Birmingham
IN THIS ISSUE
New Year, New You Winter What’s On Guide Children’s Mental Health
Issue 91 January/February 2026
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INTERVIEW
Meet the Head of The Blue Coat School This issue we talk to Mr Noel Neeson, Headmaster of The Blue Coat School Birmingham. The Blue Coat School is an Independent Preparatory School for pupils aged 3 – 11 founded in 1722 by the Church of England. The school vision is ‘Limitless learning for tomorrow’s achievers’ and the whole school takes great responsibility to provide the best all-round education possible to inspire and prepare young people for happiness and success in their lives. We talk a lot about Mr Noel Neeson giving that extra 5% , Headmaster not perfection, just the mindset that we li tl higher, higher h and d can always try a little harder, aim a little believe that nothing is out of reach. That attitude, I hope, becomes part of who our children are long after they leave us.
Daily Life at BCS What’s the best part of your day as a Head? The best part of my day is seeing the children around school finding joy in learning. It’s those moments that remind me why this job is my happy place.
What kind of community do you hope families find when they join your school?
What inspired you to become a teacher and later, a head teacher? My primary school teacher, Mr Dunn. Until I was in his class, I didn’t really enjoy school, but he completely changed my experience. He showed me the impact a truly exceptional teacher can have, and he inspired me to become the kind of educator children can look up to. As for becoming a head teacher, I still sometimes wonder how it happened! What drove me was a desire to make a difference on a bigger scale; to ensure fairness for every child and to create a school environment where pupils feel safe, supported, and able to thrive. I wanted a school that gives children everything: strong academic foundations, rich opportunities in music, sport, drama and more.
A welcoming, caring community with strong pastoral support. Although we are an academically selective school, our priority is that every child is happy and makes strong progress from their own starting point. You only get one chance at a childhood, so it has to count. That belief is what led me to create the BCS Blue assessment tool in 2020. I wanted something that looked beyond academics and helped us understand each child’s skills, values and attitudes.
What advice would you give to parents choosing a school? Go with your heart. Make sure you understand the school’s vision and where it’s heading, and don’t be afraid to ask staff about it. It’s important to see that everyone, not just the Head, is moving in the same direction.
Quick Fire: Getting to Know You
Getting to Know BCS
How would your pupils describe you? Hopefully kind!
How would you describe the ethos of The Blue Coat School?
If you weren’t Head of The Blue Coat School Birmingham, what would you be? Probably a lawyer, doing commercial law.
The Blue Coat School is an inclusive and welcoming community built on high expectations. The child is at the centre of everything we do: every decision, every opportunity, every ambition starts with what is best for our pupils.
Favourite school lunch? Sausage and mash
From a staff perspective, our expectations are equally high, but they are matched with genuine care and support. We recognise that our staff are our most valuable resource, and we are committed to providing them with the environment, training, and trust they need to do their jobs brilliantly. When our staff thrive, our children do too, and that principle sits at the heart of our ethos.
Summer term or Christmas term? That’s a hard one! Summer term.
Reading a book or going for a run? Run Sports day or school play? School play because I really enjoy seeing the children in a different environment.
Time machine or magic wand? Magic wand to make things happen exactly as I imagine them.
How do you think a Head can make a real difference to an individual pupil? For me, it’s about being present and approachable. Children notice when you take the time to stop, listen, and show genuine interest. I try to be a visible part of their day at drop-off, in assemblies and popping into lessons.
What do you believe children most need from their education today, and how do you make that happen here? I think children need balance more than ever. They should understand that hard work matters and that life can be competitive so they need the resilience, confidence, and self-respect to navigate a world that is changing rapidly. As Head, I try to shape that through the way I communicate with our whole community: pupils, parents, and staff. I hold myself to high standards and expect the same from everyone around me, but always in a supportive way.
