27 Things To Do In Birmingham Al With Kids

2. McWane Science Center

McWane Science Center which spans over four floors offers fun and interactive learning experiences in science and technology for children of all ages.  

If your kids love fish, head over to the Ocean Journey area at the lower level floor where you will find Alabama’s largest aquarium here which features sharks, green moray eels, clownfish, jellyfish, and more. 

McWane Science Center’s Itty Bitty Magic City also caters to younger kids from 6 months to 6 years old and it features a kids-sized set up of restaurants, grocery stores, farms, and fire stations.

Entrance fees to this awesome center are as follows:

• $13.00 for adults;
• $9.00 for kids from 2 – 12 years of age;
• Free for kids below 2 years old.

3. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) is Birmingham’s most famous attraction which depicts the struggles of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s.

This museum provides insights on the Civil Rights Era and the stories about Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks are narrated in a way that children can easily understand.

BCRI also offers complimentary educational programs and tours for K-12 students and this will give them deeper insight and lessons on the Civil Rights Movement.

Entrance fees to this museum are as follows:

• $15.00 for adults;
• $5.00 for seniors and youth;
• Free for kids below 9 years old from Monday to Saturday;
• Admission is free for all Sundays.

4. Vulcan Park & Museum

If this is your first time in Birmingham city, locals would recommend you to start your visit here at the Vulcan Park & Museum,making it one of the best things to do in Birmingham al with kids.

This is an interactive museum where you can learn the history of Vulcan and Birmingham city. 

You will also find the Vulcan statue here which is currently the largest cast-iron statue in the world and it represents Birmingham city’s roots in the iron and steel industry. If you climb up to the observation tower, you will be able to enjoy the spectacular view of the city.

Entrance fees are as follows:

• $6.00 for adults (ages 13 and above)
• $4.00 for kids between 5 – 12 years old 
• Free for kids under 4 years old.

5. Southern Museum of Flight

This is one of the top things to do in birmingham al with kids if your kids are big fans of aircraft, as they would be delighted to spend time in this aviation museum. 

The Southern Museum of Flight displays over 100 aircraft along with engines, artifacts, and memorabilia from the early history of powered flight.

The kids will be able to learn about how airplanes fly in a real aircraft and aspiring aviators can try operating the Flight Simulators under the guidance of experienced flight instructors.

Entrance fees are as follows:

• $7.00 for adults;
• $6.00 for seniors and students;
• Free for kids under 3 years old.

6. Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum

One of the top things to do in Birmingham al with kids if you are a fan of motorsports and would like to introduce them to your kids.

Barber Vintage Sports Museum, which is officially recognized by the Guinness World Records as being the world’s largest motorcycle collection has over 1,600 motorcycles with more than 900 units displayed here. 

This museum offers a great opportunity for the kids to learn the history of motorcycles.

Entrance fees are:

• $16.50 for adults;
• $11.00 for kids aged 4-12 years old;
• Free for kids under 3 years old.

Indoor Kid Activities Birmingham, AL

7. Let’s Play

If you are looking for fun things to do in Birmingham indoors, head over to Let’s Play which is suitable for kids aged between 0 – 12 years.

The two-level pirate ship-themed play area is definitely a big hit among older kids as it has a multi-level obstacle course, trampoline, big slides, and ball pit. 

Let’s Play also offers a dedicated area for children below 4 years and they can enjoy playing with a mini slide, ball pond, and balloon house. This indoor play center is a “no shoes” facility, therefore be sure to bring a pair of socks for yourself and your kids.

Entrance fees to this fun indoor play center are listed below:

• $15.00 for kids over 3 years old;
• $11.00 for kids from 1 – 12 years of age;
• $5.00 for kids below 12 months. 

8. Off The Wall

This 15,000 sq feet facility is equipped with bright colorful tunnels, slides, and bouncy houses for kids to explore and enjoy themselves. 

Off The Wall also has 3 massive ball-pits and various arcade games with prizes to be won and is one of the fun things to do in Birmingham Al with a toddler.

Kids’ birthdays can be celebrated here as well and there are several birthday packages available for you to choose from. 

Entrance fees to this fun indoor play center are listed below: 

• $3.99 for adults over 18 years old;
• $9.99 for kids from 4 – 17 years of age;
• $3.99 for kids below 3 years old. 

9. Urban Air Adventure Park

Urban Air Adventure is an indoor park where your family can enjoy various activities such as go-kart rides, obstacle courses, balance beams, and trampolines.

There is also an area dedicated for kids below 7 years old and the younger children can safely enjoy themselves here without the presence of the older kids.

Every visitor is required to wear Urban Air Socks which can be purchased at $2.99 and can be reused in the future.

Entrance fees are priced as follows:

• $27.49 for access to all attractions;
• $18.99 for all attractions except the Go-Kart Ride;
• $12.99 for basic trampolines only.

10. Surge Trampoline Park

If you are looking for an indoor park that allows your children to exercise and burn their energy, head over to Surge Trampoline Park.

