Thinktank in Birmingham: Planetarium, Spitfire Gallery and Hands-On Fun

This guide is for families and adults who have moved to Birmingham from abroad and want a reliable indoor day out in the city centre. It covers what is inside Thinktank, how the planetarium fits into a visit, and the practical details that help a day with children run smoothly.

• What to see across the four floors
• The planetarium and cinema under the stars
• Planes, steam engines and Birmingham’s industrial past
• Opening times, tickets and membership
• Planning a family visit
• FAQ

What to see across the four floors

Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum is inside Millennium Point in the city centre and is run by Birmingham Museums Trust. It calls itself an award-winning science museum for family days out, and it is a big place: four floors with over 200 hands-on exhibits. Expect your children to touch things rather than read labels.

The highlights for younger children:

• MiniBrum, a child-sized mini city. If your children are new to Birmingham, it is a gentle way for them to get to know the place they now call home.
• The Science Garden, an interactive outdoor space. It is handy when children need to move after an hour indoors.
• A dinosaur you can come face to face with.
• Gamesworld, one of the museum’s featured attractions. Gamesworld Sessions also appear in the events programme.

Older children and adults will get more from the industrial history galleries and the planetarium. The website also has a page on the permanent galleries if you want to plan a route before you go.

The planetarium and cinema under the stars

Thinktank has a 4K Planetarium where, in the museum’s words, you can journey to the stars. It also gives you a calm, seated break in a busy day, which parents of small children will appreciate.

The events listings include Planetarium Weekend Shows, so aim for a weekend if a show is the main reason for your trip. The main pages do not give show times or booking details, so check the What’s On section of the Thinktank site before you travel.

The planetarium also hosts evening screenings billed as “Cinema under the stars”. The current Spooky Cinema programme includes Hocus Pocus, Blade Runner Final Cut and Alien. That runs from a family Halloween comedy to two science fiction films that many parents would save for an adults’ night out, so check the age guidance on each listing before booking with children. Queen Heaven is also listed, and its event page has the details.

Planes, steam engines and Birmingham’s industrial past

For many adults, this is the part of Thinktank that explains the city. The galleries on Birmingham’s industrial past show steam engines, trains, cars and planes from yesteryear. They help newcomers understand why the city looks and feels the way it does.

If a Spitfire is the reason for your visit, be aware that the official pages used for this guide mention planes but do not name individual aircraft or a dedicated Spitfire gallery. Check the permanent galleries page on the Thinktank site to confirm what is on display before you promise it to a keen young pilot.

These galleries suit school-age children who like machines, and adults who are curious about the region they have moved to.

Opening times, tickets and membership

According to the Thinktank visit page, opening hours follow the school calendar:

• Term-time: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Thinktank is closed on Mondays in term-time.
• Birmingham school holidays: every day, 10am to 5pm. The October half-term dates listed are 24 October to 1 November.
• Bank holiday Mondays: open.
• Last admission: 4.30pm.

Admission charges apply, but these pages do not list prices. Check the ticket prices and information section of the Thinktank site for current rates.

You can buy tickets on arrival, subject to availability. The museum recommends pre-booking to guarantee entry and get in faster, particularly at weekends and in school holidays. If your children dislike queues, book ahead.

If you expect to come back, look at membership of Birmingham Museums Trust. It gives 12 months of free general entry to Thinktank and free access to the Trust’s other venues. Members are still advised to pre-book.

Planning a family visit

The address is Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum, Millennium Point, Birmingham, B4 7XG, and the entrance is on the ground floor, level 0. There is a car park run by Birmingham City Council, where charges apply, and there are bike racks if you cycle.

Facilities for babies and toddlers are good:

• A baby changing room, plus highchairs in the café and coffee corner.
• A microwave for warming bottles and food, and a picnic area for packed lunches.
• Toilets on all levels, including accessible toilets.
• Lockers, a shop, free WiFi, a free digital guide and a cash machine within Millennium Point.

Two more services are worth knowing about. Prayer facilities are available on request. So is a Quiet Room, which can help children who find the noise too much. Ask a member of staff when you arrive.

Last admission is 4.30pm and the museum closes at 5pm, so arrive in the morning if you want to fit in the planetarium, MiniBrum and the galleries in one visit.

A few house rules: photography is fine for personal use unless signs say otherwise, but tripods, selfie sticks and flash are not allowed. Bags may be searched, weapons are banned, and vaping is not permitted at any Birmingham Museums Trust site. Before your first visit, look at the floor plan, the 360° online tour and the accessibility page on the website.

FAQ

Is Thinktank open on Mondays?

Not in term-time, when it opens Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. It opens every day in Birmingham school holidays, including 24 October to 1 November, and on bank holiday Mondays. Last admission is 4.30pm.

Do I need to book Thinktank tickets in advance?

No, you can buy on arrival, subject to availability. The museum advises pre-booking to guarantee entry and get in faster, especially at weekends and in school holidays. Current prices are on the Thinktank website.

Is there a Spitfire at Thinktank?

The official pages describe planes in the industrial history galleries but do not name specific aircraft. Check the permanent galleries page on the Thinktank site to confirm what is on display.

Is Thinktank good for babies and toddlers?

Yes, the facilities are set up for them. There is a baby changing room, highchairs in the café and coffee corner, a microwave for warming bottles and food, a picnic area and toilets on every level. MiniBrum is built at child size.

Official sources: birminghammuseums.org.uk · birminghammuseums.org.uk

Last checked: 10 October 2026 against the pages linked above. Prices, opening hours and programmes change; the venue’s own site always has the current details.