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Birmingham

Family Guide to Birmingham: Things to Do with Kids

Birmingham gives families a mix of science, museums, galleries, libraries, theatre, parks, canals and large paid attractions across the city and wider West Midlands.

This guide covers family-friendly attractions in Birmingham, free and low-cost ideas, rainy-day activities, school-holiday events, public transport and accessibility.

How to Use This Birmingham Family Guide

This guide links to official tourism, council, heritage, museum and attraction websites. Opening days, admission prices, booking requirements, parking, public transport, exhibitions, play facilities and accessibility arrangements can change.

Always check the official page shortly before travelling, especially during school holidays, severe weather, major events or maintenance work. A venue appearing in this guide is not a recommendation or guarantee by Kidora.

No external videos are embedded on this page. Some linked official websites may contain their own video content, cookies or third-party services.

Official Planning Links for Families

Popular Family Days Out in Birmingham

Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum

Thinktank is a paid science museum with galleries and interactive experiences. Different spaces can have age, ticket or session arrangements.

Plan before travelling: Check admission, booking, planetarium or special-activity tickets, accessibility and current opening.

Visit the official Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum website

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery provides city-centre collections and exhibitions. Parts of the building or collection may reopen or close in phases.

Plan before travelling: Check exactly which galleries are open, current admission, family activities and access.

Visit the official Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery website

Library of Birmingham

Birmingham’s library service can provide books, family events and a lower-cost indoor stop. The Library of Birmingham is a central landmark, while community libraries may be more convenient for local families.

Plan before travelling: Check the correct branch, opening hours, children’s activities and lift or buggy access.

Visit the official Library of Birmingham website

Midlands Arts Centre

Midlands Arts Centre, in Cannon Hill Park, offers theatre, cinema, exhibitions and creative activities. The programme changes throughout the year.

Plan before travelling: Check age guidance, tickets, course requirements, parking, park events and accessibility.

Visit the official Midlands Arts Centre website

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Birmingham Botanical Gardens provides landscaped outdoor and glasshouse areas as a paid family visit.

Plan before travelling: Check admission, opening, events, path access, food rules and current glasshouse information.

Visit the official Birmingham Botanical Gardens website

Free and Low-Cost Things to Do in Birmingham

A low-cost family day can still include transport, parking, food, donations or optional activities. Check the complete cost rather than assuming that a venue described as free has no associated expense.

  • Use Visit Birmingham’s current free-things guide
  • Check current general admission at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
  • Visit a Birmingham library
  • Explore Cannon Hill Park around a planned MAC visit
  • Choose a canal-side or city-centre architecture walk with close child supervision
  • Check community festivals and museum family events

Indoor and Rainy-Day Activities in Birmingham

For wet or very hot days, check museum, library, gallery, theatre and indoor-attraction websites for current sessions and capacity limits.

  • Thinktank
  • Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
  • Library of Birmingham
  • Midlands Arts Centre
  • A booked family theatre, cinema or creative workshop
  • A city-centre gallery route based on what is currently open

Parks, Walks and Outdoor Activities

  • Cannon Hill Park
  • Birmingham Botanical Gardens
  • Official parks and countryside listed by Visit Birmingham
  • Short canal-side routes with close water supervision
  • Outdoor cultural and seasonal events

Paths, toilets, cafés, gates and play areas may be affected by weather or maintenance. Check the official location page before setting out with a pushchair, wheelchair or mobility equipment.

Things to Do with Babies and Toddlers

  • Age-suitable Thinktank spaces after checking current information
  • Library story and rhyme sessions
  • A short park and playground visit
  • Family sessions at MAC
  • A brief botanical-gardens visit with weather and rest planning

Ask venues directly about buggy access, baby-changing facilities, quiet spaces, feeding arrangements, age restrictions and whether a ticket is needed for a baby.

Things to Do with Primary-School Children

  • Explore science and technology at Thinktank
  • Use museum and gallery family trails
  • Attend an age-appropriate performance or workshop at MAC
  • Compare canals, industry and modern city development
  • Use gardens for plant, habitat and seasonal observation

Check age, height and supervision rules for workshops, climbing, cycling, water activities, rides and interactive equipment.

Family Events and School-Holiday Activities

Use current event listings rather than relying on an old article or social-media post. Popular sessions may require advance booking even when general entry does not.

  • Check Visit Birmingham’s family-events guide
  • Review Birmingham Museums family activities
  • Check MAC’s family programme
  • Confirm major city-centre event and travel arrangements
  • Look for current library and community sessions

One-Day Family Itinerary Ideas

Birmingham Science and Park Day

  1. Book Thinktank and any separate activity
  2. Allow a substantial indoor visit
  3. Take a nearby outdoor or food break
  4. Do not add Cannon Hill Park unless travel time suits the family

Cannon Hill Family Day

  1. Check MAC’s current family programme
  2. Choose a park activity suitable for the weather
  3. Plan food, toilets and parking
  4. Keep an indoor MAC activity as the weather backup

These are planning examples, not fixed schedules. Check travel time, opening arrangements and the child’s routine before combining locations.

