Thinktank is....
Everything you thought you knew about the world - but didn't! Find out about your world and yourself in our ten themed, hands-on galleries. Surprising! Hard to believe! And sometimes downright disgusting!! The perfect day out.
Key Stage 2 (8-11)
Key Stage 2 (8-11)
At Key Stage 2 pupils will begin to adopt a more sophisticated approach to the core and foundation subjects.
In History, the requirement to study topics such as the Anglo-Saxon and Scots invasions and the Viking and Roman occupations creates many opportunities for school trips to some of the most important historical sites in the world, and a great variety of brilliant museums. There will always be a venue close by!
History trips can also be used in KS2 to develop pupils' 'use of geographical knowledge, understanding and skills to enhance their locational and place knowledge', one of the aims of the KS2 Geography curriculum. Such activities could also be linked to the national curriculum requirement to 'take part in outdoor and adventurous activity challenges both individually and within a team'.
But there are many other options for accessing imaginative and challenging activities from specialist providers. Some schools also like to organise short residential visits at for pupils at KS2 level to give classes a taster of new activities and team-working away from usual environments and families.
Suitable Venues
See a show at one of the West Midlands' most famous venues! Visit our website for full details.
Tours
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to go backstage at the Alex? Why not book one of our backstage theatre tours? Each tour will give you a unique insight into one of the most historic theatres in the West Midlands
Climbing is a refreshing change to your conventional, mainstream school sports. The adrenaline rush piques the children's interest and with the benefits of raising self esteem, building confidence and developing both team work and social skills it's the perfect activity for groups of young people to get involved in.
Experience the thrill of being a Formula 1 racing driver
8+ only. Karting race events, training and parties. Race up to 40mph in their 200cc biz karts. Their track is 400m long with 100m main straight.
A friendly start point for your cool new hobby: indoor climbing facility featuring dedicated and supportive kids' clubs, bouldering, lessons and taster sessions, abseiling, lead rope, slabs and overhangs.
Creation Indoor Climbing Centre boasts a variety of excellently equipped options and loads of ways to enjoy them, applying to all levels and ages!
Selly Manor is a museum steeped in history, in one of Birmingham's oldest buildings. Dating back to the 1300s, in 1907, busy establishing his vision of a Bournville village, local chocolate maker and philanthropist, George Cadbury, saved it from demolition and employed architect William Alexander Harvey to oversee its relocation, to Bournville Green.
Karting experience for kids with new lower age limit, welcoming member drivers from 8 years! A fantastic memorable achievement for kids, and maybe the start of lifelong interest
Under the guidance of one of their experienced instructors, novices learn the basics of motor sport safety and race-craft, and quickly build confidence in the control and handling of a race kart.
Soho House was the elegant home of industrialist and enterpreneur Matthew Boulton from 1766 to 1809. Carefully restored, this fashionable Georgian house features period room interiors with fine collections of ormolu, silver, furniture and paintings.
Welcome to Adventure Island Mini Golf, England's first Indoor Adventure Golf Complex featuring 2 brand new themed 18 hole courses! They are located indoors on their own lush tropical adventure island at Star City, Birmingham.
Bruise-less battle fun for the whole family, tracking down mean old aliens! Explore the arena with the kids, packing infra red combat equipment for a zero contact showdown! For over 6s.
Clay and Play is a paint your own pottery shop. We have an extensive range of items to choose from. You paint it then we glaze and fire it in our kiln. Its then ready to collect 5-7 days later. We can post them to you for a small extra cost.
A unique little museum with over 5,000 objects relating to the Birmingham Steel pen trade and the history of writing. Very interactive, you can make your own pen and try your hand at calligraphy.
Restored to its former Edwardian glory, downstairs there are exhibition rooms explaining the fascinating history of the house's former occupants. An interactive train set, toy box and rooms full of antique artefacts. Outside, 7 acres of Botanic Garden to be explored and enjoyed.
When the proprietors of the Smith & Pepper jewellery manufacturing firm decided to retire in 1981 they ceased trading and locked the door, unaware they would be leaving a time capsule for future generations. Tools were left strewn on benches; grubby overalls were hung on the coat hooks; and dirty teacups were abandoned alongside jars of marmite and jam on the shelf.
The National Exhibition Centre (NEC) is the busiest and seventh-largest exhibition centre in Europe. It is near junction 6 of the M42 motorway and is adjacent to Birmingham Airport and Birmingham International railway station It has 20 interconnected halls, set in grounds of 611 acres (2.54 km2) making it the largest exhibition centre in the UK.
The biggest movie screen in the Midlands: as high as a five storey building and as wide as four buses. The great range of fantastic IMAX 2D and 3D films will put you right in the heart of the action.
Fifteen acres of safe, secure, clean landscaped gardens with lawns and four glasshouses for children to explore. Indoor and outdoor activities for children and all the family. Picnic areas, outdoor theatre and music during the summer months.
A bowling centre located in Watson Road. We have 22 modern fully computerised lanes, American Pool tables, Amusement Arcades all catered towards families and kids. There is also the Beach Road Cafe for some delicious meal and snack options and a fully licensed bar with Sky Sports for the adults.
Impressive indoor 1000m Karting track for kids of 8 years and older. Full equipment provided and safety briefing before you start. Family events available. Great for adrenaline junkies and speed demons. Pedal to the metal!
The track is one of the longest and fastest in the midlands and offers an exhilarating ride with some great places to overtake fellow karters.
Quasar is a fun and safe game where each player wears a luminous vest and carries a laser pistol while roaming around in a multi-level maze. The object of each game is simply to laser tag as many people as you can in the set time. Kids go crazy for it! Tenpin bowling also on site.
For 8+: a fleet of karts are specially designed to allow youngsters to race at their own pace. They can limit the power for younger drivers as they learn how to drive, and teach all the skills needed to win on the track. They also do parties!
Boasting sensationally speedy but child friendly indoor go-karts, Teamworks is perfect for drivers experienced or brand new alike.
Kids love bowling, and if they are under 6 they can use a ramp and gutter guards. Great family fun!
A staggering array of activities under one (enormous!) roof, from bowling and laser tag to mini golf and dodgems, to the cinema, football and indoor climbing!
Star City Birmingham is home to an amazing assortment of great family activities all under one roof! Including:
A multi-tiered soft play experience with all the classic and contemporary adventure features one expects from modern soft play and dedicated toddler zone besides.
The Play Farm is an indoor, themed soft play centre for children aged 0 to 12 years (maximum 148 cms in height), with multiple levels of adventure play equipment with all the kids' favourites and a dedicated toddler zone.
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Featured Provider
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
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Latest News
Schoolboy Falls From 60ft Cliff on School Trip
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.