Family-friendly events

Find events suitable for all the family, and particularly for students who parents or who have young family members. From concerts to workshops to fun days, there's weekday, weekend, and holiday fun for all ages. We've pulled together our family-friendly and family-focused events to help you plan exciting days out and explore campus.

Our events for families and children

Barber Baby: Homme vu par une fleur (Man Seen by a Flower): 19th March 11am - noon; The Dome, Bramall Music Building; Experience the magic of live music inspired by works from the Barber collection. Relax, listen, or dance - adventure awaits! Ideal for 0-4yo and their grown ups, free and drop-in.; Barber Institute of Fine Arts | Family focused

Brain Awareness Week at the MAC 2026: 21st March 10am - 4pm; Midlands Art Centre, Cannon Hill Park; Drop in to this free unique family‑friendly event brings cutting‑edge brain research out of the lab and into the Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) with interactive activities for all ages.; Family focused

Barber Family: Sounds of the Sun: 21st March 11am - 3pm; The Exchange, Centenary Square; Experience the sounds of the sun with musician Aaron Diaz! Barber Family workshops are free and drop in, for children aged 4-10yo and their grown-ups, with interactive performances and activities.; Barber Institute of Fine Arts | Family focused

Helios Family Day: 21st March 11am - 3pm; The Exchange, Centenary Square; Explore the Sun with the whole family! Enjoy interactive activities, meet real researchers, step up to Helios, and discover fun facts about our closest star.; Family focused

Birmingham Popular Maths Lecture - The Small World Problem: Six Degrees of Graph Theory: 25th March 6:30pm - 7:30pm; Lecture Theatre B, Watson building; Join us for our Birmingham Popular Maths Lecture on The Small World Problem: Six Degrees of Graph Theory by Professor Ryan Martin, open to all interested in the study of Mathematics!; Engineering & Physical Sciences | Family friendly

House Hunt and Garden Explorer's Trail: 28th March midnight - 12th April midnight; Winterbourne House & Gardens; Follow in the footsteps of the people who lived and worked in this family home as you embark on our children’s trail, aimed at ages 6+. Free entry for students, under 5s free, 5-16yos from £7.30.; Family focused

Barber Family: Light and Landscape: 1st April 11am - 3pm; The Exchange, Centenary Square; Take part in a tactile, making activity inspired by the light and landscape of A Landscape with Cattle and Figures, Karel Dujardin. Barber Family workshops are free and drop in, for children aged 4-10yo and their grown-ups.; Barber Institute of Fine Arts | Family focused

Explore family tours at The Exchange: 1st April 11am - noon; The Exchange, Centenary Square; A new bank clerk uncovers bank secrets and explores mysterious items from the past in a family-friendly adventure for ages 4-11 (and their grown-ups). Booking essential - 1 free ticket per child, to be accompanied by an adult.; Family focused

Signs of Light: family day: 1st April 11am - 3pm; The Exchange, Centenary Square; Join the team at The Exchange for a special family activity day inspired by University research and our new artwork, Helios by British artist Luke Jerram. This event is free; drop in anytime.; Family focused

Explore family tours at The Exchange: 1st April 1pm - 2pm; The Exchange, Centenary Square; A new bank clerk uncovers bank secrets and explores mysterious items from the past in a family-friendly adventure for ages 4-11 (and their grown-ups). Booking essential - 1 free ticket per child, to be accompanied by an adult.; Family focused

Quiet sunrise session: April: 18th April 9am - 10am; The Exchange, Centenary Square; Discover Helios together with your family during this limited, quiet session ideal for families with children aged 5–15 who have autism or sensory processing differences. Siblings are very welcome; all attendees must book a place.; Family focused

Barber Family: Chalk Cliff Comics: 18th April 11am - 3pm; The Exchange, Centenary Square; Join a writing and illustration workshop with artist Michael D Kennedy inspired by Chalk Cliffs in the Sun, by Otto Dix. Barber Family workshops are for children aged 4 –10 years and their grown-ups.; Barber Institute of Fine Arts | Family focused

Barber Baby: Still Life with a Garland of Fruit: 30th April 11am - noon; The Dome, Bramall Music Building; Experience the magic of live music inspired by works from the Barber collection. Relax, listen, or dance - adventure awaits! Ideal for 0-4yo and their grown ups, free and drop-in.; Barber Institute of Fine Arts | Family focused

Parents' and carers' group: 13th May 2pm - 3:30pm; Online; Are you a student who's also a parent or carer? Balancing studies and caring can feel tough, but you're not alone. Find a network who understand what it's like with our termly online therapeutic group.; Wellbeing | Family friendly | Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Groove Sensations: 16th May 11am - noon; Elgar Concert Hall, Bramall Music Building; Part of our Groove Baby: Barber Family double-bill. Groove Baby present a sensational sensory voyage specially created for under 5s and their grown-ups. Tickets £5, plus sensory crafting 10:00-16:00 in the foyer for ticket holders!; Barber Institute of Fine Arts | Family focused

Explore family tours at The Exchange: 27th May 11am - noon; The Exchange, Centenary Square; A new bank clerk uncovers bank secrets and explores mysterious items from the past in a family-friendly adventure for ages 4-11 (and their grown-ups). Booking essential - 1 free ticket per child, to be accompanied by an adult.; Family focused

Explore family tours at The Exchange: 27th May 1pm - 2pm; The Exchange, Centenary Square; A new bank clerk uncovers bank secrets and explores mysterious items from the past in a family-friendly adventure for ages 4-11 (and their grown-ups). Booking essential - 1 free ticket per child, to be accompanied by an adult.; Family focused