What to do in Birmingham tomorrow with DD8, preferably for free/low cost

[Dauphinois]

We've got tickets to see Annie at the Hippodrome on Saturday evening but we've got a rare free day so I'd like to head into town a bit earlier.

Apart from mooch around the shops, what else could we do that afternoon?

And I do mean Saturday, not tomorrow - duh!

Watching this as we'll be in Birmingham in a few days with DCs aged 6 and 8...

on a sunny day I would just mooch around Brindley Place walk along the canals, go to the viewing balcony of the Library of Birmingham, visit the art gallery and museum, I think there's some kids stuff in the BBC at mailbox, plenty of places to eat. The Sea Life centre is in brindley place top.
If you want to do indoors then ThinkTank is great but a walk from there.

Library of Birmingham, and the Museum/gallery (both very close by)

Sounds daft but worth a trip to see the library building and the revamped centenary square area.

There's currently a play in water fountain outside the library that a lot of kids were playing in yesterday. Not sure how the logistics of drying them off and changing would work though. Maybe use the toilets in the library?
Think tank is great, it's not free though.
Birmingham museum and art gallery is good for a wander, unless your DD would get bored.its free so worth a look.
A wander around the peace gardens?
Cathedral on colmore row? You'd need to see if it's open to the public when you want to go but I think it's open more often than not. Would be nice and cool inside too.
Are you up for a few stops on the train to Birmingham university? The gallery there is free and interesting unless easily bored!
A walk around edgbaston reservoir? About a 20 min walk from the city centre. Free though.
Canon hill park? A little further out but free and has a play area.

The 'back to backs' are next to the hippodrome. They are run by the national trust and are fascinating. You would have to book your tour ASAP though (through the website). It would be under £20 for an adult and child. There is also a proper old fashioned sweet shop there.

Cannon Hill Park (Midlands Arts Centre)
ThinkTank
David Walliams themed treasure hunt at Waterstones

World of Walliams treasure hunt in Waterstones www.waterstones.com/events/summer-activities-world-of-walliams-week/birmingham

Go and visit the biggest Primark in the world.

The National Trust runs the back to back houses practically next to the Hippodrome, there's usually free stuff on at the library and symphony hall. The museum is free and is worth a mooch around.

The art gallery/museum is brilliant, and free.

Back to backs are great but you do have to book a time slot.

The museum is fab and free as is the library.

Cannon Hill Park is a good shout if it’s nice weather. It’s a quick bus ride from the centre. There’s a lake to rent peddle boats, a wee funfair, crazy golf and other bits. There’s a cafe and free loos too.

Take a look at Digbeth Dining club too. It’s a ten - fifteen minute walk from the centre and brilliant if you’re foodies. It’s a collection of food trucks with live music and fun bits to do like old school pinball machines, fuseball tables, old games consoles and loads more.

Have a walk down the canals from the Mailbox to Brindley Place and beyond.

The library and fountains are good.

I think in Centenary Square there’s a festival type thing happening over the weekend to celebrate 3 years until the Commonwealth games.

Thanks so much for all these ideas, lots to think about. Should have got organised earlier as I love the idea of the back to backs but I'm sure we'll keep ourselves busy

The Lego discovery centre