Older kids and teens (11–16) in Birmingham need a hook - escape rooms, indoor climbing, big museums and proper days out that feel grown-up enough to keep them engaged.
The Ackers Trust · Birmingham
An outdoor activity centre offering skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, zip wires and more. Sessions are coached making them accessible to beginners. It's a brilliant place for children to try new adventures in a safe, supervised environment.
Birmingham Museums Trust · Birmingham
A magnificent Jacobean mansion in north Birmingham with grand historic interiors and a long history of royal visits. Free entry and brilliantly atmospheric for children with an interest in history.
National Trust · Birmingham
A National Trust guided tour through the last surviving court of back-to-back houses in Birmingham, telling the stories of working-class families across two centuries. Intimate, moving, and brilliant for older children.
Birmingham Climbing Centre · Birmingham
A dedicated indoor climbing venue offering bouldering and roped climbing for all abilities. Family sessions welcome complete beginners with instruction available. It's a brilliant way to build confidence, problem-solving skills and get active together whatever the weather.
Birmingham Hippodrome · Birmingham
The Hippodrome's annual pantomime is a spectacular family tradition with star names, lavish sets and plenty of audience participation. Expect classic panto fun with modern twists, dazzling costumes and special effects that wow all ages. Book well ahead as these shows sell out fast.
Birmingham Museums Trust · Birmingham
A magnificent free city centre museum with an outstanding Pre-Raphaelite collection, Egyptian mummies, and regular family activity trails. The Round Room alone is worth the visit.
Birmingham Museums Trust · Birmingham
The museum's stores open to visitors with thousands of objects not on display elsewhere. Pre-booked tours take you behind the scenes to see everything from fine art to social history collections. It's a treasure hunt through Birmingham's stored heritage.
Birmingham City Council · Birmingham
The Bull Ring markets offer a vibrant cultural experience with international foods, street snacks and bustling atmosphere. Children love sampling treats, watching vendors and soaking up the energy. It's sensory, educational and perfect for adventurous eaters.
Rollerworld · Birmingham
A dedicated roller skating rink offering public sessions, lessons and disco sessions. It's retro fun that gets everyone moving regardless of ability. Skate aids available for beginners and the café serves snacks for energy top-ups.
Millennium Point Trust · Birmingham
While Think Tank itself is listed, the planetarium shows deserve separate mention. These immersive astronomy experiences transport families through the cosmos with stunning visuals and engaging narration. Different shows suit different ages from toddler-friendly daytime to deep space exploration.
Birmingham City Council · Birmingham
A purpose-built outdoor adventure park with BMX tracks, skateparks, climbing walls and high ropes courses. Equipment can be hired or bring your own. It's perfect for developing physical skills and confidence in a supervised environment.
Brindleyplace · Birmingham
Birmingham's vibrant canalside quarter with public art, open plazas, and family-friendly restaurants surrounding the canal network. A free and relaxed environment that works well as a base for a city centre family day.
Cadbury World · Birmingham
A chocolate lover's dream in Bournville — tour the history of Cadbury, watch chocolate being made, and enjoy generous tastings throughout. Hugely popular with families and essential booking well in advance.
Birmingham City Council · Birmingham
A beautiful free Victorian park in Edgbaston with boating lakes, a nature centre, miniature railway, and one of Birmingham's best playgrounds. A genuinely excellent free family day in a city that does parks well.
National Trust · Birmingham
Rolling hilltops with four distinct summits offering breathtaking views across several counties. Miles of footpaths wind through heathland and woodland, perfect for family rambles and kite flying. The visitor centre provides trail maps and there's plenty of space for adventurous exploration.
Drayton Manor · Birmingham
A classic British theme park near Tamworth with Thomas Land for younger children and full-size thrill rides for older ones. A reliable full-day family outing within easy reach of Birmingham city centre.
Electric Cinema · Birmingham
The UK's oldest working cinema in the Jewellery Quarter with regular family screenings in beautifully restored art deco surroundings. A special occasion cinema trip that feels genuinely different to a multiplex.
