Things to do with kids in Birmingham

A busy family city with canalside walks, museums, libraries, parks, soft play, and rainy-day venues.

Please check the official website before visiting, as opening times, prices, and availability can change.

Need a full plan for today?

Match activities, printables, and places in Birmingham with the Activity Matcher.

Open Activity Matcher

Quick stats

  • 21 family-friendly listings
  • 8 free ideas
  • 14 indoor options
  • 8 outdoor options
  • 8 birthday-friendly venues
  • 16 SEN-friendly listings
Loading listings…

Best for rainy days in Birmingham

Indoor museums, libraries, soft play, and activity centres suit wet weather. Always check official websites before travelling.

Top rainy-day picks

  • Birmingham Museum Family Galleries

    A city-centre museum with family-friendly art, history, and science galleries for calm indoor exploring in Birmingham. Free entry is a plus for budget days out, though some temporary exhibitions may charge separately.

  • Library of Birmingham Children’s Area

    A flagship Birmingham library with children's floors, book browsing, and quiet indoor breaks on rainy days. Free to visit and useful between museum or city-centre stops, though busy study periods can feel less toddler-friendly upstairs.

  • Birmingham Soft Play Centre

    A generic indoor soft play listing for toddler sessions, slides, climbing, and birthday groups.

  • Birmingham Family Swimming

    A family swimming listing for active indoor water play, confidence building, and weekend sessions.

Best free ideas in Birmingham

Parks, libraries, and free public venues help keep school holidays affordable.

Top free picks

  • Birmingham Museum Family Galleries

    A city-centre museum with family-friendly art, history, and science galleries for calm indoor exploring in Birmingham. Free entry is a plus for budget days out, though some temporary exhibitions may charge separately.

  • Cannon Hill Park

    A large Birmingham park with lakeside walks, playgrounds, picnic lawns, and space to burn energy outdoors. Free entry makes it a reliable sunny-day option near the city centre, with seasonal events sometimes adding extra family activities.

  • Library of Birmingham Children’s Area

    A flagship Birmingham library with children's floors, book browsing, and quiet indoor breaks on rainy days. Free to visit and useful between museum or city-centre stops, though busy study periods can feel less toddler-friendly upstairs.

  • Cannon Hill Park Family Day

    A flagship city park with lakes, playgrounds, and seasonal events that support full family afternoons outdoors. Popular for picnics, boating, and sunny weekend plans in south Birmingham.

Best outdoor options in Birmingham

Parks, farms, zoos, and outdoor trails suit dry weekends and after-school energy release.

Top outdoor picks

  • Cannon Hill Park

    A large Birmingham park with lakeside walks, playgrounds, picnic lawns, and space to burn energy outdoors. Free entry makes it a reliable sunny-day option near the city centre, with seasonal events sometimes adding extra family activities.

  • Cannon Hill Park Family Day

    A flagship city park with lakes, playgrounds, and seasonal events that support full family afternoons outdoors. Popular for picnics, boating, and sunny weekend plans in south Birmingham.

  • Sutton Park Family Trail

    A large national nature reserve on the city edge with woodlands, heathland, and lakes for adventurous family walks and wildlife spotting on sunny days. Allow extra travel time from the centre.

  • Birmingham Botanical Gardens

    Glasshouses and landscaped gardens offering calm outdoor learning about plants, seasons, and colour for families who enjoy quieter nature time. Entry fees may apply so check current information.

Printable backup ideas for Birmingham

Hunt sheets, bingo cards, and travel printables help with queues, cafés, and the journey home.

About days out in Birmingham

There are 21 listings in this guide covering free places, indoor venues, outdoor spaces, and birthday-friendly options. Use category filters above to narrow results, or browse activities and printables for at-home backup ideas.

FAQs

Common questions

What are good free days out in Birmingham?

Browse the free category for parks, libraries, museums with free entry, and public spaces. Always check official websites before visiting.

What can families do on a rainy day in Birmingham?

Prioritise museums, libraries, soft play, and indoor activity centres. Keep a printable hunt or bingo sheet ready for travel and queues.

How do I plan a full day in Birmingham with children?

Use the Activity Matcher with your city selected, then pair a morning outing with a quiet at-home or printable activity afterwards.

Related links