Summer holiday fun in the West Midlands

Summer holiday fun in Coventry and the West Midlands

As the summer holidays officially kick off, we have put together a list of a whole host of activities going on around Coventry and the West Midlands. You can plan your Summer holiday schedule perfectly, without having to spend a fortune everyday to keep the kids happy.

Activities 

Dippy in Coventry

Meet the nation's favourite dinosaur Dippy, at Herbert Art Gallery this half term. Dippy is a 26 metre-long dinosaur that lived 155-145 million years ago. For over 100 years, Dippy has been delighting visitors of all ages at the Natural History Museum in London and now Dippy resides in Coventry offering locals the chance to see a life size dinosaur on their doorstep. Best of all, it's free! For more information visit the Dippy in Coventry website.

Superhero summer at Resorts World

Grab your capes, masks and costumes and get ready for some superhero summer fun at Resorts World!

Pose with hero

31st July – 6th August

Marvel over your favourite superheroes like Captain Marvel, The Hulk, Wonder Woman and Batman taking pictures you can keep forever.

Augmented reality superhero quest

31st July - 13th August

An augmented reality superhero hunt around Resorts World, searching for the markers dotted around the building on windows and scan.

Meet your heroes

5th - 6th August

Spiderman will be visiting Resorts World on the 5th and Iron Man will be stopping by on the 6th. If you want to meet them in the flesh you know where you need to go.

Superhero school

7th - 8th August

The popular House of MASH team will be back at Resorts World with 'Superhero Sam' who will teach your mini superheroes everything they need to know.

For more information visit the Resorts World website.

Costa del Solihull in Touchwood

22nd July - 2nd September. Monday - Saturday 9.30am - 6.00pm and Sunday 11am - 5pm

A mer-tastic beach hits Solihull for the summer holidays. So take a trip to Costa Del Solihull with your bucket and spade to enjoy some fun in the sun, maybe even meet some sea creatures while you're there.

Digbeth Funfair and Beach

Smithfield Festival Site on Pershore Street, 14th July until 29th August.

Birmingham's very own beach is back for the summer, so you don't have to travel far to get your seaside fix. Enjoy the sandy beach and a selection of water slides and activities, alongside classic fairground rides and plenty more fun for the entire family.

Pirate Treasure Hunt at the National Sea Life Centre Birmingham

Embark on a treasure hunt through the aquarium, you may even get some treasure at the end! Meet a real pirate and pose for a fin-tastic photo!

You will get to see all the classics of the Sea Life Centre including sharks, green sea turtles, sea otters, penguins, clownfish and much more! You have to sea it to believe it…

For more information visit the National Sea Life Centre website. Also enjoy 30% off admission at the National Sea Life Centre when you travel by bus.

Black Country Living Museum 

New 1940s to 1960s street at the Black Country Living Museum

Enter the brand new street, set in the 1940s-1960s, telling the story of social, cultural, commercial and industrial life in the Black Country during this period. 

Summer Lates

Every Friday through the summer

Enjoy the Museum as the sun sets with Summer Tunes, eat and drink and enjoy everything the Black Country Living Museum has to offer.

Young archaeologists and curators club

Learn about history hands on, digging deep into the past of the Black Country.

For more information visit the Black Country Living Museum website. Also enjoy 25% off admission at the Black Country Living Museum when you travel by bus.

Bear Grylls Adventure

Push yourself to the limit and achieve the unexpected. From high ropes, indoor climbing, the iFly wind tunnel even snorkelling with sharks. The Bear Grylls Adventure indoor and outdoor activity centre is your chance to try something new.

For more information visit the Bear Grylls website. Also enjoy 30% off the High Ropes at Bear Grylls Adventure when you travel by bus.

Lego Dreamzzz at Legoland Discovery Centre

LEGO® DREAMZzz™ is at LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre for the summer with the new and exclusive 4D Movie ‘Z-Blob Rescue Rush’. A bunch of ordinary school children transform into five brave heroes. Let your imagination run wild as you embark on a dream adventure.

For more information visit the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre website. Also enjoy 30% off admission at LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre when you travel by bus.

