There's nothing quite like a trip to the park to let the kids run off some steam.
Whether it's sun hats or wellies required, when it comes to playing on the swings, kids don't care whether it's warm or cold.
That's why we've been asking Manchester's parents to tell us their favourite ones for a trip out. And they came back with quite an impressive list.
Two parks in particular ticked the boxes for a lot of families - Haigh Woodland Park in Wigan and Queens Park in Heywood.
We're sure there are many more impressive ones to add to our list, so if you know of one don't forget to share it with us in the comments here, or email the details to emma.gill@reachplc.com.
READ MORE: 11 walks for the family where you can stop off at a café
Haigh Woodland Park, Wigan
The adventure play area includes climbing frames, a treehouse, a zip wire and a whole lot more.
The attraction provides a range of activities for children from babies to teenagers and their families to enjoy.
It was done up as part of a £12m revamp of the site around three years ago and since then it's seen a huge rise in visitor numbers.
Further activities include climbing ropes, a crazy golf course and an adventure golf course within the 250 acres of woodland surrounding Haigh Hall.
Queens Park, Heywood
It's easy to see why Queens Park was the top of the list for many parents.
Among its abundance of facilities are two play areas - a small one aimed at ages two to four year olds and a larger one for ages five to 11.
As well as slides, swings, roundabouts there is also a sandpit, spiderweb, see-saw and more.
Clifton Country Park, Salford
The play area at Clifton Country Park features a giant swing, a climbing frame with monkey bars, ropes and slide, swings and animal themed ‘springies’, which children can sit on and rock back and forward.
Picnic benches and existing swings were also refurbished during the park's makeover a couple of years back to include special disabled friendly boat seats. And surfaces were replaced to make it easier to use pushchairs and wheelchairs on the playground.
As well as the children's play area, there's a large climbing boulder for kids to tackle.
You can then enjoy a lakeside walk - venturing round the entire lake if those little legs can make it round - and you can cross a green bridge to reach a stream lined with pebbles for that all-important stone skimming.
There are some real animals to spot - horses usually greet you near the fences at the car park - and you can head to the lake to see ducks, geese and other wildlife.
Many of the paths are level making it accessible for prams and there are carved wooden characters for little ones to spot along the route, including the popular Gruffalo.
The visitor centre houses a toilet and there's a café there too. There's usually an ice cream van there as well, even in the chillier weather.
Moses Gate Country Park, Bolton
Moses Gate has an impressive gated play area with a huge metal slide, climbing ropes and balance beams.
Some of the equipment is linked together to form a play trail which kids move along, making their way from stump to stump and across ropes and beams.
There's a smaller play frame and swings for toddlers too.
Sign up to our Manchester Family newsletter
Keep up to date with the biggest and best stories, including suggestions for family days out and ways to keep the kids entertained.
It's completely free to sign up; all you have to do is fill in your details at the top of any 'Family & Kids' story, including this one. Alternatively you can sign up here.
Heaton Park, Manchester
There are plenty of play opportunities at Heaton Park, including a play area close to the animal centre and the newer Lakeside Adventure Playground, which has proved a particular hit.
Close to the Lakeside Cafe and boating lake, it features swings, slides, treehouses, a water pump and in-ground trampolines, plus materials for children to build their own wooden dens.
Heaton Park is one of the largest parks in Europe and offers loads for families to see and do.
There are 600 acres to explore, including the picturesque ornamental gardens, woodlands and boating lake, and plenty of activities for all ages, including the animal farm, tramway and golf course.
You could combine a trip to the park with a visit to Treetop Trek and Nets, which offers nets high in the trees, as well as a zip trek and mini trek.
Bullcote Park, Royton
The playground is popular with families and features swings, a roundabout pole, rope walks, slides, a springy and a fitness trail.
State-of-the-art equipment was installed when the play park - Jamie’s Play Trail - was built in memory of Kenny and Michelle Heaton's son Jamie, who tragically died in 2012 when a gas explosion ripped through his home in Shaw, Oldham.
There's also rocks and a sandpit for kids to enjoy.
Walton Park, Sale
The park has two playgrounds, one for small children and toddlers, and a more modern one for older kids from seven up.
There are a range of wooden climbing frames, swings and slides.
The play areas are divided by a multi-use games area, which features two hard tennis courts and a five-a-side football/basketball court and is free to use. There are two bowling greens, a full size grass football pitch, various new picnic benches and family areas.
