Things to do in Birmingham

Things to do in Birmingham helping you discover interesting places about the city and also find FREE and fun activities for children and big kids. We identify things for Families and Children, Dog Walking, Education and Events.

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is a great place to start in Birmingham where there is no admission charge.

To book email MCC@birminghammuseums.org.uk or phone 0121 348 8231.

Address: Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3DH
Hours: Open today · 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Telephone: 0121 348 8007

Birmingham Library

There’s no charge enter the Birmingham library and opening hours are Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 8.00 pm, Saturday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm and Sunday 11.00 am to 4.00 pm.

The new £189million Birmingham library which has ten floors with photography exhibitions, performances, craft workshops including Come Stitch With Us held on the first Saturday of the month, 11.00 am to 2.00 pm, poetry readings fortnightly on Saturdays between 3.00 pm and 5.00 pm at the Cafe Mezannine and they have fun sessions for toddlers every Thursday during term time, 11.30am -1pm.

Saturday is Story Time at the Children’s Library held every Saturday, 11.30 am -12.00pm in the Children’s Library.

You can go right the top of the library and take in the views of city and from the 14th November to 3rd January you can see the Ice Skating from above and the big wheel.

Address: Library of Birmingham, Centenary Square, Broad St, Birmingham, West Midlands B1 2ND
Telephone: 0121 242 4242

Parks and gardens

Birmingham City Council looks after nearly 600 parks and over 200 play areas in and around the city so there is plenty of places to find green spaces for Children to let off some steam in the fresh air.

Some examples are below:-

Bartley Green

Woodgate Valley Country Park, Bromwich Wood Local Nature Reserve, Ley Hill Recreation Ground, Bangham Pit Rec, Senneleys Park, etc.

Edgbaston

Woodview Calthorpe Park, Cannon Hill Park, etc

Hall Green

Sarehole Mill, Marion Way Public Open Space, The Dingles, Cole Bank Playing Field, Greet Mill Meadow, John Morris Jones Walkway, Scribers Lane, etc.

Harborne

Lightwoods Park, Queens Park, Shakespeare Gardens (Lightwoods), The Grove (Harborne), Bourn Walkway, Chadbrook Walkway, Harborne Walkway, etc

Erdington

Rookery Park, Holly Lane Sports Ground, Spring Lane Playing Field, Sycamore Close Play Area, Yenton Playing Field, Sutton New Road Erdington, etc.

Kingstanding

Park House Drive Play Area, Kingstanding Beacon, Kingstanding Leisure Centre, Warren Farm Public Open Space, etc.

Moseley and Kings Heath

Cannon Hill Park, Highbury Park, Kings Heath Park, Albert Road Recreation Ground, Moor Green Sports Ground, Sorrento Play Area, etc.

Sparkbrook

Calthorpe Park, Balsall Heath Park, Farm Park, George Street Play Area, Pickwick Park, Spark Green Park, Poplar Road Play Area, Balsall Heath Road / Wenman St Play Area, etc.

Stockland Green

Brookvale Park, Witton Lakes, Magnet Sports Centre, Windsor Place Play Area, Underwood Pocket Park, etc.

Tyburn

Pype Hayes Park, Castle Vale Centre Park, Castle Vale Playing Field, Filton Croft Play Area, Paget Village Green, Sorrel Park, Spitfire Way Play Area, Westland Walk, Castle Vale Baths, Cadbury Road, Castle Vale Conservation Area, Castle Vale Sports Centre, Chester Road, Rough Coppice Walk, The Stables and Paddocks, Thomas Walk, Watton Green, etc.

Quinton

Lightwoods Park, Quinton Meadows Country Park, Woodgate Valley Country park, etc

MAC (Midland Arts Centre)

The MAC is located at Cannon Hill Park giving the children plenty of open space to run around and then admission to the MAC is free.

Performance events for audiences such as films, plays, talks, dance and comedy do have a charge but you can find often things to see which are free.

Address: MAC (Midland Arts Centre), Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, West Midlands, B12 9QH
Telephone: 0121 446 3232
Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Sandwell Valley Country Park

Sandwell Valley Country Park is a great place for the kids with the vast open space and so many things to do including adventure climbing activities and sporting equipment, a sandy beech area for the little ones and much more.

It is great for cycling and walkers with a huge area to enjoy.

Address: Salter’s Lane, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B71 4BG

Sutton Park

Sutton Park is a vast area which delivers a sense of wilderness within the city. Enjoy the captivating scenery by walking or cycling the network of paths.

Address: Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield, B73 6LH
Telephone: 0121 355 6370

Birmingham National Sea Life Centre

The Birmingham National Sea Life Centre is a great place to take the kids, the weather cannot spoil this one. The huge aquariums with over 60 displays of freshwater and marine life including penguins, otters and even a soft play area that will keep the children entertained for hours.

Address: National Sea Life Centre , The Waters Edge, Brindley Pl, Birmingham B1 2HL
Telephone: 0871 423 2110