This family fun play center which is located in Homewood, Alabama offers a wide range of trampoline activities, balance beams, pits filled with foam blocks to jump, and arcade games. 

All jumpers are required to wear Surge safety socks sold at $3.25 and you can keep this to be reused in future visits.

Trampoline tickets are priced based on hourly rates:

• $9.99 for 1.0 hour;
• $14.99 for 1.5 hours;
• $18.99 for 2.0 hours;
• $24.95 for 2.5 hours;
• $27.95 for 3.0 hours. 

11. High Point Climbing

One of the top things to do in Birmingham al with kids if they love climbing all over your furniture at home is High Point Climbing’s Kid Zone where they can experience the real fun of wall climbing safely.

Kids as young as 3 years old can enjoy climbing here which has unique walls and features with auto belays, top rope routes, and a kid’s boulder.

There are also recreational teams set up for kids aged between 4-18 years old with the purpose of helping young climbers to learn climbing skills.

Tickets are priced as follows:

• $18.50 for adults;
• $16.50 for kids below 10 years old;
• $6.00 for full gear rental

12. Oak Mountain Lanes

Oak Mountain Lanes is a great venue for you to have a family day with the kids as it has various attractions for adults and kids of all ages.

This family entertainment center has bowling alleys, a laser tag arena, an arcade game center, a rope obstacle course, and the newly added virtual reality gaming center.

There are also special deals for visitors on selected days such as arcade games at half price on Wednesdays and All You Can Play Laser Tag on Thursdays ($15.00 per person). 

One of the fun things to do in Birmingham Al for birthdays is to spend the special day here at Oak Mountain Lanes with family and friends.

Visiting Zoos And Animal Farms in Birmingham Al

13. Birmingham Zoo

One of the most famous attractions in this city is the Birmingham Zoo which is home to almost 550 animals including zebras, jaguar, African elephants, giraffes, and other species from around the world. 

The Trails of Africa is a must-see exhibit in this zoo and it features a replica of the African savannah environment for elephants, hippos, zebras, giraffes to roam freely.

If you visit on weekends during the spring and summer seasons, head over to the Kiwanis Giraffe Encounter area where your kids will have the opportunity to hand feed the giraffes from an elevated platform. This is definitely one of the best kid-friendly things to do in Birmingham Al.

Entrance fees to this amazing zoo are as follows:

• $17.95 for visitors over 13 years old;
• $12.95 for kids from 2 – 12 years of age;
• $14.95 for seniors above 65 years old. 

14. Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve

One of the unique things to do in Birmingham Al is to visit the Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve which is an urban nature preserve in Birmingham. 

This reserve is also a protected area for thousands of species of flora and fauna and has become the site of research projects carried out by scientists.

There is an exhibit hall at the Nature Center where you will see various native species including gray rat snakes, timber rattlesnakes, an Eastern box turtle, and a yellow-bellied slider.

You can visit Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve by purchasing a visitor parking permit for $5.00.

15. Alabama Wildlife Center

This is the largest and oldest wildlife rehabilitation and education center in Alabama and it serves as a treatment facility for injured or orphaned native birds from all over the state.

There are Education Program tours for children to learn and provide support for wildlife conservation and you will be able to meet Shelby, the Bald Eagle, and the Eurasian Eagle Owl which are the world’s largest owl species.

You can bring your kids to explore the Treetop Nature Trail which is a 2.9-kilometer trail and you will meet resident rescued birds including Barred Owls, Black Vultures and Barn Owl.

There is no entrance fee imposed to Alabama Wildlife Center as this is part of the Oak Mountain State Park with entrance fees as follows: 

• $5.00 for visitors over 12 years old;
• $2 for kids from 4 – 11 years of age;
• $2.00 for seniors above 62 years old. 

16. Oak Mountain Demonstration Farm

After visiting Alabama Wildlife Center, you can visit the Oak Mountain Demonstration Farm which is a petting zoo.

You will find farm animals including ducks, pigs, goats, donkeys, and donkeys here, and the kids can get close to the animals and pet them.

You can also buy pet food for $1.00 per bag and feed the goats and donkeys.

Entrance to this petting zoo is free!

Fun Time At Water Parks In Birmingham Al

17. Alabama Splash Adventure

Alabama Splash Adventure is an amazing water and amusement park that has 28 attractions including 2 roller coasters, an 800,000 wave pool, and 9 water rides. 

It is also home to Alabama’s largest water slide, Rocket Racer which officially opened in July 2021. 

Every entrance comes with free soft drinks, free use of tubes, and life jackets. Additionally, you and your family can enjoy daily shows such as Aquabatic Stunt Show and the Wild West Dive Show.

Entrance fees to this water park are $44.99 for visitors over 52 inches tall, $34.99 for seniors above 55 years old and visitors below 52 inches height, and free for children below 2 years old.

18. Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex Splash Pad

The best way to keep the kids cool during hot summer seasons is to bring them to a splash pad, an outdoor play area with sprinklers, fountains, and nozzles that spray water.

