The summer holidays have officially begun. The ongoing cost-of-living crisis can make it harder to ensure an outing with kids during the summer. The list of free activities below all taken place in Birmingham. They can help Brummies keep kids entertained and ensure that valuable memories are made, without any money being spent.
Here’s a list of the top 5 free summer activities:
- Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery – They have recently announced on their website the museum will be open every day from 10am-5:00pm owing to the summer holidays. Located at Chamberlain Square, B3 3DH, this museum has an array of open spaces with a range of different displays to see. This includes many highlights such as The Pre-Raphaelites that features over 60 paintings, sculptures and stained-glass panels, The Staffordshire Hoard that contains the largest group of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found, and the Industrial Gallery that contains the history of Birmingham manufacturing such as Cadbury’s chocolate, buttons, bicycles, and industrial metalwork. Alongside these different displays, there will also be events that are geared towards keeping kids entertained during the summer holidays. More information into their displays and events can be found on their website. https://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/birmingham-museum-and-art-gallery/highlights
- The Family-Friendly Free Snoopy Trail in the City Centre – This features 12 sculptures of Charles M Schulz’s popular animated character, Snoopy. People can find 12 different sculptures of Snoopy lying on various brightly coloured doghouses that are designed by local artists across the city centre. The Central BID Birmingham has funded and designed the Snoopy Trail in Birmingham. This trail will also raise money for Midlands Acorns Children’s hospice. For more information, you can check out their website: https://www.centralbid.co.uk/events/snoopy-in-birmingham-family-trail-download-map-here/
- NEC Lakeside Birmingham –This is a brand-new outdoor space that is designed for families to enjoy throughout the summer holiday. Visitors can enjoy free outdoor cinema, children’s play area, family activity trail, garden games, picnic seatings, street foods and refreshments and a gorgeous lake side view. Open daily from 9:30 am till the end of August, the only thing you need to bring are picnic blankets, food and allow your kids to be entertained through the outdoor areas and films that are played for free from July till August. For more information, please visit: https://www.thenec.co.uk/news-and-press/nec-lakeside-birmingham-free-outdoor-cinema-play-area-and-family-fun-this-summer/
- Birmingham Weekender – This will be located at the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre, Hurst Street, Southside, B5 4TB. Falling on the August bank holiday weekend from Saturday 29th August till Monday 31st August 2026. This event is brought by the Bullring and HSBC UK and produced by Birmingham Hippodrome. This event includes free performances, is colourful and bright. With the music, performances and the vibe this produces, I’m sure this will create an experience that is one to remember for friends, family and kids. For information and to see what this event will look like, please visit: https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/birmingham-weekender-2026/
