With the current economic climate being what it is the ‘staycation’ is becoming ever more popular with families in the UK, and there is no reason why it shouldn’t  Britain is has some of Europe’s most beautiful cities, beaches and countryside, not to mention hundreds of top class family attractions spread throughout the country.
- Birmingham Miroslav Petrasko (blog.hdrshooter.net) / Water Photos / CC BY-NC-ND
When trying to think of a destination for a long weekend away with the family, Birmingham may not be the first place that springs to mind, but you might be surprised: one of the most populous cities outside of London, The Brum has a host of great attractions to keep the kids entertained and, who knows, maybe you’ll learn a thing two as well. So let’s look at what you can get up to if you base yourself in a hotel in Birmingham city centre.
- The Think Tank in Birmingham is one of the country’s best science museums, split into four sections: Discover the Past, Investigating the Present, Find the Future and Collections, giving its visitors an interactive and well-rounded experience of the world of science. A further highlight at the Think Tank is the digital planetarium, a 10m wide digital full dome theatre that will show you space like you’ve never seen it before. Sit among the stars and learn about the history of the universe, or watch one of the various other full dome productions, including a visual show set to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon (perhaps that’s one for the parents though!)
- Another great family attraction in Birmingham is the Sea Life Centre, with over 1000 species of aquatic life and more than 60 displays, including a one million litre tropical tank, ‘Nemo’s Kingdom’, you’ll find everything from sharks to starfish and otters to octopus. There are also regular feeding sessions and plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal with the inhabitants of centre.
- Go Ape is another excellent day out for anyone with an adventurous streak and located just north of Birmingham Go Ape at Cannock Chase is no exception. As well as the now famous Go Ape tree top safari’s, which see you walking through the forest canopy using zip wires and Tarzan swings, Go Ape Cannock also offers Segway safaris and has some lovely walking and cycling trails with bike hire available on site.
- If you’re looking for a bit more culture, then why not try Birmingham City Museum and Art Gallery, a part of one of the country’s biggest museum trusts (which includes the Think Tanks) they have recently opened a new exhibition entitled ‘Birmingham, it’s History, it’s People’ that provides a great insight into the city’s global heritage, from medieval times through the industrial revolution, two world wars and right into the technology age.
- Twycross zoo has been a family attraction in the West Midlands for nearly half a century and it’s still delighting little kids and big kids alike. Twycross has almost 1000 animals from over 200 species in its care and is open 364 days a year from 10.00am. Some of its top attractions include the South American Tropical house, with simulated thunder lightening and tropical rainfall and the Borneo Longhouse, filled with exotic bird and animal exhibits.  Another firm favourite is the Sri Lankan themed Elephant Walkway which gives visitors a great view of the Zoo’s elephant herd.
- Are your kids budding Actors or News Readers? Or do they dream of one day forecasting heavy snow and school closures to the land? Well, BBC Birmingham Public Space could be just the ticket. Watch live as BBC radio and local television broadcasts pulled together and then let the kids try it for themselves as they stand before camera in the public space and read the autocue aloud. The experience is then available to re-live online when you get home.
 Have you taken a family trip to the Birmingham area? What were your favourite things to do?
