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Birmingham Attractions for Families
Indoors or outdoors, there’s so much for you and the family to see and do in Birmingham, with events and attractions for visitors of all ages.
Our Birmingham attractions for families guide brings you some great ideas of things to do in the city. Most of the events we’ve picked are just minutes away from Staying Cool’s aparthotel at Rotunda, part of the famous Bullring, while some are a little further afield and are a great way of spending a family day out.
Christmas in Birmingham
Full steam ahead for a fab Christmas! Immerse the family in the sights and sounds of this wonderful children’s tale as Vintage Trains brings The Polar Express to life at Moor Street station, just yards away from Staying Cool at Rotunda. There’s a re-enactment of the classic film as passengers are transported via classic train carriages to see Santa. The return journey is by a real steam engine. Book in advance as tickets sell out fast – selected dates from the end of November and throughout December.
Kids can join the winter wonderland scavenger hunt at Christmas Bricktacular at Legoland Discovery Centre, before building a Christmas tree and adding it to Santa’s farm, earning themselves a limited-edition pop badge! Running from November 20 until January 2, LEGO Santa will be there too (until December 24). This event is included within your standard LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Admission.
At Santa’s Grotto Experience at Sea Life Centre Birmingham there’s a Christmas grotto where Santa and his elves will hear what’s on your Christmas wish list and visitors can get up close to more than 2,000 creatures including sharks, gentoo penguins and the UK’s only sea otters, Ozzy and Ola. The grotto is open from November 20 to December 24. Usual admission fees apply plus an additional charge of £5 per child to see Santa in his grotto.
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is open again… but only for a little while longer
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery partially reopened with pop-up displays and a new-look Round Room featuring artworks and photography co-curated with people from Birmingham earlier in 2022 and this is your last chance to see the displays before the museum closes again for its refurbishment.
The pop-up displays, part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival (the cultural programme that’s part of the Commonwealth Games) make great Birmingham attractions for families with exhibitions telling the story of Birmingham’s recent history of culture, clubbing, diversity and more. The kids will love learning about Birmingham’s important role in the story of cinema at the interactive Flatpack Festival Wonderland display.
There’s also an exhibition featuring items from Birmingham’s incredible civic collection of paintings and industrial rarities.
The Edwardian Tearooms have also reopened for a slice of cake, coffee or juice in a lovely setting.
The museum, tearooms and gift shop closes again mid-November 2022. Check the website for latest times.
Play a round of golf at Bullring
The Bullring is not just about shopping and eating. How about challenging your family to a hole in one at Treetop Adventure Golf?
Putt your way through rainforests and ancient ruins at this mini indoor golf experience on the Ground Level. Then attempt to win a free round by scoring a hole in one on the Bonus 19th hole.
You can argue over who ended up in the most bunkers over Pigs ‘n’ Blankets Pizza, Espress Snowtinis and Ho Ho Hot Chocolate from the bars’ festive menu.
And Treetop has now launched a VIP party package for special occasions, family get-togethers and birthdays. Head to their website to find out more.
Visit Centenary Square Birmingham
If the kids need to stretch their legs, how about a walk over to the beautifully revamped Centenary Square?
Home to the Library of Birmingham and the Symphony Hall, the squares beautiful water fountains are the perfect spot to stop for a coffee and let the little ones have a run around.
The Library of Birmingham is good for families too
Inspire your kids with their homework by visiting the home of the largest Shakespeare collection of any public library in the world.
The Shakespeare Memorial Room, at the top of the Library of Birmingham, houses one of the most significant collections of The Bard’s material, including books, photographs, films and theatre programmes.
This treasure trove explains why the very first collected edition of Shakespeare’s works, the famous First Folio, is stamped as belonging to ‘Birmingham Free Libraries’.
With its beautiful wood panelled walls the Memorial Room, which was created in 1868, is worth a trip on its own.
You can also enjoy the views from the Library’s gorgeous rooftop gardens, a hot drink and food from the café or just choose a book and snuggle up in one of its cosy reading corners.
Symphony Hall hosts shows for children
If your kids have never heard a live orchestra before Symphony Hall’s family concerts are the perfect introduction.
They’ll be taken on a whistle-stop tour of the orchestra and explore the world of music from the sounds of the deep blue sea to a fantastical musical journey through time.
There’s plenty of audience participation to add to the fun too.
If you have toddlers in tow Notelets are relaxed mini-concerts at the CBSO Centre which combine music and stories. Don’t worry about fidgety feet. Dancing and jumping around are encouraged!
Explore the canals of Birmingham
Legend has it that Birmingham has more canals than Venice. You won’t spot any gondolas here but take a wander through the ICC off Centenary Square and you’ll reach the heart of Birmingham’s Brindleyplace and lovely canal network.
Take a boat trip or just wander along the towpaths and explore by foot. Brindleyplace has a range of pubs and cafes to pop into for refreshments along the way.
Kids will love spotting the colourful narrow-boats around Gas Street Basin and you can follow the towpath over to the Mailbox, which is home to restaurants, cafes, an independent cinema and shops including Harvey Nichols.
The Roundhouse kayaking trips
Enjoy a chance to see Birmingham from its world-famous waterway network as the recently-refurbished Roundhouse in Sheepcote Street hosts seasonal kayak tours and trips on heritage boats.
It’s also a starting point for themed walks too.
Although its guided tours wind down in winter you can still pop into this historic building’s visitor centre and exhibitions or check out a self-guided trail and discover how this unusual building once served as stables and stores for Birmingham Corporation’s Public Works Department.
Brindleyplace is a great place to dine with children
With its tree-lined squares, international cuisine and canal-side location Brindleyplace is a lovely spot to sit and relax with the kids.
You’ll find the National Sea Life Centre here, one of many indoor Birmingham attractions for families for those rainy days.
Get up close to more than 2,000 sea creatures, including penguins and sharks, and walk ‘under’ water through the UK’s only 360-degree Ocean Tunnel.
You can create the ultimate day out and save money with a multi-attraction ticket which gives entry to the Legoland Discovery Centre just around the corner too.
Art lovers can pop into the Ikon Gallery which holds Family Saturday art workshops. The activities are free but you need to book in advance.
A day in Digbeth for teenagers
Teenagers will love the colourful street art, shops, bars and restaurants in Digbeth, which is just a short walk from Staying Cool.
At its heart is the The Custard Factory, originally home to Bird’s Custard, but now a place to find independent businesses and the Mockingbird Cinema.
Look out for Red Brick Market on Floodgate Street which is a treasure trove of unique vintage clothes, homeware, art and antiques.
If you’d like to explore more of Digbeth, check out Staying Cool’s Guide to Digbeth blog.
Thinktank Science Museum
Big kids and little kids will love Thinktank – Birmingham’s science museum at Millennium Point with its steam engines, talking robots, gurgling guts and chocolate wrapping machine.
Discover four floors of hands-on exhibits and historical gems, including an interactive mini city for under 8s called MiniBrum and a 4k Planetarium.
Events and attractions’ opening times and entry requirements may be impacted by coronavirus guidelines. Please visit the venue’s website to check latest information.
THE ULTIMATE FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION
With so much going on in and around Birmingham for you and your family to experience, you may need a few days to take it all in. So why not take advantage of our spacious serviced apartments at Rotunda, the super central base in the heart of it all.
