subject: Stuck for ideas for family trips to Birmingham? [print this page] With its prominent and diverse cultural and artistic heritage, it's no surprise that Birmingham is a popular destination for breaks in the Midlands, and the city also has a wide variety of excellent family attractions to appeal to visitors of all ages.
For big, loud and exciting family days out in and around Birmingham, visitors can head to Drayton Manor Theme Park - named Large Visitor Attraction of the Year in the West Midlands. Not only will visitors get the chance to ride on some of the country's finest roller-coasters and other attractions - such as the park's new 4D Cinema, offering the ultimate sensory experience - but Drayton Manor Theme Park also incorporates Drayton Manor Zoo. This popular zoological park is the perfect way to combine fun with education, as children can learn all about more than 100 species that inhabit the centre, from big cats to primates and reptiles.
Take the theme of discovery further by taking your kids to Birmingham's top interactive science centre, ThinkTank. Comprising 10 themed galleries full of interactive exhibits, including a jaw-dropping 360-degree planetarium depicting the marvels of the universe, ThinkTank aims to inspire young minds and astound visitors of all ages with its state-of-the-art attractions and effects, and is easily reached in Birmingham city centre.
Family days out don't all have to be about hi-tech rides and computer effects, of course, especially when Birmingham's outdoor activities are equally appealing. If you're looking for a place to relax or let the kids run around, Sutton Park - the biggest urban park in Europe - could be ideal. Birmingham's Botanical Gardens can also be an equally rewarding destination for children and adults alike, with adventure playgrounds and a dedicated children's discovery garden making sure the young ones are entertained.
If you are looking to keep the kids fit and active on your trip to Birmingham, you could find just the thing at the nearby Go Ape centre, an award-winning forest adventure course with zip wires, rope bridges and other obstacles that can be the ideal antidote to video games and too much TV. You don't have to venture too far from your hotels in Birmingham to find family-friendly events at venues in the heart of the city, such as the free family Saturdays promotion at the Ikon Gallery, where kids can get involved in all manner of activities to inspire their creative thinking on weekend breaks to Birmingham.