2 Families Birmingham editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk
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CONTENTS
Happy New Year! May 2026 bring you health and happiness! Despite it being winter, there is still plenty of fun to be had and lots to look forward to! Take a look at our Winter What’s On guide where you’ll find lots of places to go and events for the whole family to enjoy locally including ideas for February Half-Term. Plus, our guide to family adventure holidays with teens and tweens will give you some inspiration if you’re planning to travel this year.
Contact us Claire Jones editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk 07938 657719 familiesbirminghammag familiesbirminghammag
Our New Year, New You feature offers some big ideas on small steps you can make as New Year’s resolutions that will improve your life AND that you can actually stick to. Meet the Head is back! This issue we interview Noel Neeson, Headmaster of The Blue Coat School Birmingham. Find out what inspired him to teach, what daily life is like at BCS, his advice on choosing the right school for your child and his favourite school dinner! Supporting children’s mental health is so important. Learn how to recognise anxiety in very young children and the power of emotional connection and the role that school’s play in supporting a child with mental health challenges. We also have some great advice for parents from Dr Danielle Grey, Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Director of The Purple House Clinic, Birmingham. In our Parenting feature, you’ll discover tips for lightening your own mental load this year and the importance of letting under 5s develop at their own pace. Whilst our Education section has great articles on the ideal window for STEM learning and preparing your child for exams. Finally, we have two giveaways this issue, Tickit Woodland Trail Treehouses (worth £39.99 each) and STEALTH Gaming Accessories bundles (worth £93 each)! Apply inside and receive our e-newsletter with more giveaways and an online version of the magazine to share with friends and family. Enjoy the magazine!
TH E B L UE
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Interview New Year, New You Page 6 Children’s Mental Health Winter What’s On Parenting Education Travel
NEXT ISSUE: March/April 2026
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Editor – Families Birmingham & Families Warwickshire
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Claire
In this issue
LIMITLESS LEARNING FOR TOMORROW’S ACHIEVERS An independent co-educational day school for children age 3 - 11 Register online by scanning the QR code The Blue Coat School Birmingham, Somerset Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B17 0HR @bluecoatbirmingham
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@bcsbirmingham
editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk Families Birmingham 3
NEW YEAR, NEW YOU
Resolutions that stick for 2026
Anna Houston is a freelance writer specialising in parenting and women’s lifestyle
By Anna Houston
Plan with purpose A little planning goes a long way. Set aside time each Sunday to reset so you feel calmer and more in control of the week ahead. Check the calendar, lay out uniforms and make a short to-do list. Pair it with a cup of tea, a podcast or a face mask, so it feels like self-care. Look at the bigger picture. Break your year into quarters and plan around family milestones. Avoid starting big projects in the busiest periods. Mapping goals to life’s rhythm makes them more achievable.
Double up on healthy habits Healthy habits can make life more fun. Meet a friend for a walk and takeaway coffee instead of sitting in a café or catch up at the playground and do a few squats while pushing the children on the swing. Pair up with a friend to start a mini ‘cook-along club’ where you try a new healthy recipe each week or introduce a ‘vegetable of the week’ challenge. Pick a fruit or vegetable you don’t usually buy and find ways to add it to meals - it keeps healthy eating creative and fresh.
Greener living, simplified Going green can feel overwhelming, so make one easy sustainable swap each quarter. If you commit to changing just four things throughout the year, by the end of it your life will have improved in four tangible ways. Last year we got a built-in water filter, swapped to an eco-friendly detergent, replaced plastic bottles with stainless steel ones and started growing herbs. They’re small changes but they’ve made our home feel more aligned with the way we want to live. 4 Families Birmingham editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk
Just move little and often Regular exercise is a way to care for your body and lift your mood. Think ‘little and often’ rather than ‘all or nothing.’ Walk the school run, take the stairs or park somewhere that adds a fifteen minute walk to your destination. Consider a fold-away treadmill or exercise bike that you can use while replying to emails or watching a film. Twenty minutes of steady movement is far more realistic than a rigid gym routine - and it still counts.
