Shropshire Star

Top children's attractions in the Midlands and Shropshire

Whether looking for something to do in half term, the summer holidays or just for a weekend trip - there's plenty to do to keep the whole family entertained in the Midlands and Shropshire.

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Cadbury World

If you're a big kid yourself or looking to entertain the kids, here is our list of the top children's attractions in the local area:

Cadbury World - Bourneville, Birmingham

Cadbury World

A fun day trip with a chocolate twist - discover the world of Cadbury at Birmingham's Cadbury World.

Cadbury World currently features 14 zones which tell the story of chocolate and the Cadbury business through various sets, animatronics, video presentations, multi-sensory cinema, interactive displays, activities and staff demonstrations.

The zones include the 4D Chocolate Adventure, Manufacturing, Bull Street, Cadabra, Purple Planet, Making Chocolate Story, Aztec Jungle, Cadbury Story, Packaging, Advertising Avenue, Bourneville Experience, Chocolate Making, Journey to Europe, African Adventure Play Area, Cadbury Cafe, Green Screen and the World's Biggest Cadbury Shop.

For more information, click here

Sandwell Valley Country Park - West Bromwich

Sandwell Valley

Whether you love long walks, birdwatching, sports or just being in the great outdoors - there's something for everyone at Sandwell Valley.

Sandwell Park Farm is a fully restored working Victorian farm complete with animals, gardens, a small museum and an award winning tea room to relax in.

Forge Mill Farm acts as the visitor centre and is the centre of the park - perfect for nature watching.

Sandwell Valley also includes a large park for children as well as a high ropes aerial adventure course with a playground, climbing nets, suspension bridge and a high-speed zip wire.

For more information, click here

Dudley Zoological Gardens

Dudley Zoo

For 80 years Dudley Zoo has entertained families with it's wide array of much-loved animals.

Dudley Zoo is home to more than 1300 animals, and has around 200 different species including some of the rarest creatures on the planet.

The zoo boasts daily talks and feeding demonstrations as well as a range of interactive exhibits such as their lemur and wallaby walkthroughs.

You can also treat the children to an authentic zoo keeper experience with their experience packages - with the opportunity to feed the sea lions, chimps, big cats, giraffes, penguins and more.

For more information, click here

Black Country Living Museum - Dudley

Black Country Museum

Travel back in time with the kids at the Black Country Living Museum, and discover the world of industry.

Over fifty authentic shops, houses and workshops have been carefully reconstructed to preserve the character of the region when its manufacturers brought worldwide fame to Black Country Towns.

Take a trip on the tram to explore the canalside village, where you can meet and chat to the costumed characters. Explore the underground mine and experience the authentic sights, sounds, smells and tastes from the past with a cast of staff in replica attire.

For more information, click here

Ironbridge Gorge Museums - Coalbrookdale

Ironbridge

Whether you are interested in fine china, decorative tiles or exploring a recreated Victorian Town, you’ll find it all in this World Heritage Site.

Experience life as it was over 100 years ago at Blists Hill Victorian Town, test your reactions against a robot and pull a locomotive by hand at Enginuity, and discover the history and techniques of china making at the famouse Coalport China Factory.

You can also walk upon magnificent tiles at Jackfield Tile Museum, visit Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, discover the history of Ironbridge Gorge at the Museum of The Gorge, step inside the house of Coalbrookdale's former Quaker ironmasters at Darby Houses, explore the Tar Tunnel and the Broseley Pipeworks, and finally step onto the Iron Bridge itself and follow in the footsteps of millions of tourists.

For more information, click here

Go Ape - Cannock Chase

Enjoy an adrenaline-fuelled day with all the family at Cannock Chase's Go Ape

From thre tree tops to the forest floors you can enjoy an array of adventures - from forst segway experiences to zip line trekking.

Experiences are tailored to different age ranges and abilities, so all of the family can join in.

For more information, click here

Air Space - Wolverhampton

A huge spring-loaded urban playground awaits you at Wolverhampton's Air Space.

Air Space is over 100 interconnected trampolines. You can improvise your own moves in the main arena, freestyle jump from one trampoline to the next. Join in with team sports as you’ve never experienced them before: dodgeball, basketball and football – all on super-sprung pitches.

