Planning a short family break in Birmingham during the school holidays? Here’s our tried-and-tested 2-day itinerary with kids aged 4 and 7, including Cadbury World, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, and Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum. We live about 2 hours from Birmingham, so this itinerary works perfectly for a weekend or short break.
Day 1: Cadbury World & City Centre Check-In
Morning Drive:
We set off around 9:00 am for Birmingham, planning to arrive at Cadbury World for our 11:30 slot. We booked the slot in advance to allow for traffic, and although we were slightly delayed, it didn’t seem to be a problem.
Cadbury World Visit:
On this visit we spent about 4 hours at Cadbury World, exploring the interactive zones, chocolate-making demonstrations, and tastings.
On previous trips we’ve stayed a little less time, especially when the big outdoor playpark is closed due to rain.
Free onsite parking is available, which makes arriving by car very convenient for families.
Read our full Cadbury World review here for more tips and what to expect.
Lunch:
Cadbury World has an on-site café, but you could also bring snacks to keep kids happy.
Hotel Check-In:
After Cadbury World, we headed to Premier Inn New Street Station (we’ve also stayed at Premier Inn Birmingham City Bridge Street, which is equally good). Each time we book two interconnecting rooms, which works brilliantly for families with younger children.
Evening:
For dinner, we visited a local Wetherspoons, which is perfect for picky kids and offers affordable family-friendly meals.
Day 2: LEGOLAND Discovery Centre & Thinktank
Morning at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre:
We booked an early slot at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, so we enjoyed the hotel’s cooked breakfast beforehand (kids eat free).
From Premier Inn New Street Station, it’s just under a 20-minute walk to LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Birmingham.
LEGOLAND Discovery Centre is an indoor LEGO-themed attraction with soft play zones, interactive rides, and creative build areas. It’s great for younger kids and perfect for school holidays.
Read our full LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Birmingham review here for tips and what to expect.
Optional SEA LIFE Visit:
SEA LIFE Birmingham is right next door, making it easy to visit immediately after LEGOLAND. We skipped it on this trip since we had recently been to SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth, but it’s a convenient option if your kids love marine life.
Afternoon at Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum:
After LEGO fun, we visited Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum, which is full of hands-on exhibits for children of all ages. Highlights include the science garden, planetarium shows, and interactive experiments that keep curious minds engaged.
It’s a great way to balance indoor play with educational fun, and perfect for school holiday crowds as it’s large and spacious.
Late Afternoon / Evening:
We decided to drive home the same evening, rather than staying an extra night. This worked well, giving us a full two days of fun while avoiding additional hotel costs.
Tips for a Smooth 2-Day Birmingham Trip with Kids
- Book attraction tickets online in advance to secure slots and save money, especially during school holidays.
- Multi-attraction tickets: You can combine LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, SEA LIFE Birmingham, and Cadbury World in one ticket. This usually works out cheaper than buying individually. Book your tickets through the official Merlin website here: Merlin Entertainments – Birmingham Tickets.
- Train travel: If you’re coming by train, check for discounted multi-attraction tickets that sometimes include travel. This can work out cheaper than driving, especially for families.
- Arrive early at popular attractions to avoid queues.
- Hotel choice: Premier Inn New Street Station or City Bridge Street are ideal for families, especially with interconnecting rooms.
- Dining with picky kids: Wetherspoons offers good value and familiar menu options.
- Getting around: Walking works for city-centre locations, but trams are also fun for kids and convenient.