Change your self-talk Healthy living starts in your head, not your kitchen. Much of how we eat, move and care for ourselves depends on how we speak to ourselves. If your inner dialogue is self-critical, it’s time to change the script. Instead of focusing on what you shouldn’t eat, think about what will make you feel energised. Swap ‘I’ve ruined it’ for ‘I enjoyed that; now I’ll make my next choice a nourishing one.’ When you stop labelling food as ‘good’ or ‘bad’, you stop labelling yourself that way too and you build a healthier, more forgiving relationship with eating.
Family check-ins Life is busy and real conversation can easily go by the wayside. Eat together at least three evenings a week - no phones or screens and ask everyone to share the best and worst part of their day. It keeps family life connected. Although big days out are wonderful, small, consistent moments through the week are just as powerful. This includes time with your partner. My spouse and I hug for twenty seconds every morning. It’s simple but effective and helps us reset and start the day as a team. familiesonline.co.uk
NEW YEAR, NEW YOU January is full of big promises to ourselves - eat better, move more, stress less. But real growth comes from small , intentional steps that last. These ideas will help you build a calmer, healthier, more balanced life beyond the New Year.
Refresh your supplements Many of us reach for multivitamins without much thought but focusing on specific nutrients can make a difference - magnesium is worth attention. Supporting muscle recovery, hormone balance and deeper sleep, it can also help ease anxiety and improve focus. Low magnesium can show up in countless ways and many people are slightly deficient without realising. Restoring your levels can help you feel more balanced and energised. Everyone’s needs differ, so speak to a health professional if you’re unsure about changes.
The school holiday savings pot
Put a little money aside each month for school holidays so you can enjoy them with less financial stress. Many banking apps let you set up savings pots to stay organised. I have a ‘fun fund’ for my kids that covers days out, café trips and rainy-day activities. I also keep a small ‘pocket money’ pot for myself - guilt-free spending on things I truly want but would usually push to the bottom of the list. It’s a simple form of self-care that reminds me to look after myself too.
Time for fun
Set aside at least an hour each week for something that’s purely for you - a dance class, a puzzle, a walk with a podcast or a hobby you loved years ago. Treat fun as essential, not an afterthought; it recharges your patience and motivation for everything else.
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Lighten the load Little routines make home life feel easier. Have a two-minute tidy-up to a song with the kids before bed or wear comfy ‘house shoes’ to signal it’s time to get things done. The aim isn’t a spotless house - it’s a calmer one. Each month, clear one area - a drawer, your handbag, the car boot or your finances. Sort your purse, redeem old vouchers, cancel unused subscriptions. Decluttering little by little helps you feel lighter and more in control.
Keep a gratitude journal
Keep a notebook by your bed and write down three things you’re grateful for each night or morning. When life feels hard, it helps you notice the positives that might otherwise go unseen and shifts your focus from what’s missing to what’s working. Sometimes I just write three short sentences but it always makes me feel thankful for the life I have with my children and partner. It can also create moments of clarity about your goals, helping you see what’s genuinely important.
End the day calmly
Create a short bedtime routine just for you. We put so much effort into helping our children wind down - bath, pyjamas, story, lights out - yet rarely give ourselves the same care. Turn off screens thirty minutes before bed, wash your face, light a candle and wind down with a book, journal or quiet meditation. These small signals tell your body it’s time to rest, creating better sleep, a calmer mind and a gentler end to each day.
editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk Families Birmingham 5
CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH
Early years anxiety: the power of emotional connection By Stephanie Bradley In recent years, a quiet but powerful shift has been affecting our youngest learners. Children as young as ages 3 or 4 are increasingly showing signs of anxiety, low confidence and emotional dysregulation. These are not isolated cases and the trend is growing. Children today are facing challenges that often seem unimaginable for their age; the emotional demands on this group of learners are mounting. The impact may be subtle at first - withdrawn behaviour, tearfulness, tummy aches, avoidance - but if left unchecked, these early warning signals can develop into entrenched emotional difficulties. Recognising the signs of anxiety in the early years Anxiety in young children rarely announces itself clearly. It’s disguised by behaviours that might include acting up, sudden clinginess, speech regression, avoidance of group activities or difficulty settling into new situations. These are not ‘difficult behaviours;’ they are signals of emotional struggle in children who don’t have the vocabulary to talk about or even understand their feelings. That’s where early identification and emotional teaching become crucial.
