Grass in foreground, Witley Court with blue sky behind

Things to do in the West Midlands: Summer holidays 2023

With the West Midlands summer holidays 2023 rapidly approaching, it’s time for a list of things to do in the area. Lots of attractions have events taking place this year, both indoors and outside. From family trails to fun days and activity camps, there’s lots to see and do around the West Midlands. If you’re on a budget, check out my post about free things to do in the West Midlands as well.

This post covers the West Midlands County area only. If you are looking for days out in nearby counties during the summer holidays, please see below:

Bear Grylls Adventure West Midlands Summer Holidays 2023

Whilst there is no specific summer holidays event taking place at Bear Grylls Adventure, there are plenty of exciting indoor and outdoor activities to fill a day out. Choose from:

  • Axe Throwing
  • Archery
  • iFly indoor skydive
  • High ropes course
  • Shooting
  • Climbing
  • Cage snorkelling
  • Shark dive
  • Escape rooms

To find out more and to book, head to the Bear Grylls Adventure website.

Black Country Living Museum (BCLM)

I can’t see a specific summer holidays event at Black Country Living Museum this year. However, they do have various events for children and families on specific dates. This includes their young archaeologists and Summer Lates on Fridays. This is an opportunity to visit for just £7.50 from 4pm to 8pm, when there will also be live music. If you’re planning on a visit, they recommend booking in advance.

General admission tickets will be converted to an UnChained Annual Pass, allowing free daytime return visits for 12 months. For full information and to book, head to their website. If you are thinking of visiting during the summer holidays, you can read my review of the Black Country Living Museum.

Female historical character with a horse at the Black Country Living Museum near Dudley in the West Midlands. This is a living history museum that is perfect for visitors of all ages from small children to adults. It is an excellent, full day out with both food outlets and picnic areas available. Includes the Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Whilst there’s no specific event for the West Midlands summer holidays 2023 at the Botanical Gardens, there’s still lots going on. Events taking place on specific dates include outdoor theatre and live music as well as botanical talks, pond dipping and animal handling. Full details are on the Botanical Gardens website.

Cadbury World

Freddo’s Magic Show will be taking place at Cadbury World throughout the summer. Shout abracadabra as Freddo the magician astounds you. Be amazed as he makes things disappear and reappear elsewhere. He might even use magic to bring something to life! Full details are on their website and you can read my review of a family day out at Cadbury World.  

A family day out at Cadbury World Birmingham West Midlands little girls with cadbury bunny

Cannon Hill Park West Midlands Summer Holidays 2023

Whilst no specific event takes place at Cannon Hill Park during summer holidays, it’s always a great day out with plenty to do for all ages. Toilet facilities are available and you can purchase food and drink or enjoy a picnic. Activities include:

  • Fun Park:  The fun park has rides, activities and games for children aged up to 10 years old. 
  • Golden Putter: 36-hole mini golf. 
  • Land Train: Tour the park on the land train. 
  • Swan Lake Boating: Hire a pedal boat and relax in the park’s lake.
  • MAC Birmingham: Check out the exhibitions, galleries, theatre, cinema, crafts and workshops. 
  • Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park: Visit animals including red pandas, monkeys and reptiles and meet the keepers to learn more about them. 
  • Sports Facilities: Participate in tennis, fishing, running, cycling and walking. 

Full information is available on the Cannon Hill Park website.

Coventry Transport Museum  

Look out for a Summer of Play-Hem at the Coventry Transport Museum from 26th July to 30th August 2023. Three separate activities are on offer so there’s something for all the family.

  • Mini Museum Engineers (free with admission): 0-5 year-olds can take part in child-led play around STEM concepts. Learn and explore while you play.
  • Tinker Make Play (free with admission): Take things apart, use tools and make your own inventions, letting your immagination run wild.
  • MiCLab Workshops (ticketed event – extra charge): Teens can join in with expert-led workshops (MiCLab stands for Made in Coventry Lab). Learn, make, play and socialise.

The museum is also open daily if you just want to visit and have a look around. For full details and to book, head to the Transport Museum website. 

Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust

Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust have a summer holiday event with a very cute name – Little Skippers. Their craft events take place on various dates during the holidays. Children can have a go at fishing, help to fill the aquarium wall and head to the craft room to make a mythical creature of the sea. There’s also a children’s trail and a play park. They suggest adding a 45 minute boat trip to a Little Skippers experience. For full information and to book, head to the Canal and Tunnel Trust website.