It's also home to a miniature steam railway too.
Longford Park, Stretford
There are junior and senior play areas, one for children up to the age of eight and one for older ones.
The younger one has toddler swings and junior swings, a roundabout, a big timber framed climbing unit with a slide and a wooden sculpture of a caterpillar made from a series of logs for little ones to step across or sit on top of.
The play area for older kids is to the north of the park near Great Stone Road. It has slides, roundabouts, climbing frames and a climbing boulder.
Chorlton Park, Chorlton
The park is a popular one with families and features lots of equipment to keep the kids busy.
As well as a tube slide, donut ring swings and a propeller swing, there are mini trampolines, a zip wire and a skate park.
Roe Green Play Park, Salford
One of the lesser known play areas is the one in Roe Green, Worsley.
The Roe Green Play Park committee coordinated the fundraising for the refurbishment of the place.
The play area features lots of new equipment for children of different ages and some wooden animals which proved a welcome addition.
Peel Park, Salford
It might be on the doorstep of Manchester city centre but there's a whole lot of green space to enjoy at Salford's Peel Park.
Its play area, with picnic tables conveniently sited nearby, has sand diggers, a hexagon climbing frame and a zip wire, as well as a slide, swings and see saw.
Stamford Park, Altrincham
The play area at Stamford Park is a big hit with families, many of whom visit the park to feed the ducks.
There's lots of climbing opportunities on the wooden play equipment and you might just catch sight of some more unusual animals while you're there.
Cale Green Park, Stockport
The park reopened with new equipment at the beginning of 2019 and is a big hit with families in the area.
Equipment includes swings, a rope swing and a big tube slide.
It was done as part of work to improve the park, including the restoration of the bandstand roof and the play area.
Wythenshawe Park, Manchester
The park’s popular playground is open every day and has equipment for children aged five to 14.
It is a minute’s walk from the main car park and has picnic tables for eating out in the open air.
A multi-use games area near the playground is free and available all year round.
Moss Bank Park, Bolton
There are two play areas providing a wide range of equipment for toddlers to teenagers.
The more traditional play area for toddlers and juniors includes two large sand play areas and many accessible items of equipment including springy toys, swings, slides and climbing units.
The nearby area for older children includes a range of adventurous timber and metal equipment.
There are large open spaces for ball games and for people to have picnics.
Stamford Park, Stalybridge
The play equipment is suitable for children of a wide variety of ages from toddler swings and a small slide to much more adventurous equipment for older children such as the large tower slide, climbing frame and basket swings.
There is also a multi use games area which can be used for football, basketball, netball and cricket.
The park has water fountains for children to play in during the hot weather. It also features a wide variety of attractions – from formal gardens, to the aviary, play areas, the peacefulness of the Dingle and then a substantial path network up to Silver Springs countryside for those wanting to explore a bit further.
Victoria Park, Swinton
Not far from Swinton town centre is Victoria Park and it's another popular one for families.
Its recently refurbished play area offers a range of equipment, there's a tree trail to follow and outdoor gym equipment.
The main feature of the park is its beautifully restored bandstand - a grade two listed building which dates back to 1897 to commemorate the 60th year of the reign of Queen Victoria.
Victoria Park, Swinton Hall Road, Swinton, M27 4UR.
Queen's Park, Bolton
Queen’s Park is a traditional Victorian park just a few minutes' walk from Bolton town centre.
Once described as the ‘Jewel in the Crown’, it has a great play area with a variety of equipment for children of all ages.
There's a duck pond and the popular Queen's Park Cafe, which has a bouncy castle outside when the weather's nice enough.
Chorley New Road, Bolton, BL1 4RU.
Nuttall Park, Ramsbottom
Nuttall Park has an impressive play area, with a variety of play equipment including swings and climbing frames.
It's also a great place for exploring with your little ones - paddling in the river, or hiding in the wooded area - and there's lots of open space for football and running.
It has an active Friends of Nuttall Park group.
Nuttall Park, Ramsbottom, BL0 9LU.
Manor Park, Glossop
There is a wide range of play equipment including climbing frames, monkey bars and slides, as well as a toddler area sectioned off within the main play area.
The park is home to a miniature railway which operates during cafe opening hours and later on busier days.
Don't forget, if you want to share details of your favourite park - or perhaps one desperately in need of a makeover - email emma.gill@reachplc.com or share it with us on our Manchester Family Facebook page.