Early intervention isn’t just beneficial, it’s foundational. Emotional literacy should be treated with the same importance as learning to read or count. Waiting longer to address these challenges means working against years of deeply ingrained patterns. The role of social emotional learning (SEL) Social Emotional Learning (SEL) has become a cornerstone of early years education for good reason. SEL promotes the development of emotional intelligence, empathy, self-awareness and the ability to self-regulate. When SEL is embedded early in the education experience and children are guided to discuss their emotions, they are more engaged, more confident and more capable of navigating daily challenges.
Why early intervention matters Research in child psychology and neuroscience tells us that early childhood is a critical period for emotional development. It is during these early years that children begin to form ideas about self-worth, belonging, empathy and how the world feels to them.
Stephanie Bradley is an HLTA Teaching Assistant working in SEN and mainstream primary education. She has recently published a social story designed to support children’s emotional development. Have You Helped Someone Sparkle Today? is an interactive picture book for children ages 3 to 7.
Stories and discussion
Daily acts of kindness
In my experience, one of the most effective strategies for emotional support has been interactive storytelling and structured discussions. This involves choosing stories that don’t just entertain but invite children to reflect, question and personally relate.
One of the simplest yet most profound ways to promote mental and emotional wellbeing in young children is to foster kindness - daily, visible, consistent acts of it.
Stories offer a safe space to explore emotions. Through characters, children can externalise their own fears and joys. We must create space for open-ended questions such as: ‘How do you think they felt?’ ‘What would you do?’ and ‘Why do you think she was sad?’ As a teaching assistant in both mainstream and SEN environments, I’ve seen children who had previously struggled to talk about their feelings, begin to open up when using stories designed with intentional prompts. This creates space for meaningful conversations that spark critical thinking and discussion. Fostering emotional literacy, kindness and critical reflection are not extras; they must be taught from the early years onwards and are as crucial as phonics and numeracy. The use of language, stories and discussion has a vital role to play in the development of these skills.
6 Families Birmingham editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk
This isn’t about the grand gestures but the small ones: helping a friend tidy up, offering comfort to someone who is sad, saying ‘thank you’ or ‘well done.’ I’ve found that when kindness becomes a classroom norm, anxiety diminishes. Children begin to look out for each other. They feel safer, more valued, more included. And from that place of emotional safety, they are more willing to take learning risks, to participate, to grow. Kindness, empathy and connection are not soft skills. They are essential life tools. My experience already confirms that early emotional education changes lives. I’ve seen children who once cried every morning grow into confident classroom leaders. I’ve seen anxious children begin to open up when given safe ways to express themselves. And I’ve seen children with additional needs blossom when their feelings are acknowledged and respected.
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CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH
Helping Your Child with Worry and Anxiety Just like adults, children sometimes feel worried. However, if those worries begin to overwhelm them or affect their wellbeing, there are supportive steps you can take. Talk About It: Encourage your child to talk about their feelings. Make conversations about emotions a normal part of the day, like during mealtimes or car rides. Let them know it's okay to open up. Listen and Validate: It can be hard to see your child struggle but try not to dismiss their worries. Instead of saying “there’s nothing to worry about,” listen calmly and help them feel heard. Ride the Emotion Wave: Emotions rise and fall like waves. Teach your child to “ride the wave” using calming tools such as deep breathing, playing outside, or engaging in relaxing activities. Creating a self-soothing box filled with comforting items like photos or textures can help too. Challenge Anxious Thoughts: Anxiety often brings negative thoughts. Help your child notice these and explore why they may not be true, just like spotting a bully's voice. Use a Worry Box: Writing worries down and placing them in a box can help children let go of anxious thoughts and talk through them later with support. Seek Help: If anxiety persists, consult your GP or a professional service like the Purple House Clinic for guidance. Dr Danielle Grey is a Clinical Psychologist and the Clinical Director for the Purple House Clinic, Birmingham. The clinic is based in Coleshill and offers private psychological health care. For more information visit www.purplehouseclinic.co.uk or call 0121 820 7851.