Getting Around Birmingham with Children

  • Use Visit Birmingham’s current getting-around guide
  • Check West Midlands public transport information before travel
  • Review Birmingham’s current driving and Clean Air Zone information
  • Allow extra time during NEC, arena, football and festival events
  • Group central venues rather than crossing the city repeatedly

Birmingham and the wider West Midlands cover a large area. Check whether an attraction is in the city centre or another district before combining it with a second venue.

Accessibility and Family Facilities

Accessibility is individual. A general statement such as “accessible” may not explain gradients, surfaces, transfer space, sensory conditions, seating, lifts or toilet facilities.

  • Use Accessible Birmingham and venue-specific access pages
  • Check which BMAG galleries and lifts are currently open
  • Ask Thinktank about sensory and interactive-space arrangements
  • Confirm wheelchair spaces and relaxed events at MAC
  • Review paths, gradients and toilets for park or garden visits

Contact the venue directly where a family needs a Changing Places toilet, step-free route, wheelchair space, quiet session, carer ticket, assistance-dog information or another adjustment.

Food, Picnics and Allergies

  • Check whether outside food and reusable bottles are permitted
  • Ask the venue directly about allergen procedures and cross-contact risks
  • Bring food that can be stored safely for the length of the trip
  • Confirm whether picnic areas, cafés or indoor seating are available
  • Do not rely on an old online menu for a diagnosed food allergy

Planning a Family Day Out on a Budget

  • Compare the total price for the whole family, including booking fees
  • Check public transport, fuel, parking and clean-air or road charges
  • Pack food and drinks where the venue permits them
  • Combine one paid attraction with a park, walk, library or museum
  • Check family tickets, local-resident schemes and carer arrangements
  • Avoid buying specialist outdoor equipment before knowing it will be used regularly

Family Day-Out Safety

Choose activities that suit each child’s age, ability, health needs and level of supervision. Follow venue instructions, local warning signs and any individual healthcare or accessibility plan.

  • Check the weather and bring suitable layers, waterproofs or sun protection
  • Keep children closely supervised near roads, car parks, water, animals and play equipment
  • Confirm food-allergy arrangements directly with the venue
  • Carry prescribed medicines according to the child’s care plan
  • Agree a meeting point with older children
  • Keep emergency contacts available

Use the NHS sun-safety guidance, RNLI water-safety guidance and the Countryside Code where relevant.

Call 999 for an immediate or life-threatening emergency.

Preparing for Family Days Out with Kidora

Kidora is a UK-only marketplace where parents can buy and sell new and preloved baby and children’s items.

Families preparing for local days out may find pushchairs, baby carriers, coats, waterproofs, wellies, backpacks, picnic equipment, books, outdoor toys, bikes, scooters and seasonal clothing. Check the actual product, measurements, age or weight limits, instructions, condition, completeness and compatibility before purchase or use.

Sellers pay no selling fees and keep 100% of the item sale price. Buyers pay a mandatory Buyer Protection fee on paid purchases, shown before checkout.

Suitable items that are no longer needed can be listed at £0 as FREE rather than being thrown away, which may help another local family. FREE listings are collection-only, are secured through Kidora checkout and do not include a Buyer Protection fee.

Keep payment and messages inside Kidora. Arrange local collection privately after purchase and do not publish a home address in a listing.

Kidora and Buyer Protection do not inspect or certify products. Search the exact item in the UK Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls database. Do not sell or give away a recalled, damaged, incomplete or otherwise unsafe product.

Birmingham Family Day-Out Checklist

  • Check the official website on the day
  • Confirm whether advance booking is required
  • Check admission, parking and travel costs
  • Review age, height and supervision restrictions
  • Confirm buggy, wheelchair and toilet access
  • Check food and allergy arrangements
  • Prepare for the weather
  • Pack prescribed medicines and emergency contacts where needed
  • Keep a lower-cost backup plan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are good free family activities in Birmingham?

Museums or galleries with current free admission, libraries, parks and canal or architecture walks can be considered. Check current entry and event charges.

What can families do in Birmingham when it rains?

Thinktank, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, libraries and Midlands Arts Centre are strong indoor starting points.

Is Thinktank free?

Thinktank is generally a paid attraction. Check its official website for current prices, booking and any separately ticketed experiences.

Where can families find Birmingham events?

Use Visit Birmingham’s official family-events page and the current programmes of museums, libraries and MAC.

How can families plan accessible Birmingham days out?

Use Visit Birmingham’s accessibility guide and contact each venue for the specific route, toilet, seating or sensory information needed.