Unique to Wolverhampton, Air Space have a Ninja Run course and a Parkour area for more experienced bouncers.

For more information, click here

WILD Zoological Park - Wolverhampton

WILD Zoological Park

Travel the world and discover it's curious inhabitants without leaving Wolverhampton at WILD Zoological Park.

Walk through the dark and mysterious cargo hold where dangerous reptiles lurk, meet celebrity bear cat baloo in Wild Asia, share a laugh with the kookaburrahs in Wild Australia, roam with the animals in an authentic rainforest and visit the friendly meerkats in Wild Africa.

WILD host interactive shows throughout the day where you can get up-close and personal with some of their weirdest and wildest animals on Earth, all for free.

For more information, click here

Brockswood Animal Sanctuary - Sedgley

Brockswood Animal Sanctuary

A hidden gem in Sedgley, Brockswood Animal Sanctuary is home to dozens of rescued animals.

All of the animals at Brockswood are rescued and can vary depending on what has been taken it, but they always have a large number of rescued sheep, ponies, pigs, birds of prey, poultry, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets and farm favourites, Toby the red fox and Missy the raccoon.

Experienced staff are always on hand to answer all of your queries and also offer chances for you to handle the animals.

For more information, click here

Baggeridge Country Park - Staffordshire

Baggeridge

Whether you're looking for a quiet walk and wildlife or to enjoy the thrill of the park - Baggeridge Country Park is perfect.

Formerly the Baggeridge Colliery and part of the original Himley Estate of the Earls of Dudley, the site has been transformed into 150 acres of attractive country park with woodland walks, an extensive play area for the children and a cafe filled with refreshments.

Their is also a high ropes adventure course, horse riding trails, a miniature railway and a mountain bike trail for all to enjoy.

For more information, click here

Wolf Mountain Climbing Centre - Wolverhampton

Wolf Mountain

Enjoy various adventurous activities in the middle of the city at Wolverhampton's Wolf Mountain.

Try to climb to the top of various indoor climbing walls and abseil all the way back down, guided by experienced climbers and with all gear provided.

You can also try your hand at archery, bouldering and indoor caving in this extensive centre.

Outdoor activities are also available as well as disability sports.

For more information, click here

Hoo Farm - Telford

Hoo Farm

Filled with regular events and family-favourite animals, Hoo Farm is perfect for a wild day out.

Discover the coati in the Shropshire Savannah, stroll through Wallaby Woods, delve through Rivers and Rainforests full of snakes and lizards, settle down in Parrotphernalia, go on an African adventure and learn more about bizarre British wildlife.

If that isn't enough, you can also enjoy the thrill of one of Hoo Farm's sheep races or relax in their own tea room.

For more information, click here

West Midlands Safari Park - Bewdley

Take your family on a worldwide safari - without even leaving the West Midlands.

West Midlands Safari Park is home to some of the world's most beautiful and endangered exotic animal species that you can discover through their extensive drive-through zones, intricate enclosures or in informative talks.

With zebras, southern white rhinos, deer, lions, African painted dogs, elephants and more - you can enjoy some of the most beautiful animals nature has to offer, before even embarking on one of their discovery trails or stepping foot in the African village, lorikeet landing, land of the living dinosaurs or the adventure theme park.

For more information, click here

Thinktank - Birmingham Science Museum

Thinktank

Thinktank is an award-winning science museum for fun-packed family days out.

Fun and informative, talk a walk through the Spitfire Gallery, explore marine worlds, take a look through various scientific collections from industry to natural sciences, and have your mind blown by the planetarium.

Relax in the science garden with their hands-on exhibitions, discover the past of industrial heritage, learn how your own body works and those of every other living being and discover the world of tomorrow and the outer reaches of space.

For more information, click here

Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle

Experience one thousand years of jaw-dropping history at Warwick Castle.

There's a variety of attractions right in the castle and it's grounds - in the castle, you can explore the battlements, towers, turrets, interiors and the great hall.

Inside the castle dungeon you can witness some of the darkest, bloodiest and most frightening times in the Castle’s history.

