Sign the
commitment
Many adults remember spending hours outdoors, exploring local parks, riding bikes, knocking on friends' doors and finding their own adventures. Today's children are growing up in a very different world, where much of their social life, entertainment and exploration can happen through a screen.
Technology has brought many benefits, but childhood still depends on the same things it always has: play, relationships, movement, curiosity, independence and connection to the real world.
Some of childhood's most important lessons are learned away from screens. They are learned while climbing, building, exploring, creating, getting muddy, getting lost and finding the way back again. Real-world exploration helps children develop confidence, independence, resilience and problem-solving skills in ways that cannot be fully recreated online. It allows children to test themselves, take healthy risks, develop curiosity and discover what they are capable of. Whether it is exploring a local park, trying a new activity, visiting a community group or simply spending time outdoors with friends, these experiences help children build a connection to the world around them and a sense of belonging within it. In a smartphone world, giving children opportunities to explore real places, meet real people and have real adventures has never been more important.
Across Solihull, we’re really lucky. There are so many places where children and young people can get outside and just be themselves.
You’ve got spaces like Brueton Park (perfect for walks, play areas and feeding the ducks) and Elmdon Park (great for open space, swings and a relaxed family stroll). Meriden Adventure Playground offers something more adventurous with climbing, zip lines and creative play.
In North Solihull, Babbs Mill Park and Kingshurst Park are brilliant for meeting friends, playing football or just having space to run around.
Then there’s Blythe Valley Park, with open walks, play areas, an amazing BMX track and space to properly switch off.
But just as important are the spaces closer to home, playing out, knocking for friends, riding bikes, chatting, laughing.
These are the moments that matter.
What real life offers that screens don’t
Instead, children and young people get:
Family Hubs across Solihull offer free sessions including sensory play, baby groups and early support. These are relaxed, welcoming spaces where babies can explore and parents can meet others and feel supported. Click here for more information.
A calm and gentle way to bond with your baby while supporting relaxation and routine. These sessions also offer a chance to meet other parents and share experiences. Click here for more information.
Walks Short, pushchair-friendly walks designed for parents with babies. A great way to get out of the house, get some fresh air and connect with others. Click here for more information.
A lovely, gentle day out. Feed the ducks, use the swings and take a blanket to relax. Simple, calm and perfect for little ones.
Using baby-safe paint, create keepsakes that you’ll treasure. It’s messy, simple and perfect for capturing special moments.
Fill a basket with everyday items like a wooden spoon, scarf, sponge or citrus fruit and let them take things in and out, feel textures and investigate at their own pace. It’s simple, free and keeps them absorbed for ages.
Mix yoghurt with a small amount of food colouring for safe, sensory play. It’s messy, fun and perfect for exploring with little hands.
Watch aeroplanes take off and visit the free animal area. There’s loads of space to run around and explore. Click here for more information.
A safe indoor space where toddlers can explore toys, play and interact with others while parents connect and relax. Click here for more information.
Borrow books, enjoy story sessions, go to free events and start building a love of reading together. Click here for more information.
Is one of the easiest ways to keep toddlers engaged. Use items like cooked spaghetti, oats or coloured rice in a tray and let them scoop, pour and squish adding toys to create little worlds. It’s creative, calming and great for development.
Turn your kitchen into a music station. Loud, creative and lots of fun, just turn your pots over pass them a wooden spoon and let them get to it!
Is a simple activity that supports fine motor skills. Give your child dried pasta and a shoelace or string and show them how to thread it through, building coordination as they go. It’s a great quiet activity with real developmental benefits.
Fill a bowl or tray with water, add cups, jugs and toys, and let them pour, scoop and transfer. You can even turn it into washing their toys, making it both fun and useful.
Play music and freeze when it stops. Great for listening skills and lots of laughs especially when they are holding tricky poses!
A brilliant outdoor space for climbing, building and imaginative play with a real sense of freedom. Click here for more information.
From sports to scouts, music and dance, clubs help children build confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging and there ar so many groups in Solihull. Use my Solihull Maps or visit the Family Information Services website to see what is going on around you. Click here for more information.
Free holiday activities with meals for eligible children. A great way to stay active and social during school holidays and there are so many activities you can try out! Click here for more information.
Is a classic activity that never gets old. Use blankets, cushions and furniture to create a cosy space, then let your child turn it into whatever they imagine, a house, a hideout or a reading corner. It’s simple and keeps them busy for ages.
turns a normal walk into an adventure. Before you go out, ask your child to think of things to find, create a check list and then tick them off as you walk. It keeps them engaged and encourages curiosity about the world around them.
Snap, Dobble or pairs are simple card games that are great for building focus and memory. Pairs is great as a 1 player game - lay out 16 cards face down in a square, then turn over two cards at a time, trying to remember where each one is. If it’s a match, keep the pair and carry on until all the cards are cleared. It’s a simple but really engaging challenge, how quickly can your child clear the square?
Fill a bowl or tray with water, add cups, jugs and toys, and let them pour, scoop and transfer. You can even turn it into washing their toys, making it both fun and useful.
Tag or stuck in the mud are classic games that still work brilliantly. One person is “on” and tags others, who then freeze until someone frees them, keeping everyone moving and involved. It’s simple, active and perfect for playing with friends or family.
Make slime is a fun mix of creativity and science. Follow a simple recipe, then let your child experiment with colours, textures and add-ins until they get it just right. It takes a bit of patience, which is all part of the fun. Click here for more information.
Paper aeroplane challenges are great for problem-solving and creativity. Make different designs, test how far they fly and tweak them to improve. You can even turn it into a competition to see which works best. Click here for more information.