Canal and River Trust · Birmingham
A flat, buggy-friendly walk along Birmingham's famous canal network through the city centre. Free, atmospheric, and a great way to explain to children that Birmingham has more canals than Venice.
Birmingham City Council · Birmingham
Joseph Chamberlain's former Victorian mansion set in lovely free parkland in Moseley. The grounds are excellent for a relaxed family walk and the hall itself opens for occasional guided tours.
Ikon Gallery · Birmingham
A free contemporary art gallery in a restored Victorian Gothic school building in Brindleyplace. The changing exhibitions are thought-provoking and the family interpretation materials are genuinely well made.
Birmingham Museums Trust · Birmingham
A fascinating free museum in the heart of Birmingham's historic Jewellery Quarter tracing 250 years of goldsmithing and silversmithing. The working demonstrations are particularly captivating for older children.
Warwickshire County Council · Birmingham
A sprawling country park built around a series of lakes, just outside Birmingham's border. Families can walk, cycle, sail or simply feed the ducks. There's an adventure playground, miniature railway and visitor centre with a café overlooking the water.
Birmingham City Council · Birmingham
A sprawling country park on the edge of Birmingham with woodland trails, open meadows and panoramic views from Beacon Hill. Perfect for family picnics, den building and letting kids run wild in nature. The visitor centre offers maps and seasonal activities.
Midlands Arts Centre · Birmingham
A lively arts centre in Cannon Hill Park with a strong programme of family theatre, creative workshops, and exhibitions running year-round. The outdoor space and cafe make it a great half-day base.
Merlin Entertainments · Birmingham
Home to the UK's only 360-degree transparent ocean tunnel, with daily feeding talks and close encounters with giant sea turtles. The behind-the-scenes tours are particularly popular with older children.
NEC Birmingham · Birmingham
The NEC hosts major family shows throughout the year including Crufts, spring and autumn caravan shows featuring play zones, and Christmas markets. Check the calendar for family-friendly events offering hands-on activities and entertainment.
Historic England · Birmingham
A time-capsule Victorian coffin furniture factory in the Jewellery Quarter, preserved exactly as workers left it. Guided tours reveal the quirky stories of Birmingham's coffin fittings trade with original machinery, tools and even a dusty cup of tea. It's a fascinating slice of industrial history that's surprisingly engaging for children.
Alternative Birmingham Tours · Birmingham
A guided walking tour through the real Digbeth and Small Heath locations that inspired the hit TV series. Ideal for teenagers and older children who know the show — a genuinely engaging way to explore the city.
Rush UK · Birmingham
A massive indoor trampoline arena with dozens of interconnected trampolines, foam pits and dodgeball courts. Dedicated toddler sessions provide safe bouncing time for little ones. It's high-energy fun whatever the weather, guaranteed to tire everyone out.
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council · Birmingham
A large free country park on the edge of Birmingham with a farm, nature reserve, and RSPB reserve all in one site. The rare breeds farm is particularly popular with toddlers and younger children.
Birmingham City Council · Birmingham
One of the largest urban nature reserves in Europe with heathland, lakes, ancient woodland, and a Roman road cutting through it. Free, vast, and brilliant for a proper family outdoor adventure.
Birmingham Museums Trust · Birmingham
A self-guided heritage trail through the Jewellery Quarter connecting historic workshops, museums and architectural gems. Pick up a free map and explore at your own pace, discovering hidden courtyards and Victorian buildings. Great for combining education with ice cream stops.
Birmingham Repertory Theatre · Birmingham
The REP produces high-quality theatre specifically for families throughout the year, from fairy tales to contemporary stories. Productions are thoughtfully staged to engage children while entertaining adults. The theatre also runs creative workshops alongside many shows.
Birmingham Museums Trust · Birmingham
Four floors of hands-on science exhibits covering everything from the human body to space exploration, plus a planetarium. One of the best science museums outside London and brilliantly suited to primary-age children.
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre · Birmingham
Just beyond Birmingham, the Grand's traditional pantomimes offer spectacular family entertainment with professional casts and lavish production values. A more intimate theatre than the Hippodrome offering a different festive experience.