Herbert Art Gallery and Museum West Midlands Summer Holidays 2023

It’s all about Street Art at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum this summer. Daily activities are based on the creative walls of the area. Each week has a different theme from styles of street art to Coventry scenes, chalk creations, street sculptures, patterns, prints, positive statements and bold outlines. This costs just £2.50 per child and you pay on the door.

11 to 16 year olds can take their art one step further with street art masterclasses. These take place on specific dates, cost £10 per person and need to be booked in advance. Each one is led by a different, well-respected artist and some are already sold out so book soon if your child would like to take part.

Head to the Museum website to find out more about both events. Don’t forget to book a ticket in advance to visit Dippy in Coventry while you are at the museum. 

Legoland Discovery Centre

There doesn’t seem to be a specific event happening at the Legoland Discovery Centre for West Midlands summer holidays 2023. However, visitors booking a standard play session can enjoy the ultimate indoor lego experience. Create a masterpiece at a build station, check out the mini Midlands, have fun in soft play and take advantage of the 4D cinema and two rides. If you decide to visit the National Sea Life Centre as well, you can buy a combined ticket online to save money. Full details are on the Discovery Centre website. There is a note on the Discovery Centre website at the moment saying that pre-booking online is essential.

National Sea Life Centre

Embark on a pirate treasure hunt at the National Sea Life Centre this Summer holiday, from 8th July to 4th September 2023. Visitors will be able to meet a pirate and there are prizes at the end. Children can create a picture at the colouring station and learn about all the amazing animals and fish as they hunt for treasure. Full details are on the National Sea Life Centre website and you can also read my review of a previous pirate event at the National Sea Life Centre.

Clownfish at the National Sea Life Centre

Sandwell Valley Country Park West Midlands Summer Holidays 2023

No specific event takes place for West Midlands summer holidays 2023 at Sandwell Valley. However, this is always a good option for a budget-friendly day out and they do have a few one-off events that get listed on their Facebook page. Enjoy this outdoor space with great bird watching, and a Green Flag award-winning park. A traditional farmyard, walled kitchen gardens, a small museum, and award-winning tea rooms are all part of the fully restored working Victorian farm. Additionally, Forge Mill Farm has a farm store, a small animal area, a farm trail, and a playground for kids. There’s even an aerial assault course if you’re feeling adventurous. Football fields, crazy golf, tennis courts and pitch-and-put are also available for visitors. Sandwell Borough Council have further details.

Selly Manor

LEGO fans are in for a treat at Selly Manor during the West Midlands summer holidays 2023. From 15th to 30th August, help to build a miniature Bournville by adding your LEGO model to the village. The creation station will inspire you to build your dream house. Take on a building challenge and see what mischief the mini-figures are up to in the museum. This is suitable for all ages, with Duplo available for younger visitors. Full details of this and other events are on the Selly Manor website

The Wave

The Wave is one of the UK’s largest and newest indoor waterparks, located in Coventry city centre. Whilst it doesn’t have a specific event taking place during the summer holidays, it’s always worth a visit. It features six epic slides, a large splash pad, the Wave Pool, Mana Spa, a 120 station gym, a 25m swimming pool, a class studio and squash courts. If you’re heading there for a day out during half term, look out for the Torrent with its disappearing floor, the cascade with its exciting plunge pool and a roller coaster ride on the rapids. Little ones will enjoy the splash pad and if you’d rather chill out, the lazy river is for you. Further details and booking information are on the Wave website. 

Think Tank Museum West Midlands Summer Holidays 2023

There are quite a few things going on at Thinktank during the school summer holidays. Some are ongoing exhibitions, while others are specifically for the holidays. Look out for the following when you visit:

  • Makers and machines: 22nd July 2023 to 24th August 2024. Learn about local coders and find out the history of coding.
  • Science of Sound Object Handling: Every weekday morning from 24th July to 1st September. Try out some musical instruments and learn about their history and what makes them work.
  • Summer of Sound Show: Weekdays from 24th July to 1st September. Learn about the science of sound and what makes certain noises so loud.
  • Safe and sound: Every weekday from 24th July to 1st September. Find out how a sound can be produced and heard by taking part in an interactive activity.

For further information about these and other events and to book, head to the Think Tank website.

West Midlands family days out Summer Holidays 2023 | If you live in the West Midlands or surrounding area, these family days out will keep children and parents alike entertained during the 2023 school Summer holidays. #familyfun #WestMidlands #familydaysout #uktravel #summerholidays #schoolholidays

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