Fancy a team challenge for the whole family? Try Breakout Manchester

Let’s be honest. Manchester isn’t exactly known for its summer weather. The summer’s nearly over and we’ve had about two days of sun. Sorry to burst your bubble but it’s not set to get any better. Surprising, that. Not.

If it rains any more we’re probably going to need a lifeboat drill on the bus routes. Fortunately, we’re a persistent city and we’ve got plenty to do indoors. Especially with kids. Now we all know that when it’s raining it feels easiest to just pop the kids in front of the telly with a ham sarnie and a packet of cheese and onion crisps and call it a day. But you don’t have to. We have just the ticket.

Breakout is the perfect family bonding experience. It’s all indoor so you won’t need to worry about the weather.

At both Manchester locations there are rooms that are especially suitable for children with a range of themes that the whole family can get excited about.

If you’re popping into the Town Hall location, and the kids fancy themselves as mini- sleuths, head straight to The Detective Office where you find yourself framed as a killer and go on the run.

For those daredevils who think a prison break is more their scene, Infiltrate is the one. It’s set up perfectly, with one of your friends being wrongfully imprisoned and it’s your job to infiltrate the prison and help them break free. You’re in for a surprise with this one.

If you’d prefer the High Street location, Identify and Most Wanted are your go-to’s. Step into a world where your friend has been murderer in Identify and you think you know who did it, but the police don’t believe you. Typical. In a desperate attempt to find justice you have invaded the killer’s lair in the hopes of finding the proof to bring the killer to justice. However, the maniac could return at any time so get quick thinking.

Most Wanted gives you the chance to be the cowboys we all secretly want to be. Step aside, John Wayne. Here you’ll be acting as bounty hunters of the Wild West breaking into a saloon in search of loot. Big problem when you’re recognised from your Wanted posters and the sheriff is hot on your tail. This one’s a race to escape and you can’t help but quicken your heartbeat as the clock ticks down.

For more competitive families you can always book in two rooms and race against each other. If this sounds like your family, I would recommend the Reclassified rooms in Manchester. Head down and you’ll see what I mean.

Each room is more of a mental challenge rather than physical one, so don’t feel too bad about eating that last doughnut or wondering why that ‘summer bod’ just never happened. You can still take part.

Each room has a game operator who watches over your entire game through CCTV and lends a helping hand if you get stuck. It’s not often that you get to work together as a family team and spend quality time together so everyone comes away feeling like they’ve equally contributed, even if your only contribution was screaming as the clock counted down.

So next time you’re heading to Primark on Market Street, head down to the rooms on High Street next to the Arndale.

Or if you’re heading to Duttons for a G&T, head to Brazennose Street off Albert Square. There’s really no excuse not to.

So gather up your most competitive crew and get ready to get your game on. You can even win a free game for two by clicking here.

See you at Breakout.