Birmingham Parent Magazine

Grown-ups, forget everything you usually tell your toddler about how to behave at the theatre. At Birmingham Children’s Theatre’s newest production, they’re encouraged to wiggle, make noise, move around and join in on the fun! Stay Awake, playing select Wednesdays and Saturdays this September at the BJCC, was created specifically for children ages 0–5, turning a familiar bedtime battle into a dreamy, interactive adventure filled with music, movement, puppetry, and imagination.

Need a last-minute fun date activity for this weekend? If you love live music—and supporting a local cause—you won’t want to miss The Backyard Benefit featuring Trotline. Coming to The Edge in Homewood on Friday, September 11, 2026, this is their third annual community benefit concert with proceeds benefiting Birmingham nonprofit Christopher Kids.

Want to see your little one in the pages of Pink&Blue, the special baby issue of Birmingham Parent Magazine? Simply fill out our quick form and upload your favorite photo for a chance to be featured. To protect your child’s privacy, no names or personal information will be published—only the photo.

You know you live in the South when there’s an entire festival dedicated to everything Southern, from the fried chicken and barbecue to the gospel music and more. The Southbound Food Festival is an award-winning ten-day celebration highlighting what is, arguably, the best and most important thing in the South: the food culture.

Looking to jet away? You can now hop on a non-stop flight to Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Raleigh-Durham, NC, from our own Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport with Breeze Airways. The low-fare carrier offers flights as low as $59 one way. Flights operate on Fridays and Mondays, making it ideal for those hoping for a long weekend getaway.

Early learning is getting a big upgrade in Alabama: The state is adding 64 new First Class Pre-K classrooms for the 2026–27 school year! The new classrooms are an attempt to meet the growing needs of the communities throughout Alabama and will be supported by the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE).

If it feels like your baby has had a runny nose since Labor Day, you’re not imagining it. For many families, September marks the beginning of what can feel like an endless cycle of sniffles, coughs, fevers, and doctor visits. All it takes is one child bringing home a virus from daycare before the entire family is fighting off the same bug. And just as everyone starts to feel better, another illness seems to make its way through the house.

Head to The Edge on Greensprings Highway to sample Scoop City, Homewood’s newest ice cream shop! The brainchild of Chef Nick Carpenter, Scoop City is part of the Tuff Love Hospitality (TLH) food empire, which also features Porky’s Pride Smokehouse, Nicky’s Sammie Shack, and The Que*Bicle. ”Each concept offers its own unique personality and menu while sharing the same commitment to exceptional flavor, quality ingredients, and genuine hospitality,” TLH’s website explains.

September is National Library Card Sign Up Month, so enjoy these book recommendations on libraries and books! First Library Card with Big Bird First Library Card with Big Bird by Whitney Sanderson For fans of Sesame Street, join Big Bird in learning all about what you need to know to get your first library card! The Library Book by Tom Chapin and Michael Mark The Library Book by Tom Chapin and Michael Mark Based on the hit song, jump into this fun read for a celebration of libraries and books.

There may be no conversation a parent fears more than asking, “Are you thinking about hurting yourself?” It’s a question many parents hope they will never have to ask—but mental health experts say asking directly, calmly, and without judgment can save a child’s life. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10- to 19-year-olds and it affects people of all backgrounds—no one is immune.