It’s raining. The kids are climbing the walls. And it’s only 8am.
Well, there are plenty of fun things to do in and around the city when the weather’s bad – and they don’t just involve museums and art galleries.
In fact you can be just as active in Birmingham when it’s raining as when the sun is shining.
So, why not all let off a bit of steam at a trampoline centre, climbing wall or scooter park?
And, you could always round off your day by heading to one of our favourite family-friendly restaurants or pubs.
Have fun, whatever the weather.
Bounce the blues away at a trampoline park
Ever watched with envy as your kids have fun on bouncy castles and trampolines at parties?
Now there’s a way for families to all bounce together!
Giant trampoline parks are springing up (see what we did there?) all over the Midlands as part of a new craze sweeping the nation.
And Europe’s biggest trampoline park Jump Nation is launching in Walsall on February 13, 2016.
The huge centre, based in Olron House in Bentley Mill Way, will boast a whopping 218 trampolines, connected together to form one huge jump arena.
In the meantime, try some of these …
What fun!
Peter Powell What to expect at Jump Nation
Try stunt scootering
Creation Skate Park in Balsall Heath is said to be the Midlands biggest extreme sports venue where you can do BMX, scooter, inline and skateboarding seven days a week.
And Unit3sixty Indoor Skatepark in Stourbridge boasts the biggest indoor bowl in the UK featuring the Death Star capsule which allows you to perform a full loop da loop … if you dare!
Skaters performing tricks on the ramps at the Kerrang Radio Skate Jam at Creation Skate Park, Moseley.
Goggles ready! Let’s hit the pool
There’s a wave machine, a 50-metre flume, interactive water features, baby pool and beach area at Cocks Moor Leisure Centre, Kings Heath.
And Stechford Cascades, in Station Road, features a series of pools with a slide, water falls and jets. It also has bubble seats and a spa.
Check out our guide to the best swimming pools in Birmingham.
Cocks Moor Leisure Centre, Kings Heath
Run away to the circus
Ever fancied joining the circus? Now you can with CircusMASH, which has a dedicated circus centre in Kings Heath.
Here, you can learn how to master the trapeze and aerial acrobatics as well as a spot of juggling too.
CircusMASH
Soft play sanctuaries
When it just won’t stop raining and you have little ones who really need a run around, a soft play centre can be the answer.
But which ones are the best in Birmingham and beyond?
We asked BrummyMummyof2 blogger Emma Conway, from Bearwood, for her favourite soft play centres in the region. Here’s what she came up with.
Scallywags soft play centre at The Fort in Birmingham
Climb to great heights
Whether you’re just starting out or an experienced climber, Redpoint Climbing Centre, Cecil Street provides a 3D climbing experience featuring lots of different shapes, angles and even stalactites! You can also try out a mountain skills course, where you will learn navigation and expedition skills.
Or try bouldering (stripped-down rock climbing just using climbing shoes, balance and technique) at Birmingham Bouldering Centre on Water Street.
The World Bouldering Championships at the Outdoor Show, held in the NEC.
Go to the flicks
Journey to faraway lands, go on big adventures and shed a tear at a love story in the cinema together. Odeon Birmingham has a kids’ club where tickets cost just £2.50 for little people and grown-ups alike, and it’s just £1.75 for Movies for Juniors tickets at Cineworld on Broad Street – and you can even watch 3D films here for just £3.25. Bargain.
Snow Queen Elsa in the Disney film Frozen
Bring out your inner Elsa at the skating rink!
Get your skating boots on and head Silver Blades in Solihull. Open seven days a week, it has an onsite skate shop, cafeteria, parents lounge and bar.
Or try Planet Ice in Coventry which offers penguin skating aids and toys for little ones to enjoy on the ice!
Take a muddy puddle walk
Peppa Pig never feels blue under a raincloud.
Stick your wellies on, wrap up warm and go and jump in some muddy puddles in one of these 10 lovely winter walks, where you get to explore intriguing places like Cuckoo’s Nook, Sot’s Hole and Joy’s Wood.
Steps heading in the direction of Joy’s Wood in Moseley Bog at dawn, ahead of the International Dawn Chorus Day.
Embrace the cold by skiing and snowboarding
So, it’s cold and miserable outside? Enjoy the chill at The Snowdome in Tamworth.
Try out snowboarding, skiing, tobogganing, ice-skating and even adrenalin tubing. Certainly not for the faint hearted, the latter involves hurtling down the slope in specially designed inflatable tubes. Go on, we dare you!
russ shea Tobogganing at Tamworth Snowdome.
Be an explorer in your own city
Dig out your umbrella and make the most of the city whilst it’s quiet because everyone else is indoors!
Source: http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/