Beano kids' menu is a substantial adult menu with classic mains ranging from smothered chicken and chilli (£8.99 each) to beef stew with dumplings (£10.49).
Alphagate Drive, Denton, M34 3SH
There is a Wacky Warehouse attached to the main pub where the kids can play.
The Fayre and Square pub has a kids' menu with the smaller meals – including fish fingers, chips and peas and sausage and mash – from £2.99.
Parrs Wood Entertainment Centre, Wilmslow Road, East Didsbury, M20 5PG
The Greenfinch reopened following a refurbishment last October which included a modernisation of the indoor play area.
The kids can get a 'super value deal' with a starter, main meal, dessert and a drink for £5.99.
There's also a selection of smaller pizzas from the Pizza Kitchen Menu and for adults there's a chicken shack, burgers, bagels and much more.
108 Palatine Rd, Manchester, M20 3ZA
Carvery is served fresh daily at Mottram Wood Pub, which is also home to a Wacky warehouse to keep the little ones happy.
Alongside the carvery, there's a full menu of pub classics available all day, every day.
The kids menu features small meals for three to eight year olds for £3.49, such as cheese and tomato pizza and tomato pasta, and larger meals for over eights from £3.99 such as build your own pasta and cheese and tomato tortilla flat bread.
Stockport Road, Mottram, Hyde, SK14 3AU
This is another Brewers Fayre venue and is just next to Oldham Athletic's football ground.
Again the play zone is there to keep the kids happy along with the Beano kids' menu.
The mains include a 'build your own wrap' option where kids can fill their tortillas with either grilled chicken breast, Quorn sausage or flaked salmon fillet.
Westwood Retail Park, Chadderton, OL1 2PA
This is another venue run by Farmhouse Inns and again offers a Kids Zone inside.
There's a giant tree to play in, screens to 'colour' pictures and other games and ride-ons to occupy the little ones.
Kids' mains – such as sausage and mash or pasta – start from £2.95, including a dessert, or the junior carvery option is £4.75 week days or £5.25 at weekends. You can fill a baby bowl with a choice of veg for £2.25.
The giant cakes are one of the biggest pulling points and one slice can often feed a family. And if you can't stomach it while you're there, the place offers Cakeaway too.
Astley Park Way, Chaddock Lane, Astley, M28 1DP
Another Brewers Fayre special this place has its own playzone which features slides, ropes, tunnels and soft play for teeny ones.
The Beano kids' menu costs £3.99 for a main meal and 75 pence for starters and puddings.
It's flexible enough to change your sides for those fussy eaters in the family. If they want baked beans with their pasta, they can have it.
The desserts keep them busy too – although you'll probably find they spend more decorating their Plug's Funny Face Sundae than actually eating it.
Carrington Lane, Ashton On Mersey, Sale, M33 5BL
The Whistling Wren is on Leigh Sports Village, home of the Leigh Centurions.
There's an outdoor play area with a climbing frame for when the weather's warm enough and a small indoor Kids' Zone, with bead tables and screens, for under fives.
A more recent addition has been the installation of a small number of interactive screens at the table for older kids to use while waiting for their food.
They can use them to play games including design a monster and can also watch TV on them too.
There's a wide range of food on offer, including a giant specials board to choose from.
As with The Greenfinch in Chorlton, also a Marston's pub, the kids can get a 'super value deal' with a starter, main meal, dessert and a drink for £5.99.
For dessert there are sweet treats including chocolate brownie, dipping donuts and lemon drizzle cake for £1.35 each.
Leigh Sports Village, Turner Way, Leigh, WN7 4GX
Other family favourites from Farmhouse Inns – indoor play areas, carvery, Cakeaway, you know the score by now.
Waterfold Business Park, Bury, BL9 7BR
Pamir Drive, Ashton, OL7 0LY
If we've missed your family favourite off the list email emma.gill@trinitymirror.com or let us know on our Manchester Family facebook page.