Family days out in the Midlands

West Midlands Safari Park

For most people, a safari to Africa is out of reach, but you could never be closer to wildlife than this. A four-mile drive through the park brings you just a windscreen away from giraffes, rhinos, lions and water buffalo. Take it to the next level and stay overnight in the park in a luxurious African thatched safari lodge and view the cheetahs or elephants just outside your porch as the sun sets. Don’t miss the indoor Discovery Trail, an impressive Dinosaur exhibit and theme park. A memorable day out. Booking essential.

Dudley Zoo & Castle

In the grounds of 11th century Dudley Castle is a zoo exhibiting over 160 species, including polar bears, wolves, lions and zebras. Enjoy feeding time with the keepers, hop on board the land train and dine in the restaurant. Try to time your visit to coincide with one of the historic re-enactments or children’s events at the castle. Check out the Dudley Zoo website for ‘Kidzoone’ and get busy doing some of their many arts and crafts ideas over the summer holidays.

Drayton Manor

Drayton Manor is a theme park, 15-acre zoo and four-star hotel set in 180 acres of Staffordshire countryside for you to enjoy this summer along with a special ‘Summer of Fun’ event spanning the whole summer holidays. Over 100 rides and attractions, including the high-adrenaline freefall Apocalypse and Shockwave stand-up rollercoaster. Little kids will love Thomas Land with its Thomas The Tank Engine theme rides. Elsewhere there is a Thomas exhibition, Crazy Golf, Dino Trail and lots more to make this a full and enjoyable day for the whole family.

Trentham Monkey Forest

Walk amongst monkeys and enjoy a unique day out for all the family at Trentham Monkey Forest. Watch and be amazed as the 140, free-ranging Barbary macaques live as they would in the wild.

Situated in an ancient Staffordshire Forest, Trentham Monkey Forest is the perfect day out for all ages. It also a great way to support the conservation of this endangered species, whilst also being a unique experience as the monkeys are free to roam, living freely, no cages or bars.

Alton Towers

Alton Towers is officially the largest theme park in the UK. Split into ten different zones, there are plenty of rides for adrenaline junkies, such as The Wicker Man and Th13rteen. For little kids there’s Cbeebies Land with rides based on the TV channel’s programmes, including Octonauts and In The Night Garden.

There are new additions for this summer. Take a look at ‘The Retro Squad’, three classic rides that have been revamped for 2021 to spin, bounce and swirl you dizzy! Also new for 2021 is ‘Gangsta Granny’ – a ride inspired by David Walliams’ book of the same name. Packed with special effects, it’s an exciting dash to steal the crown jewels!

In addition to the theme park, Alton Towers comprises a golf course, water park and hotels.

Clip ‘n Climb Stoke

Clip ‘n Climb has 27 indoor climbing walls requiring varying levels of ability and agility so that anyone can have a go – from the absolute beginner to the hard-core bouldering fanatic. There are simple ladders for newbies and children. For more experienced climbers there is Orbital. This climbing wall has a series of handholds on rotating wheels that require balance and strength to navigate. The most daring visitors will want to take it to the limit and try the vertical drop slide and leap of faith challenges. Little kids will enjoy the soft play area. Café available for snacks.

Cinemas

Kids Pass members get the biggest cinema discounts at any time and for any film with prices starting from £4. There are so many big movies coming out this summer, including Jungle Cruise, featuring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Space Jam: A New Legacy!

Adrenaline Trampoline Park

Located at Liversedge (West Yorkshire), this is a trampoline park with everything! Besides the freestyle areas, dodgeball courts and slam dunk basketball zone, there is a giant airbag to land on for those kids brave enough to leap off a high platform. When they are finished with bouncing, your kids can get rid of more energy on the slides and ball pits of the Lost City Soft Play area.

The Park offers safe play for little ones too. There are quiet sessions on the trampolines for little kids under 4 years (parent/guardian goes free). Tots have two sections of their own in the Lost City Soft Play area, too, with plenty of colourful obstacles to climb over and crawl through.

Over the summer holidays there will be superb events for fans of electronic games with virtual reality experiences and video games tournaments. See the website for details.

Jump In

Shrewsbury and Warwick

The Jump In trampoline centres are a great way to spend the summer holidays! There are sessions for everyone from the boisterous fun of Open Jump (1-2 hours long) to the peaceful bouncing of Toddler Time. Over the summer holidays there are even more options. Open Jumps will offer ‘Tik Tok’ dance sessions, plus Olympic Games challenges.

Trampolining is an all-weather activity with enormous benefits to health and fitness – as well as being lots of fun!

Hollywood Bowl

Ten-pin bowling is an activity for the whole family – even little kids can roll a ball down the ramp and watch it bounce off the bumpers on its way to the skittles. Anyone can get that perfect strike, too, so anyone can win!

Hollywood Bowl offer different bowl and dine deals as well as the option to upgrade to the VIP experience with table service and Hollywood décor. After bowling your kids will undoubtedly want to visit the amusement arcade with its racing games, pool tables and air hockey. Check out the special deals over the summer holidays with early bird discounts.

Gulliver’s Kingdom

Located at Matlock Bath in the Peak District, Gulliver’s Kingdom has the most stunning scenic backdrop to any theme park. There are 20 rides, including the wet and wild Log Flume and the high ropes scramble of Crows Nest Quest. Little kids will enjoy the rides in Lilliput Land and Toyland. Elsewhere there are play areas, a junior cowboy town, dino maze and loads more activities. It’s a wonderful day out for children under 13.

You can stay over in one of the pirate cabins, colourful promenade rooms or other themed accommodation and extend your visit. Free parking at this popular theme park.

Twycross Zoo

Located at Atherstone, Warwickshire, Twycross Zoo is home to the largest collection of primates in the western world and it’s the only place in the UK where you can see gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos and orangutan in the same zoo. There are other species here too, including tigers, leopards and meerkats. Make sure you walk through the Sumatran Tiger glass tunnel and get closer to these big cats than ever before – they might even walk above your head!

Over the summer holidays Twycross will be putting on special events, including the Wet ‘n’ Wild play zone, the outdoor Island Princess Show and a team of children’s entertainers. Free parking. (Please allow three working days for tickets).