Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum for families

The large, eclectic Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum does well in providing something for all ages – and the Science Garden is great fun.

Why visit Thinktank in Birmingham?

The Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum is a rather loosely themed museum, with several sections that don’t fit the usual science museum mould.

The Move It section is all about transport – and, in particular, transport in Birmingham. The highlight here is the Spitfire plane, 11,000 of which were built in Birmingham during World War II.

The Our Changing Planet is designed to be more thought-provoking, looking at the impact of humans on the natural environment and whether we’re now in the Anthropocene era.

Thinktank’s pride and joy, however, is the Smethwick Engine – the oldest working steam engine in the UK. That’s inside the Power Up section about the Industrial Revolution.

Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum with kids

Thinktank is a big place, spread over four floors and a garden. There’s enough packed into it that there’s going to be at least one area that children latch on to and want to spend more time in. It might be the dinosaur skulls in the wildlife section, or the old trams and trains in Move It.

The Planetarium on the third floor is usually a winner, and that’s next to MiniBrum, a play-based area with miniature shops, salons and health centres for role-playing. It’s aimed at the under-8s, and tends to spark some endearing imaginative play.

Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum review: The best bit

Easily the best part of Thinktank is the Science Garden outside. This is where the museum heads into interactive science territory. It’s hands-on, whether using water and air pressure to blast a plastic bottle into the air, navigating a miniature canal lock system or running around a human-sized hamster wheel.

Wrap up warm if visiting on a colder day, as this will be the area the kids don’t want to leave.

Infants, juniors or secondary?

What Thinktank pulls off quite successfully is managing to span the age ranges. MiniBrum and the Science Garden work particularly well for younger children, while the drier, meatier sections are for secondary age children to sink their teeth into.

Thinktank entry prices

Adult tickets for the Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum cost £15.50 and child tickets cost £7.50. There are also family tickets, covering up to four people, for £37.50. It’s advisable to book a timed slot online.

Prices were last checked and updated on 16 October 2024.

Full day, half day or a couple of hours?

A family should be able to get half a day out of a visit to Thinktank, particularly if you add in the planetarium show.

Attractions near the Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum

Nearby attractions in Birmingham that can be combined with a visit to the Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum include:

• Cadbury World in Bourneville.
• The Legoland Discovery Centre.
• The National Sea Life Centre Birmingham.

Nearby cities

The Legoland Discovery Centre is in central Birmingham.

Other cities within a 90 minute drive of the Legoland Discovery Centre include Hereford, Worcester, Gloucester, Stoke-on-Trent, Nottingham, Derby, Coventry, Leicester, Lichfield and Milton Keynes.

Is it open on Mondays?

During term time, the Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum is usually open Wednesday to Sunday. However, in the school holidays it is often open every day. Check the Birmingham Museums website to ensure it is open before showing up.

More information

For more information, visit the Thinktank section of the Birmingham Museums website.