Other daily shows and activities include their archery and birds of prey displays, time tower and famous mighty trebuchet display.

For more information, click here

Hawkstone Park Follies - Shrewsbury

Hawkstone Park Follies

Immerse yourself in a woodland fantasy at Hawkstone Park Follies.

Discover cliffs, crags, caves, deep woods and a series of extraordinary monuments built over 200 years ago through walking routes and secret paths.

For more information, click here

Trentham Monkey Forest

Walk among over 140 free-roaming monkeys in Trentham's very own Monkey Forest.

As well as multiple information boards along the woodland walk, guides are situated throughout the forest to help answer any questions you may have during your trip as well as hosting various talks throughout the day.

As well as this, there is also chance to relax in the Banana Cafe as well as a large adventure playground.

For more information, click here

National SEALIFE Centre - Birmingham

With over 60 displays of freshwater and marine life all in the centre of Birmingham, take the family on an underwater voyage at the National SEALIFE centre.

Look through the brand new octopus hideout, walk through the breath-taking shark tunnel, hang out with ethereal jellyfish, watch the penguins swim and watch otterly amazing otters in their very own otter sanctuary.

Talks and interactive activities happen throughout the day including sensory pools, interactive quizzes and more.

For more information, click here

Alton Towers

Alton Towers

Escape to Alton Towers Theme Park & Resort, perfect for thrill-seekers and families, with amazing themed hotels, water park and Spa.

Home to Nemesis, Oblivion, Congo River Rapids, Runaway Mine Train, Hex - The Legend of the Towers, Thirteen, The Smiler, and Galactica there are plenty of heart-racing rides for thrill seekers of all ages in different themed zones.

New to Alton towers is the brand new Cbeebies hotel, joining the existing accommodation in the Enchanted Forest.

For more information, click here

Stratford Butterfly Farm

Stratford Butterfly Farm

Discover beautiful butterfly's and curious caterpillars from across the world at Stratford Butterfly Farm.

Discover the link that Stratford Butterfly Farm has to the Rainforests of Belize and the ancient Maya civilisation whose artefacts have been replicated and are now on display in the Flight Area.

In the Discovery Zone find out about the plants we grow at the butterfly farm and see some of the world's largest and most camouflaged caterpillars on show with cocoons, giant silk moths and shining pupae hanging on the plants. See the amazing life cycle of a butterfly within our Emerging Cage where you will find butterflies hatching from their chrysalis.

Observe the fascinating and strange in Mini-Beast Metropolis where stick insects, beetles, leafcutter ants, some of the worlds largest tarantula spiders are to be found.

For more information, click here

Rays Farm - Bridgnorth

Rays Farm

Spend a day enjoying the farm and the finest of Shropshire's countryside at Rays Farm.

From Guinea Pigs to Reindeer, chickens to Owls, and not forgetting the Pygmy goat paddock where you can stroll amongst our friendly goats - people of all ages will love Rays farm.

Alongside the farm animals of Rays Farm, there are also two woodland walks, Mythical Woods and Fairytale Forest as well as an outdoor play area and the Country Cafe.

For more information, click here

Wonderland - Telford

Wonderland

Fairytale characters enchant kids year round with diamond mines and a hedge maze are among the fun to be had at Wonderland.

Meet traditional characters and mascots throughout the park, enjoy unlimited use of the rides, find your way in the Wonderland Maze, walk through Dinosaur Valley, play crazy golf on The Jolly Roger and visit the Winter Wonderland Christmas Village, open all year round.

For more information, click here

Battlefield Falconry Centre - Shrewsbury

Battlefield Falconry Centre

View various birds of prey and watch them soar the skys at Shrewsbury's Battlefield Falconry Centre.

There are over 30 different birds of prey to see including some wonderful species of owls, falcons and hawks. Recently a Steppe Eagle and a Great Grey Owl have been added which are fabulous to see.

Battlefield Falconry Centre offers a range of activities with the number one being Hawks on Walks where a customer participates by walking through woodland on the Albrighton Estate at Battlefield accompanied with a falconer and a Harris Hawk which flies to the glove throughout the walk.

For more information, click here