A new interactive splash pad was built at the multi-purpose sports complex, Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex in 2017.

There are 2 playgrounds at this site including one playground with an obstacle course for older kids to explore.

This splash pad is open to the public for free from 9 am to sunset.

19. Explore Playground And Splash Pad

Another splash pad worth visiting is Explore Playground and Splash Pad that is located at Hoover Met Complex.

This huge park has slides, swings, monkey bars and is designed with 43 elevated play events and 34 ground-level play events that are suitable for kids from all age groups.

You can prepare food from home and have a nice picnic at the dedicated area while your kids run wild at the playground and splash pad.

This awesome splash pad is open daily to the public for free from 9 am to sunset.

Free Kid Activities in Birmingham, AL

20. Birmingham Botanical Garden

This massive botanical garden is home to over 12,000 types of plants and currently there are more than 30 thematic gardens on this 67.5-acre land.

These unique thematic gardens are segregated based on the following categorization:

• Gardens of Collections which focuses on specific plant genus or family;
• Gardens of Nature which focuses on native plants of southeastern US and eco-geographical plant groups;
• Gardens of Culture focuses on an aspect of human culture.

Before your visit to the Birmingham Botanical Garden, don’t forget to download the Treasure Map which will serve as your guide to discover the garden’s living collection. 

Birmingham Botanical Garden is open seven days a week from 7 am to 6 pm and admission to this beautiful garden is free!

21. Aldridge Gardens

A great way for the kids to put down their gadgets is to bring them to Aldridge Gardens and let them wander in nature. 

You can bring your kids for a hike along the walking trail around its beautiful 5-acre lake while enjoying the displays of gorgeous flowers including hydrangeas, camellias, and azaleas.

The kids can also sign up for the educational program organized by Aldridge Gardens that provides outdoor, hands-on learning experiences on nature.

Aldridge Gardens are open daily from 8 am to 7 pm and admission to the garden is free!

22. Railroad Park

If you are looking for an open area to have a family picnic where kids can run around freely, then you should head over to Railroad Park.

This is an urban park with 19 acres of green space in downtown Birmingham that was designed and built in 2010 with more than 600 trees planted onsite.

There is also a designated skating area with 3 different skate bowls and your skater kids will definitely enjoy it.

Admission to the park is free and is open daily from 7 am to 11 pm.

23. 16th Street Baptist Church

This Baptist church is a National Historic Landmark and is one of the locations of iconic events which occurred during the Civil Rights Movement back in the 1960s

16th Street Baptist Church is located at the Birmingham Civil Rights District with other landmarks that include Kelly Ingram Park and Birmingham Civil Rights Institute., 

It has also been on the UNESCO list of tentative World Heritage Sites since 2008.

This historic landmark should not be missed if you would like your kids to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement.

24. Kelly Ingram Park

Kelly Ingram Park is located in the Civil Rights District of Birmingham, Alabama, and is also known as “A Place of Revolution and Reconciliation”.

This urban public park has several commemorative statues of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth, and other notable heroes of the Civil Rights Movement. 

Kelly Ingram Park is located opposite the 16th Street Baptist Church which played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement as well.

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Kelly Ingram Park, and 16th Street Baptist Church can be visited in one day and this visit will leave a major impact on your kids’ lives on the Civil Rights Movement.

25. Red Mountain Park

Red Mountain Park is an urban park with a 15-mile trail for hiking and mountain biking activities. There is also another shorter trail, 2 miles of flat walking trail suitable for easy use and strollers.

You can also bring your kids and family dogs to Remy’s Dog Park, a 6-acre open area designed for dogs with benches for running and fetching.

The kids will be excited to take part in an aerial adventure that includes zip-lining activities, a tree-top obstacle course, and a climbing tower.

Admission to the park is free and is open daily from 7 am to 5 pm.

26. Moss Rock Preserve

Moss Rock Preserve is a 349-acre nature preserve with large rock outcroppings, waterfalls, and wildlife. 

This park also preserves a rare variant of Little River Sandstone Glade that is one of only 35 occurrences around the world.

You can bring your kids and dogs here for hiking as dogs are allowed at Moss Rock Preserve. 

Admission to the park is free and is open to the public.

27. Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark

One of the unique things to do in Birmingham Al with the kids is to visit Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark.

It used to be a pig iron-producing blast furnace from 1882 to 1971 and after the operation ceased, this industrial site has been preserved and restored for public use.

Sloss Furnaces has turned into an open-air museum which provides insight into the city’s manufacturing era.

Admission to this historical landmark is free and is open to the public. The area is also stroller-friendly.

Conclusion

There you have it, a comprehensive list of 27 things to do in Birmingham Al with kids from museums, science centers to indoor parks, and free activities for your family.

This Magic City is indeed a vibrant city that provides unlimited fun and unique things to do with kids.

If you plan the itinerary using this guide, rest assured your kids will have a memorable day in Birmingham, Alabama.

27 Things To Do In Birmingham Al With Kids