Things to do West Midlands May half term 2024

With May half term 2024 rapidly approaching, it’s time for a list of things to do in the West Midlands. Lots of attractions have events taking place this year and others are reopening for the summer. From family trails to fun days, there’s lots to see and do around the West Midlands. If your dog would like to join you for some half term fun, check out my post about dog friendly days out in the West Midlands.

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

• Herefordshire
• Shropshire
• Staffordshire
• Warwickshire
• Worcestershire

Bear Grylls Adventure

Whilst there is no specific half term 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

Website: Bear Grylls Adventure.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

It’s all a bit Jurassic Park at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens this May half term. The Jurassic Gardens event offers a unique opportunity to interact with dinosaurs up close. Visitors can meet a raptor, a brontosaurus, and even cuddly baby dinosaurs. They can also learn how to train a raptor and watch baby dinosaurs hatch and come to life. There’s themed arts and crafts on selected dates too, and a pre-historical plants trail can be purchased at the welcome desk.

Dates: 25th May to 2nd June 2024

Website: Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Black Country Living Museum

There is an extremely small write-up about May half term at the Black Country Living Museum in the West Midlands at present. The theme is Made in the Black Country. At the time of writing, it’s not yet possible to buy tickets or click through for more info but it’s worth heading over to the website to see if there is more information avaiable closer to the time.

Dates: 25th May to 2nd June 2024

Website: Black Country Living Museum

Review: Plutonium Sox review of the Black Country Living Museum.

Cadbury World

Details of the May half term event are not yet on the Cadbury World website at the time of writing. However, I have linked to their Whats On page below so you can check for updates. It does mention on there that Cadbury characters will be on hand to meet visitors.

Dates: Not yet listed

Website: Cadbury World

Review: Plutonium Sox review of a family day out at Cadbury World. 

Cannon Hill Park

Whilst no specific event takes place at Cannon Hill Park this May half term, 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  

It’s all about hands-on exploring at the Coventry Transport Museum for their half term workshop. Delve into the forces at play with various objects in the museum. The museum will loan you reference books, tools and safety gear to tinker with the objects. Then, you’ll make a project using their materials and afterwards, it’s time to play. Every child needs to be accompanied by a grown up for this workshop.

Dates: 25th to 30th May and 1st June 2024

Website: Coventry Transport Museum

Herbert Art Gallery and Museum

Explore Victorian Playthings this half term at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum. Inspired by the Collecting Coventry exhibition, make your own Victorian toys including hobby horses and spinning animations.

Dates: 25th and 27th to 31st May and 1st June 2024.

Website: Herbert Art Gallery and Museum

While you’re at the museum, don’t forget to pay a visit to Dippy the Diplodocus, their resident dinosaur who is currently there for a three-year holiday from his usual home at the Natural History Museum. Head to the Museum website to find out more about the craft event. You’ll need to book a ticket in advance to visit Dippy in Coventry. 

Legoland Discovery Centre

There doesn’t seem to be a specific event happening at the Legoland Discovery Centre for West Midlands May half term 2024. 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.

Website: Legoland Discovery Centre.

National Sea Life Centre

Visit the Seahorse Hotel at the Sea Life Centre this May half term. Visit their new seahorse exhibit and learn about this fascinating species. Enjoy an interactive trail with a reward at the end and some colouring activities en route.

Dates: 25th May to 30th June 2024

Website: National Sea Life Centre

Review: Plutonium Sox review of a family day out at the National Sea Life Centre.

Sandwell Valley Country Park

No specific event takes place for West Midlands May half term 2024 at Sandwell Valley. However, this is always a good option for a budget-friendly day out. Enjoy this outdoor space with great bird watching, bike trails and a Green Flag award-winning park.

A traditional farmyard, rabbit village, 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.

Website: Sandwell Borough Council

Selly Manor

Just as you run out of Easter eggs, Selly Manor are having a celebration of chocolate. Themed activities include trails, garden games and crafts.

Dates: 27th May to 2nd June 2024

Website: Selly Manor Museum

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 may half term, 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.

Website: The Wave

Think Tank Museum

Two events take place at the Think Tank Museum this half term. Families can drop into both during their visit, but do check times on the website because they only take place at select times during the day.

Marvellous Materials Family Show

An interative show with deomonstrations and audience participation. Learn about how solids, liquids and gases are structured and how they change when cooled or heated. See chemical reactions and learn the secret behind a popular magic trick.

Marvellous Materials

Learn about the properties of different materials. Use an invention kit to explore conductivity, investigate magnets with a fishing game and play a matching game to find out why materials are used for certain things.

Dates: 27th to 31st May 2024

Website: Think Tank