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

Two children look at a knot on a climbing harness Junior climbing club
16th February 10am - 20th February 11:30am
Sport & Fitness Centre
This five day course will teach your junior the basics of safe climbing, belaying and equipment checks, all in a fun and engaging environment! For juniors aged 7-17 years, £35 members, £45 non-members.
Family focused
Two children on a climbing wall Junior just climb session
16th February 11:45am - 20th February 12:45pm
Sport & Fitness Centre
These sessions are ideal for beginners or those with limited climbing experience. Each session is led by our qualified instructor, Sam, who will create a fun, supportive environment, with an element of challenge, to keep your junior engaged.
Sport & Fitness | Family focused
Two children smell a pot plant Barber Family: Fragrant Rubbings
17th February 11am - 3pm
The Exchange, Centenary Square
Join our free Barber Family workshop for children aged 4–10 and their grown‑ups. Work together with artists to make fragrant rubbing pictures. Drop-in and free, no booking needed.
Barber Institute of Fine Arts | Family focused
The exterior of The Exchange building Explore family tours at The Exchange
17th February 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
The exterior of The Exchange building Explore family tours at The Exchange
17th February 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
Cannon Hill park Pay What You Choose: Zootropolis 2
17th February 2:30pm - 5pm
Midlands Art Centre, Cannon Hill Park
In the much anticipated Disney sequel, detectives Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde find themselves on the twisting trail of a mysterious reptile. This film showing at the Midlands Art Centre (MAC) is pay-as-you-choose.
Family focused | In the city
Artwork of two ancient fish Lapworth Family Fun Day: Feeding Without Jaws
18th February 10am - 4pm
Lapworth Museum of Geology
Join us for a family fun day at the Lapworth Museum all about fascinating ancient fish, linking to our current temporary exhibition! Explore the Museum and complete trails, activities and more.
Lapworth Museum of Geology | Family focused
Old Joe at night, with a green illuminated clock face Astronomy in the City: Gravitational waves
18th February 5:30pm - 9pm
Poynting Building
Astrophysics, stargazing, and tea and biscuits - what more could you want! Join Astronomy in the City to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the first ever gravitational wave detection.
Family friendly
Small children watch a saxophonist Barber Baby: Latona and the Frogs
19th February 11am - 12:30pm
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. Our Half Term special is a bit longer, with older siblings welcome too!
Barber Institute of Fine Arts | Family focused
Cannon Hill park Pay What You Choose: Zootropolis 2
21st February 10:30am - 1pm
Midlands Art Centre, Cannon Hill Park
In the much anticipated Disney sequel, detectives Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde find themselves on the twisting trail of a mysterious reptile. This film showing at the Midlands Art Centre (MAC) is pay-as-you-choose.
Family focused | In the city
A toddler watches a harpist 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
Children interact with a music technician in a performance 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
Students in a lecture audience 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
Two children crafting 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
The exterior of The Exchange building 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
The exterior of The Exchange building 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
A parent and two children draw on a large artwork 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
Small children watch a saxophonist 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
Three students with small children sit in the Green Heart 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
A keytar player on stage in front of a projected image of a cartoon witch 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
The exterior of The Exchange building 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
The exterior of The Exchange building 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