Sandwell Big Movie Weekend

Sandwell Valley Showground, 19th - 20th August. Tickets start from £5.50

Two evening performances and a family matinee of some of our best loved films with sing along fun and food. 

For more information visit ticket source website.

Club Paradiso at Birmingham Bullring and Grand Central

The Ibiza-themed bar, which is located on St Martin’s Walk balcony is Birmingham's Summer bar. Enjoy cocktails, beers, soft drinks and ice creams in the sunshine.

Selfridges Kids Summer Party

Kids Toyshop level 1 in Selfridges, 29th July. Tickets cost £10 per person

To celebrate the start of the summer holiday, Selfridges is hosting a party to celebrate with sweet treats, visits from characters and fun for the whole family to enjoy.

Merry Hill Shopping Centre

Play United

Monday 7th August – Friday 18th August, 11am – 3pm - weekdays only.

With the help of The Albion Foundation and Active Black Country, Merry Hill is hosting a free  sporting event, with inflatable sports challenges, seated volleyball, blindfolded football, ping pong tables and much more.

For more information on activities visit the Merry Hill website.

Waterfront Dining Club

Friday 8th September, 5pm - 10pm

Tickle your tastebuds at the Waterfront dining club from some of the best food and drinks vendors in the midlands.

 

Birmingham Museums

Thinktank

Science of Sound Object Handling

Weekdays from 24 July - 1 September, drop in sessions

Summer of Sound Show

Weekdays from 24 July - 1 September, drop in sessions

Makers and Machines

From 22 July - 28 April 2024, included in admission prices

Enjoy 50% off admission at Thinktank when you travel by bus.

 

Blakesley Hall

Pop Up Planetarium

Sat 29 July and Thu 17 August, Adult £3/Child £5/Under 3 Free

Pirate Day

Thu 27 July, £4 per person

Parks

Take a wander through your local park, take in the fresh air, maybe even take a picnic when the sun is shining.

Sheldon Country Park

Cannon Hill Park

Sandwell Valley Country Park

Brueton Park

Shirley Park

Moseley Park

Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park

Meriden Park

 

Libraries 

Don't forget to visit your local library to see what summer fun they have going on. We have listed a few below.

Curious about Birmingham 

St Philips Cathedral, every day 10am - 4pm. Cost, £7.49

Have fun exploring all the hidden gems of Birmingham, a city treasure hunt that you’ve never experienced before.

Windrush Stories

Inspire you centre, Wolverhampton. 22nd June until 31st August 2023. Cost, free.

Videographer Luke Dell has put together a selection of films telling the Windrush stories.

The adventures of Hercules and Atlanta

Penn Library - Thursday 27th July, 11am

Tettenhall Library - Thursday 27th July, 2pm

Wednesfield Library - Monday 31st July, 12.30pm

Whitmore Reans- Monday 31st July, 3pm

Hercules was one of the most famous heroes in Greece. To prove his strength he was given 12 tasks to perform – but did he complete them? Have you heard about the Greek heroine Atalanta? Her name means ‘equal in weight’ and she was a match for any male warrior! Join Professor Black for stories, games, crafts, and activities to find out more!

The Core Library

Ready, Set, Read, 27th July at 11am (5-11 year olds.)

Make a board game workshop, 2nd August at 10.30am (5-7 year olds)

Sporty storytime and craft activities, 16th August at 10.30am (3-5 year olds)

Journey to the Knights Throne, 17th August at 11am (5-7 year olds)

Sports quiz and games, 22nd August at 10.30am (7 plus years)

Rhythm and Rhyme, 23rd August at 10.15am (under 5s)

 

Kingshurst Library

Super sports fun, 15th August at 2.15pm (4-11 year olds)

 

Marston Green Library

Sporty craft session, 14th August at 2pm (4-7 year olds)

Board game hour, 24th August at 2pm (4-9 year olds)

 

Chelmsley Wood Library

Summer fun craft drop in, 1st August during opening hours (2-9 year olds)

Rhythm and Rhyme, 2nd August at 10.15am (under 5s)

Make your own bug drop in, 15h August during opening hours (2-9 year olds)

 

Shirley Library

Play a game of hoops, 27th July at 2.30pm (6-10 year olds)

Make a counting mice game, 31st July at 11am (3-5 year olds)

Rhythm and Rhyme, 9th August at 10.15am (under 5s)

Bucket Balloon, 18th August at 2.30pm (7-10 year olds)

 

Dudley Libraries

Summer Reading challenges, find out more on the Dudley Library website to find your local libraries sign up.

