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.
Key Stage 1 (4-7)
Key Stage 1 (4-7)
In the first two years of compulsory education (Key Stage 1/5-7 years), pupils begin to explore their local environment. If the school is lucky enough to have a museum nearby, it will be an important starting point in their development. Further afield, there are activity-based museums such as the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden, the Science Museum and the Wellcome Foundation museums in London, or the various museums of childhood in Derbyshire, Edinburgh and the Victoria and Albert in Bethnal Green; all of which are popular venues for Key Stage 1 students.
Many providers cater for both day and short-term residential adventure activities, and both the National Trust and Forestry Commission run activities specifically tailored for the KS1 age-group.
Children are often interested in the theatre and music, and usually begin with trips to pantomimes and musicals in Key Stage 1. You can find guidance on ‘kids’ theatre in London here, and over in East Anglia there is the Norwich Puppet Theatre with Bristol Old Vic in the West Country; there’s bound to be a good venue near you!
Suitable Venues
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.
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.
Colourful floral displays from spring to autumn!
Flower-filled park containing a sensory garden, an exotic glasshouse, a lake with ducks and swans, and a boating pond. There is also a nearby ship-themed adventure play area (see full details for information).
Things to enjoy
A bowling alley located in Shires Retail Park, Leamington Spa. We have fully modern computerised bowling lanes, American and English Pool Tables, Amusement Arcades all catered towards families and kids. There is also the Beach Road Cafe Bar and a fully licensed bar with Sky Sports for the grown ups too.
The Parkridge Centre is in a great location in the heart of Brueton Park, Solihull. It is an ideal location for younger children to explore their local area and experience the wonderful nature and wildlife that our area has to offer.
The Pottery Paint Shop is a relaxed, fun place to pop in at any time and let the artist in you free.
Newly refurbished play area with many classic soft play features, all in clean colourful decor.
Dedicated baby toddler area, slides, balls, and everything you've come to expect from indoor play including cafe and visibility seating.
Housed in a Jacobean mansion, St John’s Museum showcases the social history collections. Galleries include a Victorian Kitchen and Schoolroom (used by local school children during term time for activities and learning sessions), displays on childhood, toys and games, costume and an under 5s discovery room.
Warwickshire Museum is the name for the body which operates both the Market Hall Museum and St John's Museum in Warwick. It is part of Heritage and Culture Warwickshire.
Saltisford Canal Trust would like to give you a warm welcome to the Saltisford Arm of the Grand Union Canal, in heart of the historic market town of Warwick.
We are a small canal charity set up 30 years ago to restore the canal arm which dates back to 1799, and is originally the terminus of the Warwick and Birmingham Canal.
Visit us for a guided factory tour and to see some of the fabulous artists at work.
Led through each process of manufacture by one of Country Artist’s experienced Guides, the tour ambles its way to what many people find the most fascinating aspect of the whole tour - the painting studios.
The earthworks, albeit quite clear ones, are all that remain of this former Norman Motte and Bailey castle in Henley-in-Arden, not far from Stratford in Warwickshire.
Our pottery painting and craft studio is light and spacious and seats comfortably between 40 to 45 people. It is a great place for parties for children and adults of all ages. We can cater for any event, even outside normal hours.
We have a wonderful selection of pottery and a large array of paint colours to choose from as well as plenty of ideas and tools to help you get creative.
Considered to be a "storybook in stone," Warwickshire's oldest church reflects its rich history with buttresses at odd angles, Saxon windows and remnants of a tithe barn.
Wellesbourne Airfield is a small, fully operational, thriving airfield 5 miles east of Stratfrod-upon-Avon.
Early in 1941 the Government purchased over 200 acres of Warwickshire farmland 6 miles East of Stratford Upon Avon.
For indoor and outdoor spaces to be active look no further than Brickfields Sports Centre and Recreation Ground in Plymouth, Devon.
This sports centre offers the very best of both worlds with a versatile sports hall, group exercise studio, youth gym and main gym inside whilst outside there is an athletics track and field, grass football pitches and two all weather pitches.
Peaceful Memorial Garden with bandstand, plus recreation ground that has 2 sports pavilions, a cricket pitch, 2 football pitches, a junior football and rugby pitches, and a bowling green. Great children’s play area. Free to visit.
Named after the famous British athlete, Sir Roger Bannister, Bannister Outdoor Sports Centre provides a range of facilities including a pavilion with changing facilities and a warm up room.
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