Sea Life Centre Birmingham: Is It Worth the Money? A Parent’s Honest Review…
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You know when your kids get obsessed with something, and suddenly your entire life revolves around it?
Well, for us, it’s Moana. We have the soundtrack on repeat, the quotes memorised, and I’m 99% sure both my kids think they’re in the film - my two-year-old believes she is Moana with her necklace and little flower hairclip and my four-year-old thinks he’s Maui running around with his fish hook singing You’re Welcome! So, in a moment of parenting genius (or desperation), I thought—let’s take them to see the ocean!
…Down the road.
Because let’s be real—flying to an actual tropical island wasn’t quite in the budget…
A Toddler-Friendly Ticket Hack 💡
I was over the moon when I found the Parent & Toddler Tickets on offer—a sneaky little weekday deal that actually works out a similar price to buying a normal adult ticket! So, if you’ve got a child under five, grab this bargain while you can!.
Penguins & Tiny Tunnels (Where I Almost Got Stuck)
It was January, so naturally, Birmingham was freezing, but we made it through the doors, where we were hit with warm air, the sound of waves, and the faint smell of popcorn (from where? No idea, but I wanted some).
First stop—penguins! 🐧
While waiting for a quick loo stop (because of course someone needed the toilet before we’d even started), we watched these little guys dive-bomb into the water like they were training for the Olympics. They were so cute!
Then, we entered the exhibits, and the first thing the kids spotted? Tunnels. Everywhere. And not just any tunnels—tiny, child-sized crawl spaces that made them feel like they were inside the tanks. They ran through every single one like they were on a mission.
I, however, made a poor choice.
"Oooh, I wonder if I could fit through this one!"
Narrator: She could not.
Let’s just say there was an awkward shuffle backwards, and I gracefully pretended that was totally the plan all along. Moving on.
Touching a Starfish & Meeting Moana’s Grandma
Next, we found the interactive rock pool, where the kids got to touch a real starfish. Now, if you’ve ever had a hesitant toddler, you’ll know the look—a mix of excitement, fear, and a “you do it first” attitude.
Luckily, the staff member was absolutely lovely—patient, chatty, and really great at making the kids feel comfortable. Before I knew it, my daughter was giving the starfish a gentle poke like a little marine biologist in training.
Then came the rays—which, to my kids, were Moana’s Grandma in real life. They stood there for what felt like forever, watching them glide past, waving at them every time!
And just when I thought they couldn’t be more fascinated, we stumbled across the octopus. And this was no ordinary octopus—this girl had built herself a little fortress inside her tank! One of the SEA LIFE staff told us she was quite shy but also super intelligent, so she’d been playing with a ball and rearranging the rocks. We stood there way longer than I expected, just watching her move, stretch, and think. It was honestly mesmerising—even the grown-ups were completely drawn in.
Then, we found the jellyfish room—a neon wonderland where glowing jellyfish floated through the water like little aliens. It was strangely very peaceful! There were tables inside this area, so we took a snack break (because toddlers + snacks = essential survival strategy) while the kids stared at the jellyfish, completely hypnotised.
The Grand Finale – The 360° Ocean Tunnel
And then… the moment we’d been waiting for.
The massive 360° ocean tunnel, where sharks, rays, and a giant sea turtle glided all around us.
The kids hesitated before stepping onto the glass floor (because hello, sharks underneath!), but once they realised it was safe, they absolutely loved it. We walked through at least ten times, each time pointing out something new—the huge rays, graceful sharks, the sneaky little fish hiding in the rocks, and one AMAZING giant turtle that looked like it had seen some things in its time.
"It Was Over Too Quickly!"
I’ve seen some reviews saying SEA LIFE is too short, and yeah—I can see how some people rush through it in under an hour.
But honestly? It’s all about how you do it.
We took our time, let the kids get properly stuck in, and made it last around two hours—which was actually perfect for our little ones. Any longer, and they would have started getting cranky.
We arrived just before 10am and by lunchtime, we were done, and just in time to head off for food before the kids got too hangry.
💡 Top tip: There are loads of great places to eat nearby, so plan for a meal afterwards!
Want to Visit? Here Are the Best Deals Right Now
If this sounds like the perfect day out for your little Moana fans (or if you just want to get out of the house for a few hours!), check out these offers before booking:
✔️ Parent & Toddler Ticket – Can work out cheaper Than a Standard Adult Ticket! (Weekdays, term-time only)
✔️ Annual Passes – Visit Again & Again for Less
✔️ 40% off for Local Residents - at time of writing this blog, people who live in certain postcodes get a big 40% discount on tickets to Sealife Center - check your eligibility here
✔️ Multi Attraction Tickets - Save up to 40% off Birmingham attractions, and have 90 days to see them all! (Legoland Discovery is practically next door so you could always pop here after lunch if you want to extend to a whole day of activities.)
✔️ Other Exclusive Discounts – Offers change all the time, so it’s worth checking before you book! - We sometimes get excusive discounts for Sealife Center so it’s worth checking back on MyFamily Rewards regularly.
🎟️ Find the best SEA LIFE deals here before booking!
Final Thoughts – Is SEA LIFE Birmingham Worth It?
Absolutely! If your kids are into the ocean (or just love animals in general), it’s a brilliant day out- we LOVED it and thought it was just the right length for my toddlers.
💰 Want to save money on even more family days out? Sign up for FREE to MyFamily Rewards and get access to exclusive discounts on days out, holidays, kids’ activities, and more.