One of my favourite days in Birmingham started at the top of the library. There were four kids and two adults to please, so we let everyone pick one stop. Arlo wanted a toy shop, one of the other kids wanted to look at trainers, and the adults got a say too. We sat up there looking out over Birmingham, worked out a route between our six stops and then went off to do it.
That’s quite often how we do town. We might have one thing booked, but there’s always time for a mooch around the shops or a bubble tea. If you’re coming to Birmingham for Cadbury World and have a second day to fill, or you’re getting off the train at New Street and wondering where to start, here’s what I’d do with kids in the city centre.
Start at Birmingham New Street and Grand Central
Birmingham New Street is the train station, and Grand Central is the shopping centre directly above it. They’re part of the same stop, so once you’re off the train you can head upstairs and get straight on with your day.
Arlo’s first port of call is usually Flying Tiger. He likes to see what’s new, and then we head over to MINISO for the plushies, cute characters and kawaii bits. Sandbox VR is in Grand Central too. I’d look at that if you’ve got older kids who love gaming, and check the age guidance for the experience you want to book.
From Grand Central, take the indoor link bridge into the Bullring. This is where you’ll find Lane7 on the way across. It’s also a good point to stop for lunch. Arlo likes A Bento Box and YO! Sushi, or we’ll pick up sandwiches and get a bubble tea as a little treat.
What I’d do in Birmingham with kids if it was pouring
If I was driving in and it was absolutely chucking it down, I’d use the underground Bullring Centre Car Park and go straight to Lane7 for bowling. You can get from the car park into the shopping centre and do the whole outing indoors. If we only had a couple of hours, I’d do bowling, let Arlo pick a shop, then grab sandwiches.
With a bit longer, we’d go to the LEGO Store and see what there is to make. Arlo and I like building our own minifigures. I’d also stop at The Entertainer, especially if you’ve got younger children. There’s a tiny free soft play inside, which is handy when they’ve spent most of the morning being asked to walk nicely around shops.
My tip in the run-up to Christmas, when they spot something they desperately need that very second, is “Let’s take a picture and send it to Santa.” They get to show me exactly what they like, I get an idea for later, and we can carry on without buying something in every shop.
If you’re planning a whole wet-weather day, I’ve got more ideas in my guide to indoor activities for kids on rainy days in Birmingham.
What I’d do with teenagers in Birmingham city centre
For a group of 13- or 14-year-olds, I’d start with TOCA Social if they’re into football. They can have a booth with their friends and get on with the games while you give them a bit of space. Under-18s need an accompanying adult, so I’d stay at TOCA for the session and ask the venue about seating if you’d like to sit nearby.
Treetop Golf is another good one for a group, particularly if everyone wants something they can play together. For kids who are more into gaming or cars, I’d look at F1 Arcade in Paradise, by Chamberlain Square. The racing simulators are some of the best I’ve tried. It’s a treat, so I’d check whether there’s a lunch or family offer for the day you’re going. Drivers need to be at least seven, and the Birmingham venue requires under-18s to be accompanied by someone aged 21 or over.
The cinema works well at this age too. With older teens, I like the idea of letting them choose their film while the adults see something else at the same time, if everyone’s comfortable with that and the film ratings and cinema rules allow it. And if the group would rather shop, I’d do our one stop each plan again. Trainers, toys, somewhere for food, and everyone gets something they chose, including the adults.
For more ideas beyond the city centre, see my days out with teenagers in Birmingham and the Midlands.
More of our favourite stops around the Bullring
We’ll often have a look in HMV or Smiggle, and Arlo loves going into Selfridges. We go up to look at the toys and then have a wander around the counters. It’s definitely where the treat budget can get a bit out of hand, but even a browse feels like part of the day out. Around Christmas, it’s worth checking whether there’s any in-store entertainment on the day you visit.
Over on High Street, Primark is another place we like for a stop. We’ve been when the café had a Grinch theme and when it was Stitch. I think it’s reasonably priced for a drink and a cake pop, and there’s a Greggs café in the store too. The themes change, so check what’s on before promising anyone a particular character.
If we’re going towards the Hippodrome, we like to go into the Chinese supermarkets in Chinatown and see what sweets and snacks we can find. Letting the kids pick something they’ve never tried before is a little activity in itself.
Free things to do in Birmingham city centre with kids
Go up to the viewing gallery at the Library of Birmingham
You can go into the Library of Birmingham in Centenary Square for free. Take the lift up for the panoramic views. On a clear day it’s lovely just to stand there and see how much of Birmingham you can recognise. There’s also the Shakespeare Memorial Room to look out for near the top.
This is where I’d start if everyone wants to do something different. Have a sit down, let each person pick one place and work out which stops make sense together. It’s how we ended up with a day that worked for all six of us.
Visit Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and walk through the squares
From the Bullring, you can walk up New Street to Victoria Square and into Chamberlain Square for Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. General admission is free, and you can pop in for a short visit. The Wild City family gallery is a good place to look if you’re with younger children.
From there you can carry on through Centenary Square. I like looking at the statues and stopping for a few photos, especially if we’ve spent most of the morning indoors. If there’s a Wild in Art sculpture trail running while you’re visiting, get the map up and let the kids choose which one to find next.
Follow the canals to Brindleyplace
If you keep going towards Brindleyplace, you can have a walk by the canal and pop into Ikon Gallery, which is free to visit. The exhibitions change, so have a look at what’s on if you want to see what might appeal to your kids.
This is also the part of town I’d head towards for the National SEA LIFE Centre or LEGOLAND Discovery Centre. I’d pick one as the main thing for the day, then see whether everyone still fancies a canal walk or a café stop afterwards.
Make a show or the cinema your big treat
We go to the theatre quite a lot, and there’s usually something worth a look at Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham Rep or The Alexandra. If we’re going to the Hippodrome, we can do Chinatown before the show. If we’re going to the Rep, we’re already by Centenary Square, so the library or museum is easy to fit in.
Everyman Cinema in the Mailbox is one of our birthday or Christmas treats. It’s more expensive than our usual cinema trip, but I love that you can order food to your seat. It feels like going out for dinner and seeing a film in one go. There are also a few good photo spots around the Mailbox, and Medicine Bakery is a lovely stop if you fancy something to eat while you’re there.
How I’d put the day together
- A couple of hours and heavy rain: Park under the Bullring, go straight to Lane7, then pick a shop and grab sandwiches. Add LEGO or The Entertainer if you’ve got time.
- A low-cost afternoon: Start at the library or museum, walk through the squares and down to the canal, then give everyone a small budget for one treat.
- A day out with older kids: Book TOCA Social, mini golf or F1 Arcade, then let everyone choose one stop on the way to food.
- Two days in Birmingham: Give Cadbury World its own slot in Bournville. On the city-centre day, pick one thing you really want to do, then leave room for whatever everyone spots along the way.
Some of our nicest days in Birmingham have started with a plan for one thing and ended with Arlo making a minifigure and me carrying a bubble tea. If everyone gets one stop they’re looking forward to, that’s usually enough of a plan for us.
Last Updated on Thursday, November 12, 2026 by Lavania Oluban