Birmingham is a city full of fun things to do for families and we’ve compiled more than 100 (!!!) on this list, just for you! So the next time you’re looking for an activity to keep you busy, no matter what mood you’re in, this list has you covered!
Things to do with Kids in Birmingham
Where to See Animals
Birmingham Zoo
Oak Mountain Petting Zoo
Arts and Crafts
Art Play
Do it Yourself Crafts
Painting with a Twist
Birmingham Landmarks
Alabama Theatre – The Alabama Theatre was built in 1927 by Paramount Studios as an Alabama showcase for Paramount films. It was used primarily as a movie palace for 55 years, with the exception of the annual Miss Alabama pageant and the weekly Mickey Mouse Club. The new Alabama Theatre for the Performing Arts hosts many live events, as well as films, a Childrens Summer Film Series and the annual showing of Polar Express
Murals – Birmingham has become a hot spot for some really cool murals, spend a day tracking them down and see how many you can see. Follow Murals of Birmingham on Facebook for a list
Rickwood Field – America’s oldest baseball park
Vulcan Park and Museum- Vulcan is the world’s largest cast iron statue; made of 100,000 pounds of iron and 56 feet tall, he stands at the top of Red Mountain overlooking the city of Birmingham. But Vulcan is more than just a statue—Vulcan Park and Museum features spectacular views of Birmingham, an interactive history museum that examines Vulcan and Birmingham’s story. Make sure to ask for the Scavenger Hunt – the kids will love exploring the grounds to complete the list.
Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark – the only industrial museum in the country that gives visitors the chance to walk around and explore a 20th century blast furnace site.
Climbing and Fitness
Birmingham Boulders
First Avenue Rocks
Highpoint Climbing and Fitness
Rent Zyp Bikes
Hiking and Exploring (and camping)
Irondale Furnace Ruins Trail
Lakeshore/Jemison Trail
Moss Rock Preserve
Oak Mountain State Park (camping)
Red Mountain Park – Beautiful hiking and biking trails- a Zip Tour and Dog Park!
Rotary Trail
Ruffner Mountain
Tannehill State Park (Camping)
Turkey Creek Nature Preserve (Check out our 5 things to know before you go!)
Indoor Activities/Play Places
Altitude Trampoline Park
Autobahn Indoor Speedway
Bowlero
Break Out Birmingham
Bud’s Best Cookie Tour
Build A Bear Workshop – Riverchase Galleria
Bumper Nets
Carousel – Riverchase Galleria
Chuck E Cheese
Dave and Busters
Funtime Skate Center Fultondale
Game Zone Laser Tag Center
Goldenflake Factory Tour
Hooligans Family Fun Center
Lego Store- Riverchase Galleria
Let’s Play Birmingham – 2 locations, 280 and Hoover off 150
Oak Mountain Lanes Bowling
Pelham Ice Skating Rink
Pump it Up – Pelham and Trussville
Roller Motion Roller Skating
Skates 280
Sparetime Bowling – Trussville
Steel City Jump Park
Surge Trampoline Park
Treetop Adventure
Trussville Playstation
Ultra Blast Laser Combat Center
Urban Air, Homewood or Trussville
Vestavia Bowl
Libraries
Birmingham Public Library
Emmet O’Neal Library
Gardendale Public Library
Homewood Public Library
Hoover Public Library
North Shelby Library
Springville Road Library
Trussville Library
Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest
Movies
AMC – Vestavia, Hoover, Summit, Patton Creek, Lorna Road (AMC Classic)
AmStar Cinemas in Alabaster
Grand River Drive – In – Located at the Outlet Shops of Grand River – head out there to see a drive in movie, play mini golf and grab some dinner while watching the kiddos play on the playground while you wait for your movie time.
McWane Science Center Imax
Regal Cinemas – Trussville
Museums and Science Centers
Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
Barber Motor Sports- Barber Motorsports hosts dozens of races a year and also happens to be a beautiful course. Make sure to stop by the museum and check out some vintage motorcycles.
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
Birmingham Museum of Art – The museum is free to the general public and includes incredible exhibits, including an outdoor sculpture garden. Check their calendar for special childrens events.
Christenberry Planetarium at Samford University
McWane Science Center – Changing lives through science and wonder. McWane Science Center combines unique assets to create unique, hands-on, science-learning experiences that parents and teachers value and kids love.
Southern Museum of Flight
Outdoor Activities
Alabama Adventure/Alabama Splash Adventure
Aldridge Gardens
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
The Color Tunnel – Located on 14th street under the railroad tracks. Large network of LEDs
Float the Cahaba
Fort Red Rock Paintball Park
Gardendale Splash Pad
Jones Valley Teaching Farm
The Market at Pepper Place – every Saturday April – December. Rain or Shine.
Moody Splash Pad
Statue of Liberty – Liberty Park
TopGolf
Parks
Avondale Park
Buck creek Park
Byrd Park
Cahaba Lily Park
Crestwood Park
Explore Park and Splash pad in Hoover
Homewood Park (West Homewood and Central)
Heardmont Park
Joe Tucker Park
Leeds Memorial Park
Linn Park
Overton Park
Railroad Park
Tot Lot in Mountain Brook
Veterans Parks in Hoover
Veterans Park in Alabaster
Wald Park – Vestavia
Shopping
Brookwood Mall
Colonial Promenade in Alabaster
Pinnacle at Tutwiler Farm in Trussville
Riverchase Galleria
Outlet Shops of Grand River
Summit Shopping Center
Bass Pro Shop
Sports
Birmingham Barons
Birmingham Bulls Hockey
Birmingham Legion Soccer
UAB Sports – The men’s basketball program has a long history of success spanning several decades. In addition to basketball, UAB also has programs in men’s sports for baseball, golf, soccer, and tennis. Women’s sports programs include softball, basketball, golf, soccer, bowling, tennis, track and field (indoor and outdoor), cross country, volleyball and sand volleyball.
Sweet Treats
Bruster’s Ice Cream
Cookie Dough Magic
Cookie Fix
Insomnia Cookies
Steel City Pops- Gourmet popsicle store. Multiple locations
For a full list of Birmingham Area Ice Cream Shoppes and Sweet Treats visit our post here.
Theatre
Alys Stephens Center
Birmingham Children’s Theatre
Red Mountain Theatre
Virginia Samford Theatre
Just a short drive from Birmingham…
Anniston Museum of Natural History (Anniston)
Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum (Calera)
Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington (Columbiana) FREE
Desoto Caverns (Childersburg)
American Village (Montevallo)
Children’s Hands on Museum (Tuscaloosa)
Cook Museum of Natural Science (Decatur)
The Barnyard (Tuscaloosa)
All will enjoy a hands on experience with friendly farm animals. Activities include feeding and holding farm animals. Taking a boat, pony and hay ride. Lots of playtime with 2 playgrounds and jumping pillow.
International Motorsports Hall of Fame (Talledega)
For a daily/weekly run down on events happening in and around town, make sure to keep an eye on our full events calendar, loaded with storytimes, festivals, and more!
