Family Days
Our Family Days take place across the UK and give families affected by a brain tumour the chance to spend time together away from the hospital, meet other families and enjoy a day out without having to worry about finances.
The aim of The Brain Tumour Charity’s Family Days is to provide a fun, relaxing, and supportive experience for families affected by a brain tumour. Our Family Days also provide the opportunity for parents and children to meet others experiencing similar difficulties and share their stories.
We hold Family Days for families with a child living with a brain tumour and families with a parent living with a brain tumour. Families with children under 18 years can join our family day events.
All activities are free and we provide lunch drinks and snacks throughout the day. We may also be able to help with transport costs – please get in touch for more information.
We also hold Online Teen Events for anybody living with a brain tumour diagnosis, between 13-17 years old, in addition to our teen Instagram group/chat.
Spaces for our Family Days may fill up quickly. If you need any help with booking your family onto one of our events, please email our Children and Families team at childrenandfamilies@thebraintumourcharity.org or call us on 0808 800 0004 to be informed if spaces become available again.
On this page:
Upcoming Family Days
Upcoming Dates:
Allianz Stadium, Twickenham – Saturday 1st February 2025
For the first time ever, The Brain Tumour Charity are partnering with Spread A Smile to host a joint fun-filled family day for families with a child under 18, affected by a brain tumour.
The family day will be an interactive, immersive and entertaining family event, where you can meet others who understand, no explanation needed!
Find out more and book your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1036835652347?aff=oddtdtcreator
Please note this event is in collaboration with the charity Spread a Smile and open to families with a child under 18 who has had a brain tumour diagnosis. We will be running more Family Days for all families impacted by a diagnosis with a child/children under the age of 18, whether it is the child or adult who has the diagnosis, in the near future so please keep an eye on this page for updates.
Watch this space – More dates coming soon!
What happens at a Family Day?
Watch our video to learn more about our Family Days and hear the Mitchell family explain why they found attending an event helpful.
Family Day FAQs
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Family Days are for families with children under the age of 18 where either the child or parent is living with a brain tumour. Some of the activities may have a minimum age or height restriction, but you will receive information about this on the day, and we will make sure there are plenty of other things to keep your little ones entertained. We ask that all parents supervise and are responsible for their children throughout the day.
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Yes! Family Days are a great chance for children, siblings and parents to spend a fun day together. Please make sure you register each person who will be joining you on the day.
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We recommend that you wear warm, comfortable clothes and practical footwear. Wearing layers is a good idea so you can adjust your temperature as you warm up during the course of the day and don’t forget your wet weather gear, just in case! Long hair may also need tying up at some centres due to the types of activities.
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We will always send you an email with everything you need to know a week before but here is an overview of what you can expect:
A typical family day will start around 10:00am and finish around 16:00.
When you arrive, a member of the team will sign you in and we gather for light refreshments as we wait for all the families to join us.
Once everyone has arrived, there will be a brief welcome talk from one of the staff team, who will run through the day’s activities.
You will then be free to take part in the activities at your leisure, or take some time to relax if you wish.
Around midday we provide lunch, followed by more fun in the afternoon!You and your family can take part in as little or as much of the planned activities as you wish, the main thing is your enjoy the day together and meet new friends!
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Yes, lunch is provided and light refreshments will be available during the day. If you have any dietary requirements please let us know at the time of booking so that we can accommodate these. You are also welcome to bring your own additional snacks or drinks if you wish.
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Absolutely! The British weather is notoriously unpredictable so please keep an eye on the weather forecast and bring wet weather gear if it looks a little soggy. This is dependent on the venue, but at most centres a large part of the day’s activity will take place outside, so please come prepared.
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There will be access to an indoor space, but we cannot take responsibility for any possessions left unattended. If you leave something behind on the day, we will do our best to return it to you.
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We don’t want there to be any barriers to you and your family coming along to a Family Day. We may be able to offer support in booking travel or accommodation for the night before, so you rest well and are ready to go. Please get in touch using the contact details below if you’d like to talk to someone about this.
Email: childrenandfamilies@thebraintumourcharity.org
Phone: 0808 800 0004
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Yes, absolutely. Our Family Day venues are appropriate for those with access needs. Some activities may have restrictions as this can vary between activity centres, but we will do our best to ensure there is plenty for everyone to do. If you need assistance from another person we ask that they too register for the event.
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We understand that things can change from the time of booking which may mean you aren’t able to attend as planned. Please do let us know as soon as possible if you are no longer able to attend so that we can make appropriate arrangements.
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Our staff team will be on hand to help should you need anything throughout the day. We’ll be wearing charity t-shirts and hoodies so if you need anything please let one of the team know as we’d be more than happy to help.
As we take photographs throughout the day we ask for photo permission when you register. If you do not want you/your child’s photo taken please inform a member of the team when you arrive on the day.
Previous family days:
2024
Tamworth SnowDome
For our final family day of 2024, we headed for our annual trip to Tamworth’s indoor SnowDome for snowball fights, sledging and the chance to meet Santa’s reindeer!
Willows Activity Farm
Families joined us for a fun day with farm animals, tractor rides, shows, and acre upon acre of adventure play!
Paignton Zoo
Families joined us at this wild venue with over 2,000 different animals set in naturalistic indoor and outdoor exhibits, plus adventure play areas and a peaceful nature trail.
Manchester LEGOLAND Discovery Centre
In February families joined us at this brick-tacular venue for a day full of LEGO!
2023
Marwell Zoo
Our first family day of 2023 was on the 20th of May at Marwell Zoo!
This event has already taken place but you can read more about what we got up to here.
Bristol Aquarium
Families joined us under the sea for a day of fishy fun, and come face to fin with marine life from around the world!
You can read more about what we got up to here.
Tamworth SnowDome
For our final family day of 2023, we headed off for our annual trip to Tamworth’s indoor SnowDome for snowball fights, sledging and the chance to meet Santa’s reindeer!
Join our community on Facebook
Our closed Facebook group is a safe space online to connect with other parents who are affected by brain tumours.
Follow us on Instagram
Our private Teenagers Instagram Account is a safe place for you to share your thoughts, feelings and any questions you have.
Get in touch
For more information about Family Days please contact our Children and Families team: childrenandfamilies@thebraintumourcharity.org.
We also provide some information about holidays and breaks for families with a brain tumour.
A big thank you to the Lewis Moody Foundation (LMF) who also kindly support our Children and Families team in bringing our Family Days to life.
Support and Information Services
Research & Clinical Trials Information
You can also join our active online community.
In this section
My brother has a brain tumour
In our animation for children, Lily helps children understand what its like to have a sibling with a brain tumour.
Mummy has a brain tumour
This animation has been designed to help parents with a brain tumour explain what is happening to their children.
Get your free Brainy Bag
Our Brainy Bag is a free gift for children and young people who have been diagnosed with a brain tumour, made up of a range of handpicked toys and activities!