Spot, Support, Refer: the role of schools in children’s mental health by Erin Miller Children’s mental health needs have increased sharply in recent years. According to NHS data, around one in five children ages 8 to 16 now has a probable mental health disorder, up from one in nine in 2017. Symptoms include anxiety, low mood and eating difficulties. While schools are often the first to notice when something is wrong, many have limited resources to meet emotional needs. So, what are your child’s school’s obligations in relation to mental health? Understanding what falls under the umbrella of mental health can be confusing. Mental health refers to a person’s emotional, psychological and social wellbeing - how they think, feel and cope with life. Not every instance of behavioural change is a diagnosable mental health condition: temporary stress and friendship issues are normal ups and downs of growing up. Ideally, schools and parents should work together to identify patterns of behaviour, rather than one-off instances. While schools have a duty of care to safeguard pupils and promote wellbeing, this does not extend to diagnosing or treating mental health conditions or offering clinical-style interventions. Their legal duties focus on noticing, recording and referring concerns to GPs, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) or educational psychologists. Under the Equality Act 2010, schools must make reasonable adjustments if a mental health difficulty amounts to a disability and under safeguarding laws, they must act if a child’s safety is at risk. Where needs are long term and significantly affect education, these can be recognised through an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), which sets out the support the school and local authority must provide. To receive an EHCP, it must be shown that the child’s needs have a clear impact on learning and require additional support beyond what the school can usually offer. familiesonline.co.uk
What schools are NOT legally obligated to do State-maintained schools are not legally required to provide clinical treatment, counselling or employ mental health professionals. They are also not obliged to have a separate mental health policy and they are not responsible for managing or funding long-term clinical care or replacing NHS services. Schools don’t have to tailor the entire curriculum for mental health reasons unless a child’s needs amount to a disability or are formally set out in an EHCP. Finally, schools are not required to automatically authorise absences due to anxiety, low mood or other emotional distress without supporting medical evidence. Erin Miller is a teacher with a keen interest in how research can be used in the classroom to improve learning. editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk Families Birmingham 7
WHAT’S ON
Winter Fun for all the family A guide to What’s On in the West Midlands Events
National Brick Events - Coventry Sports Connexion Leisure Club & Venue, Ryton-on Dunsmore 11 Jan A must for all LEGO lovers! See the magic of LEGO brought to life in the many brick-built displays, browse rare retired LEGO sets and minifigures and get creative in the play area where you can sit and play with hundreds and hundreds of LEGO bricks. Family tickets available. www.nationalbrickevents.co.uk/ev ent/coventry Sing-a-long-a Matilda The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham 17 Jan (14:00) Watch the film, learn the dance moves and use your FREE props bag to fully immerse yourself in the story. Fancy dress is strongly encouraged and full audience participation essential! Age guidance 4+ www.atgtickets.com Sing-a-long-a The Greatest Showman The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham 17 Jan (19:00) Watch the film, learn the dance moves and use your FREE props bag to fully immerse yourself in the story. Fancy dress is strongly encouraged and full audience participation essential! Age guidance 4+ www.atgtickets.com
Feb Half-Term
