Birmingham city centre with kids.

[Hickry]

Does anyone with knowledge of the area have any suggestions on things we'd enjoy? We'll be visiting the area soon and will have a few hours free time on two or three separate days.

Initially I'd planned Lego Discovery but based on the ticket prices and the way my youngest hated Drayton Manor recently I'm not sure I can face the spending versus the enjoyment levels! 😱

Is ThinkTank good?

Are there any nice open spaces we could eat a picnic?

Anywhere we might enjoy that's central and I don't have to sell an organ for admission?

Weirdly both of my kid's seem quite taken with the idea of the world's biggest Primark and for some reason want to go there. This is surprising but I'll be taking them as they agree on stuff once in a blue moon!

I'm usually very happy to be planning stuff like this but our last few outings as a family have been very stressful and I'm tempted to just buy them happy meals and put the hotel room tv on. 😔🤷

Hi OP, how old are the DC?

Yeah, how old?

Theres 'gardens' around the think tank that you could picnic in. And the thinktank is great.

For older kids, try Tilt, the pinball cafe, we love it there.

You could get a water taxi along the canals.

Theres a cat cafe.

Primark can be a whole day out affair tbh! Its not for me, but plenty of people do.

My experience is with preschool age so bear that in mind!

Think Tank is great, love the Mini Brum role play town at the top and the science garden outside (I think the science garden is free to visit after 3pm too) - would definitely recommend.

I like Legoland but it's not that big - two small rides, a 4D cinema, lots of lego, soft play - I'd do it if you have a little one and you can get a deal on tickets. We have Merlin Passes but I wouldn't pay full price. My preschooler loves it though.

Sea Life Centre - lovely if you have a baby but otherwise only takes about an hour with a preschooler who wants to rush through - again not worth full price. I'd do Legoland over this.

ThinkTank was great when I was last there (about 10 years ago mind you!). How old are the kids?
The huge Selfridges (the big weirdly shaped building opposite Moor St Station has a lot of interesting stuff to look at. Also the whole Bullring if they enjoy shopping.
Sealife Centre in Brindley place.
Have a lovely time

Birmingham museum is nice,we used to like going there and going to the top of Birmingham library. I've heard the winterbourne gardens are nice but it's not city centre

Hey, think tank is great bit for a cheapish day out I'd take them to the Lapworth museum in Edgbaston. It's small and free entry and then from there walk down into Cannon Hill park for a picnic which is lovely and then take them to the nature centre at Cannon hill, mini zoo but not expensive to wander around.
If you're coming on the train you can get the train into new street and then onto University for the Lapworth museum (6 min journey) or there's parking there and at cannon hill if you're driving

It's closed at the moment sadly

The Thinktank is fab and echo the idea of the library too! My DD likes to catch a tram to the jewellery quarter and mooch around there
Echo the cat cafe too
Indoor mini golf in the bullring is fun
Visit the mechanical bill at Grand Central ❤️ His eyes move and light up every hour/half hour

Not so many picnic spots, but maybe the pigeon park?

The dancing fountains in Centenary Square are free and great fun on a sunny day! My son spent ages running up and down through the jets of water. Some kids were even in full swimwear. Take towels and a change of clothes!

If you're happy to jump on the bus then Cannon Hill Park isn't far from the city centre and has good playgrounds, the Midlands Arts Centre (the MAC) which usually has free exhibitions, swan pedalos on the lake, mini golf plus it's just a nice park to walk around. Next to Cannon Hill Park is the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park (known as the Nature Centre). It's £8 adults, £4 kids and has some cool animals, small soft play and outdoor playground. Also round the corner from the park is the Botanical Gardens which I think is similar prices.

If you're sticking to the city centre then the mechanical bull from the commonwealth games opening ceremony now lives in New St Station so is worth a visit if passing.

Have a look on the Independent Birmingham website if you want some ideas for places to eat

Thank your all so much.

I have one older child and one younger so it's tricky. Luckily the older one is fairly laid back.

We looked into the cat cafe but the reviews are terrible! 😱

ThinkTank looks ace but is closed. I'll remember it for another year though.

Definitely make your way to the Nature Centre, at Cannon Hill Park one of the days. My dc still love going there and they are adults now. It is great for toddlers and tweens and teens.

Nature Centre

There is (pay for) parking there, or, if you are staying in the City Centre, buses every few minutes out along the Bristol Rd (A38)

The BMAG actually has several sites around the City. It is a shame the City Centre Museum is undergoing repairs at the moment but Aston Hall is lovely (and in a big park, for picnics).

You can spend quite a while wandering around the City Centre, from Victoria Square to Centenary Square, in to the wonderful library building (visit the Shakespeare room, the outdoor garden and viewing gallery) , the fountains in the square, and along the canals. St Phillips Cathedral. Visit 'Ozzy' the moving bull from the Commonwealth games who is now in Grand Central, above New Street Station.

The Jewellery Quarter is quite novel to walk around for a little bit, and one of the museums is there.

Absolutely second Canon Hill Park! Love it

I did a similar post a few weeks ago. We just returned from our trip. Think tank is good. Primark was great, it has a disney cafe but we had already eaten. I wouldn't recommend lego discovery, it's ok if you have a merlin pass but not at full price. Library is huge and kids area is great with table tennis, it's underground but with a glass roof, hard to explain but definitely worth a visit