We are travelling up north, via Birmingham. Does anyone have any recommendations of somewhere to visit for children aged 9 and 12 years old for a few hours? Ideally, just off the M42/M6.

[supersun23]

We are travelling up north, via Birmingham. Does anyone have any recommendations of somewhere fun and easy to visit for children aged 9 and 12 years old for a few hours? Ideally, just off the M42/M6. We like National Trust Places, wildlife, science and playparks.

Those fish and chips really are the best! We’ve been known to use the Unchained pass that you get to just go in for lunch.

Would you stop off in Birmingham? We went to the Back to Backs a few years back, and the Museum (and my favourite- the Pen museum!) The library is great too. Although I'm not sure what the situation is with the bin strike. We go on the M6 quite often and I always threaten Cadbury world!

Cadbury World

British motor museum

Depends how far north your going but wheel lock farm sandbach is great

The city centre is as clean as always, the rubbish is dealt with by private contractors

To that list of city centre museums I'd add the West Mids Police museum. My dc, 8 and 10 were not looking forward to it but we all came away amazed at what a great time we had.

Sandwell Country Park is nice too. A lot of open space, a couple of large playgrounds for small and older children and a go-ape similar climbing place.

+1 for Trentham gardens, but Shugborough is also nice

Wightwick Manor or Mosley Old hall in Wolverhampton. Harvington Hall.

Trentham Gardens or Monkey Forest

If you’re only looking for something to fill a few hours I wouldn’t try to do thinktank or Black Country museum, they are full days out. The monkey forest is perfect for a few hours and sandwell country park is another good shout.

I'd do Cadbury World!

Ideally, just off the M42/M6.
What route are you doing? I think that I would do M42 then M5, and avoid joining the M6 until the last possible moment (Ray Hall)

I’m wondering if you’re near me if you know both of those 😂

I'm not, we live in the borders, but I have family in Burntwood and Lichfield so head that way semi often
@MadisonAvenue

This. It's great!

Shugborough and the national arboretum are two we’ve done

Another vote for Shugborough. NT run now & once home of Lord Lichfield (royal photographer). Not the most grand country home but nice grounds & walks to while away a few hours en route elsewhere. Stafford junction on M6.

I LOVE the Black Country living museum and have done since being a child but it’s definitely more than a couple of hours type thing (more a full day out!) but if you can spare longer it is absolutely amazing!

Definitely the Black Country Museum but as others have said it’s a proper full day out. RAF

Cosford is a good shout. Great museum and they’re very nice about you bringing your own food. It is a little way down the M54 though so a short diversion off the M6.

Blists Hill is a little way further down the M54 but another brilliant day out. Ironbridge in general has amazing museums and is fab for just a wander and a visit. Great pubs, lovely park, the best pork pie shop.

Atwell Farm, it’s just off j3 of the M42

Likey Hills Country Park, if you want something free (apart from parking). Cafe, playground, toilets, loads of space to walk and run about.

Cadbury World

It’s a bit off the M42 and slightly south of Birmingham, but Warwick Castle is loads of fun at that age.

Severn Valley Steam Railway at Kidderminster is about 40 minutes from Birmingham and is also pretty close to the West Midlands Safari Park.

Or Cadbury World if you need closer.

Definitely the Black Country museum, it’s fab and they do lovely fish n chips 😋

There's a lot of fab ideas, Black Country Museum is fantastic but a long full day.
Think Tank is a half day and right in the city centre so need to check if you have to pay clean air zone.
I think you are looking for a couple of hours and not too big of a detour from your route, so this rules out Tamworth and anywhere to the east and north of it unless you decide to drop on to the M6 toll, and could consider Tamworth Castle - the grounds are also lovely, Snowdome and bowling all in close proximity.
Trentham Monkey Forest is a good shout for a couple of hours.