Big Garden Birdwatch 23 – 25 Jan Play your part in the world’s largest garden wildlife survey. Get your FREE guide online and spend an hour on one of the designated dates watching the birds on your patch and record the birds that land then tell the RSPB what you saw (submit online or by post). Simple, fun and FREE! www.rspb.org.uk
The 2025 Birmingham International Tattoo bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham 14 - 15 Feb A parade unlike any other! Experience the massed marching bands, pipes and drums, fast-paced field gun competition, the flyball dog racing competition plus massed dancers. The pomp and pageantry of this amazing spectacle includes something for all the family. www.bppulselive.co.uk
Tap Factory Lichfield Garrick Theatre & Studio 10 Feb A clever blend of dance, percussion, acrobatics and comedy, led with gusto by a troupe of artists who have captivated audiences worldwide. Fast-paced, furiously funny, and perfect for the whole family! www.lichfieldgarrick.com
The Magic of Science: High Voltage Midlands Arts Centre 15 Feb Hang on to your seats in this action packed, colourful, interactive, magical science show suitable for the whole family filled with mystery, suspense and lots and lots of mess! www.macbirmingham.co.uk
Birmingham Light Festival Birmingham City Centre (Various locations) 12 - 15 Feb (18:00 – 22:00) See the city in a different light this winter as a series of city centre locations are transformed into a FREE, spectacular gallery of illuminated artworks for all to enjoy and explore. www.birminghamlightfestival.co.uk KPOP Demon Hunta'z Live 13 Feb Shrewsbury Theatre Severn 17 Feb Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham 28 Feb Walsall Arena High-energy, K-POP inspired tribute packed with explosive choreography, playful audience interaction, and theatrical flair. With dance routines, freestyle moments, and even a mini catwalk competition, this 70-minute spectacle transforms the crowd into part of the show - Feel like a true Demon Hunter! www.ticketnation.uk
Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour 2026 Utilita Arena, Birmingham 23 – 25 Jan See your favourite celebrities, professional dancers and judges from the nation’s favourite TV show, up close and LIVE, delivering all the glitz, glamour and feel-good fun needed to banish those winter blues. Start 2026 on a front foot and book today! www.utilitaarenabham.co.uk
Four Go Wild in Wellies Midlands Arts Centre 20 Feb A whimsical adventure featuring bobble hats, scarves, tents that have a life of their own and, of course, lots of fun in wellies! A playful dance show for children aged 3 – 5. www.macbirmingham.co.uk Horrible Histories – The Concert The Alexandra, Birmingham 20 & 21 Feb For the very first time, your favourite songs and actors from the CBBC TV series are appearing live on stage! For ages 5 to 105! www.atgtickets.com/birmingham Tales of Acorn Wood Lichfield Garrick Theatre & Studio 19 - 20 Feb Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved Tales from Acorn Wood stories are brought to life on stage for the first time in an enchanting liftthe-flap experience. Packed full of toe-tapping songs, puppetry and all the friends from Acorn Wood, this beautiful show promises to be the perfect treat for children of all ages. www.lichfieldgarrick.com Justin Time to Rock Town Hall 22 Feb (11:00 & 14:30) See CBeebies’ megastar Justin Fletcher live on stage, in an all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza packed full of well-known songs, lots of dancing, hilarious comedy and plenty of rocktastic fun! www.bmusic.co.uk
Museums & History Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Birmingham Visit the iconic Round Room, Industrial Gallery, Bridge Gallery, Tearoom and museum shop, plus a new family gallery, Wild City and Pixel Studio. Open Wed-Sun (10:00 – 17:00) FREE entry. www.birminghammuseums .org.uk/birmingham-museumand-art-gallery Black Country Living Museum Dudley Go back in time and explore 26 acres of carefully reconstructed shops, houses and industrial areas that represent the Black Country’s fascinating story. www.bclm.com