 

Theatres and shows

The Tiger who came to tea

Birmingham Town Hall, 22nd - 26th August. Prices from £15

For more information visit the B Music website.

Blueys Big Play

Wolverhampton Grand, 27th- 28th July. Prices from £15.75

For more information visit the Wolverhampton Grand website.

Zog 

Belgrade Theatre Coventry, 26th - 30th July. Prices from £17 

For more information visit the Belgrade Theatre website.

Hey Dugee

Belgrade Theatre Coventry, 3rd- 6th August. Prices from £15

For more information visit the Belgrade Theatre website.

Horrible Histories, Barmy Britain

Midlands Art Centre, 12th - 13th August.  Prices from £12.50

For more information visit the Midlands Art Centre website.

The Lion King 

Birmingham Hippodrome, 6th July - 16th September. 

For more information visit Birmingham's Hippodromes website.

The Friends Experience

NEC Birmingham, from 8th July.

For more information visit the Friends Experience website.

Grease Secret Cinema

NEC Birmingham, 26th July - 13th August

For more information visit the Secret Cinema website.

20% off Secret Cinema's Grease: The Live Experience at the NEC

Festivals

Does summer mean music and food festivals to you, well we have an entire blog with a list of all the festival action taking place around the west midlands this summer. 

Food

Discover everywhere that is doing offers on meals for kids during the summer holidays.

Asda - Kids eat for £1 all day, everyday with no adult spend necessary.

Tesco - Kids eat free with a purchase of 60p from Monday 24th July - Friday 1st September 2023

Sainsburys - Kids eat for £1 with the purchase of every adult hot main from 11.30am every day.

Beefeaters and Brewers Fayre - Two children under 16 can get a free breakfast every day with one paying adult.

The Real Greek - Kids under 12 eat free every sunday for every £10 spent by an adult.

Table Table - Two children under 16 can get a free breakfast every day with one paying adult.

Travelodge - Buy 1 adult breakfast from just £8.99 and up to two kids eat breakfast for free.

Hungry Horse - Kids eat for £1 on Mondays and up to 2 kids get breakfast for free.

Premier Inn - Buy 1 adult breakfast from just £8.99 and up to two kids eat breakfast for free.

Sizzling Pubs - Every Monday to Friday 3-7pm kids mains are £1 with every adult meal.

Ikea - Kids get a meal from 95p daily from 11am.

Morrisons - Spend £4.49 and get one free kids meal all day, every day.

Gordon Ramsey Restaurants - Kids under 8 eat free all day, every day at selected restaurants.

Preto - Kids up to the age of 10 eat free all day, every day with paying adults during school holidays.

Yo Sushi - From Monday 17th July until Friday 11th August 2023, kids eat free with every £10 adult spend.

Bills - 2 kids eat free all day, every day from Monday 24th July - Friday 1st September 2023.

Bella Italia - Children eat for £1 with any adult main, the offer is valid 4-6pm Monday to Thursday.

Whitbread Inns - Two kids under 16 eat free with every adult breakfast purchased.

SA Brains Pubs - Children can eat for £1 with any adult main, valid all day Wednesdays.

Future Inns - Under 12’s eat for free with any adult meal, during the school holidays.

Pausa cafe at Dunelm - Kids get 1 mini main, 2 snacks and a drink free with every £4 spend after 3pm.

Rediscover the West Midlands and take advantage of these great attraction offers when you travel by bus.

30% off admission at LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre

30% off admission at the National Sea Life Centre

25% off admission at the Black Country Living Museum

Get 50% off admission at Thinktank

30% off admission at The Pen Museum

30% off Theatre Tours at The Old Rep Theatre

20% off admission at the Botanical Gardens, Birmingham

20% off Secret Cinema's Grease: The Live Experience at the NEC

30% off the High Ropes at Bear Grylls Adventure

25% off admission to Stourbridge Glass Museum