Try a little independence by encouraging small steps like walking a short route, knocking for friends or going to a local shop. These everyday moments help build confidence and life skills.
Visit Blythe Valley Park is perfect for a full day out. Bring bikes for the BMX track, enjoy the zip line and then take a walk through the nature reserve, it’s a great mix of activity and calm time. Click here for more information.
Decorate biscuits is a simple but creative activity. Give your child icing, food colouring and a pack of biscuits and let them design their own creations, it’s fun, expressive and (usually) delicious.
Go swimming is a great way to build confidence, stay active and have fun. Local leisure centres offer splash sessions and open swims for all ages, making it an easy activity to dip in and out of. Click here for more information.
Stargazing in Shirley Park is a really unique experience. Look out for visits from local astronomy groups where children can use telescopes to see the moon and stars up close, it’s something they won’t forget. Click here for more information.
Drawing and colouring challenges are perfect for quieter moments. If your child isn’t sure what to draw, create a random scribble and ask them to colour each section differently, turning it into their own unique picture.
Play Day at Meriden Park (summer) is a brilliant free day out for the whole family. With activities, games, sports and creative play from local organisations, it’s a chance to try lots of new things in one place. Click here for more information.
Learn more complex card games like rummy to build strategy and patience. Start with a standard deck and learn one game together, then build up from there. Click here for more information.
Sleepovers are a simple but powerful way to build friendships and independence. Keep it relaxed with snacks, a film or small activities like baking or games, often it’s the unplanned time together that matters most.
Fire pit sessions at Meriden Adventure Playground are a great way for young people to try something different in a safe environment. They can learn how to safely build and manage a fire, while also enjoying the zip lines, swings and space to explore. It’s hands-on, a bit adventurous and something they’ll remember. Click here for more information.
Make a meal from scratch is a brilliant way to build independence. Let your young person choose a meal they’d like to cook, find the recipe, check what ingredients are needed and help prepare it from start to finish, it’s a life skill as well as a confidence boost. Click here for more information.
Visit a local youth session is a great way to meet people and try new things in a safe space. Places like Urban Heard in Kingshurst, Winnr in Dickens Heath. Meriden Adventure Playground in Chelmsley Wood or Ordinary Magic’s youth sessions in Olton offer a mix of activities, support and social time.
Movie nights at home are still a favourite at this age. Let your young person choose a film, organise snacks and create a relaxed space to enjoy it together, it’s simple, but a great way to connect. Click here for more information.
Creative play (yes, still!) it is really important at this age. Activities like building challenges, making things or experimenting with ideas still appeal, especially when they feel a bit different or “not for little kids.” Our favourite? Give each kid in your house and egg and tell them in 30 minutes you will be dropping that egg from a height (4-6ft is good) then tell them they have that time to scavenge round the house and that they can use craft material and rubbish to make something that will stop the egg from breaking.
Go to Touchwood Shopping Centre with friends is almost a rite of passage in Solihull. Meeting up, getting food and just walking around chatting gives young people independence while still being in a safe, familiar space. Click here for more information.
Explore Solihull College. This is a great way to start thinking about the future. Looking at courses, visiting or attending family learning sessions helps make the next steps feel more real and less overwhelming. Click here for more information.
Spend time in local parks like Tudor Grange Park or Brueton Park is a simple but important way to switch off. Walking, talking and just being outdoors gives space away from pressure and screens.
Journalling or scrapbooking can really help at this age when there’s a lot going on. Writing things down, collecting memories or expressing thoughts creatively can support emotional wellbeing in a quiet, personal way.
Borrow books from the YA section of a library is often where a love of reading really begins. Encourage your young person to explore different authors and genres until they find something that clicks—it can make a big difference.
Learn something new like cooking, fixing bikes, knitting or trying a new craft. Following an interest and building a skill gives a real sense of achievement and independence.
The Great British Bake Off challenge at home is a fun way to bring everyone together. Each person chooses something to bake, prepares it and presents it to be judged, it’s creative, a bit competitive and always fun.
Play Sudoku or Chess are classic activities that build focus, memory and problem-solving skills. They’re especially helpful around exam time as they support concentration and thinking skills.
Listen to music together as a family by creating a shared playlist. Everyone chooses a few songs and talks about why they like them, it often leads to great conversations and shared memories.
Ask big questions and really listen, this age is full of opinions, ideas and values forming. Asking things like “What would you change in the world?” or “What matters most to you?” can open up meaningful conversations.
It could be a fantastic place to visit in Solihull, a local club, a favourite park, a family walk, a hidden gem, a rainy-day activity, a craft idea, a recipe you enjoy making together, a game your family loves, or even something creative you do at home such as slime making, den building or baking.
As part of Solihull IRL, we're creating a huge collection of ideas to help families spend more time together, have fun and make memories In Real Life. We want to hear your best ideas so we can share them with other families across Solihull.
The best suggestions will be featured on the Solihull IRL website, helping thousands of local families discover new activities and adventures.
The top 5 entries will each win a £25 voucher!
Whether it's a hidden gem in Solihull, a fun family tradition, a creative activity at home or your favourite way to spend time together, we'd love to hear from you!
Competition closes on 31st July with the winners announced on the 7th August.
Here are two videos we love suggesting you share with your child/young person. We recommend this video for 8-11 year olds.
This is a brilliant one to watch together. It’s simple, engaging and really brings the message to life without needing lots of explanation. It can open up really natural conversations like:
This one is great for 11-18 year olds (and adults too!) as it goes a bit deeper and works well as a talking point around time, pressure and social media.
It is great for starting more reflective conversations, for example:
Used together, these can be really powerful, not as lectures, but as a way to open up conversations and help young people reflect on their own choices.
Sign the commitment