Featuring: starfish stroking, pedal boat riding and an education in chocolate
Brum’s the second largest city in the UK, so it makes perfect sense that there’s plenty for families to do, even if you haven’t planned ahead. Here are some suggestions.
We at Time Out aren't the only ones saving the day for parents this summer. Freddo, the adventure-loving cartoon frog, is all about seeking out fun and helping out his friends. You can read Freddo's first ever comic – ‘The Missing Hop’ – by searching 'Missing Hop' on the iTunes store. Perfect reading material for those long car journeys...
First things first: when you buy your entry tickets, everyone is given a Crunchie, a Cadbury Dairy Milk and a Curly Wurly to chow down on. Then, as you might imagine, it’s mostly chocolate on the agenda for the day. Learn about the Cadbury family, take a virtual ride on the Crunchie Rollercoaster, make fast work of the cups of melted chocolate dished out on the tour, and take a colourful ride through Chocolate Wonderland.
Bournville, B30 1JR. www.cadburyworld.co.uk
Reckon your kids would enjoy stroking a starfish? Absolutely certain they’ll lose their minds when they see a clownfish because they’ll think it’s Nemo from ‘Finding Nemo’? Keen for them to go on a 4D under-the-sea cinematic adventure? Definitely go here. There’s no café, though, so be prepared to leave the building and hit up nearby Brindleyplace for refreshments (re-entry is guaranteed).
Brindleyplace, B1 2HL. www.visitsealife.com
Two hundred acres of total bliss for children of all ages. Attractions include the Fun Park (a land of rides, slides, games, boats and candy floss), Golden Putter Mini Golf (36 holes!), a Land Train (hop on, hop off), Swan Pedal Boats (explore the lake, lifejackets included) and Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park. You’ll fill a whole day here, easily, then make plans to head back and tick off everything you didn’t do first time around.
Russell Road, B13 8RD. www.cannonhillpark.co.uk
Indoor mini golf with two themed 18-hole triple-level courses: one a Hidden Cove Challenge around a dormant volcano (not a real one, obvs) and some talking totem poles, the other a Lost Hut Trail through abandoned temples and old island villages. The perfect activity for the budding Rory McIlroy or Michelle Wie in your brood, or for any adults keen to get overly competitive with their kids.
Star City, Watson Road, B7 5SB. www.adventureislandminigolf.co.uk
A place where it’s all about getting physical with the 200+ hands-on displays across the museum’s four floors. Whether it’s operating a digger arm, answering telephones or pretending to run a café, it’s all designed to help kids learn about the world around them. Your babies will be taking part in the BBC’s Child Genius competition before you know it.
Millennium Point, B4 7XG. www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/thinktank
