What to do in Birmingham this weekend??

[Boo100]

Husband on a course at NEC so we're going along for the ride and staying Sat night. Any thoughts on what I could take my 3 and 5 yr old to see/ do whilst he's busy? Thought about Cadbury World because of weather....what are the museums like? He's really into dinosaurs if there is anything like the Natural History Museum in Birmingham? And how easy is the driving/ parking?

Any recommendations greatly welcomed- thanks.

First thing you need to know is that the NEC is out by the airport and nowhere near the City Centre.
Good news is that there is a really good train service from Birmingham International straight through to Birmingham New Street which IS in the city centre. I suggest you leave the car at the NEC and get the train.
Cadbury World is in Bournville which is in the suburbs although again you can get a train there.
Better suggestion might be Think Tank which could take all day to get through. The Museum and Art Gallery are good too (and free) and has a lovely tea room. There is also the SeaLife Centre but I wouldn't eat there!

Sea Life Centre is good for that age group I think (say hello to the otters for me) - and the handmade burger company is just down the canal bank for lunch. It's a bit of a hike (or a longish stroll) from New Street though (but all through pedestrian streets so not too bad with DC)

I like the think tank, there used to be dressing up and water things or little ones to do - along wiht a street scene part where you could play at shps and cafes.

Thanks- just been on net looking at Think Tank and trying to find vouchers for Sea Life!! Is the NEC complex at the airport then? Just thinking how we could get from Crowne Plaza to airport station, then into the city. I think I would prefer the train, although never tried it with both at the same time. Daughter has running tendancies!

Second the Think Tank, they have an under 7 section which has a health clinic, water play, cafe, garage which they can dress up and play in. They also have lots of other thig to do, there is a stuffed animal type thing with a Triceratops head (trying to think of dinosaur thing)
Sign posted well from City centre and a big car park. My boys love it!

The station at the NEC is called Birmingham International and there are frequent trains into city centre.
Straight up the escalators turn left, follow the people until you get to the ramp with McDonalds on, straight down and there is an information kiosk at the bottom on the left. To ask for directions

The hotel will almost certainly have a shuttle to the station (or to the airport, which is linked to the station by a cool shuttle train which the DC will love).