British Motor Museum Gaydon Explore over 400 British classic cars, take part in themed trails, experience touch screen exhibits and understand how a car works. Fun for all the family! www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk Royal Air Force Museum Cosford Full family day out, whatever the weather! Explore the skies and uncover the immense history of the RAF. Sit in a Spitfire, interactive VR experiences, simulators and 4D Theatre, plus aviation-themed playground. FREE entry. www.rafmuseum.org.uk /midlands
8 Families Birmingham editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk
Sandwell Museums Sandwell, Various locations Explore a range of different museums including Haden Hill House Museum and Haden Old Hall, Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery, Oak House Museum – West Bromwich, Bromwich Hall Museum, Galton Valley Pumping Station and Bishop Asbury Cottage. Mostly FREE to visit. Seasonal activities. www.sandwell.gov.uk/museums Selly Manor Museum Birmingham Step back in time to discover how the Tudors cooked, dressed and lived. Explore the parlour, dining hall, kitchen and bed chamber. Dress up in replica costumes and suit of armour. FREE children’s trail. www.sellymanormuseum.org.uk
Zoobee's Magic Academy – A Magical Adventure! Hatton Adventure World, Nr Warwick 14 - 22 Feb Join Zoobee for a magical experience where children can learn enchanting tricks, watch mesmerising shows, and embark on a Zoobee hunt! Your Magic Academy ticket also includes full entry to Hatton Adventure World, with all-day animal handling, falconry displays, fairground rides, soft play and Slide Mania, guinea pig village, and so much more. Book online. www.hattonworld.com Tinker | Make | Play Engineers – Old vs New Coventry Transport Museum 14, 19, 21 Feb (11:00 – 15:30) Become the next generation of inventors and get creative in this family workshop where you will playfully explore differences and similarities between old and new stuff. Drop in, included with admission to the museum. www.transport-museum.com Warwick Castle Warwick 14 - 22 Feb (10:00 – 16:00) Arrows at the ready… as the Festival of Archery takes over the castle this half-term. Watch the castle’s expert archers take centre stage with live shows, daring challenges, interactive quizzes, hands-on archery sessions and a spectacular grand finale shoot-off. Plus, Zog Playland, Horrible Histories Maze, Winter Birds of Prey, The Princess Tower, Great Hall and State Rooms. www.warwick-castle.com February Half-Term Family Fun National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire 16 – 20 Feb (10:00 – 16:00) The National Memorial Arboretum has something for all ages this half term, from FREE drop-in arts and crafts and the Stick Man outdoor trail to bookable Shadow Puppetry sessions and the Arbie Eye-Spy Winter Outdoor Trail (£2.50 per person). www.thenma.org.uk Kingsbury Water Park Sutton Coldfield Campfire Crumpets & Dens (Age 5+) 17 Feb (10:30, 12:30, 14:00) Natural Birdfeeder making 18 Feb (10:30) Wrap up warm and join in with some outdoor fun this half-term! Booking essential. www.countryparks.warwickshire .gov.uk/activities familiesonline.co.uk
WHAT’S ON
Theatre Birmingham Hippodrome Birmingham Robin Hood Sat 20 Dec – Sun 1 Feb 2026 Age Recommendation: 5+ www.birminghamhippodrome.com
Crescent Theatre Birmingham BYT Goldilocks Fri 9 – Sun 11 Jan Ballet of Lights: Cinderella Fri 23 Jan & Thu 12 Mar Age Recommendation: 5+ www.crescent-theatre.co.uk
Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Hall Sutton Coldfield Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Wed 4 – Sat 7 Feb Sutton Coldfield Musical Youth Theatre: The Wizard of Oz Tue 17 – Sat 21 Feb www.suttoncoldfieldtownhall.com
Symphony Hall Birmingham CBSO 2025/26: Family Concert: Tunes & Tales Sun 22 Feb Age Recommendation: 6+
Town Hall Birmingham Justin Time to Rock Sun 22 Feb Tom Gates: The Show Sun 1 Mar www.bmusic.co.uk
The Alexandra Theatre Birmingham Diversity – Soul 2026 Wed 11 – Sat 14 Feb KPop Demon Hunta’z Live Tue 17 Feb Horrible Histories – The Concert Fri 20 – Sat 21 Feb Massaoke – Sing the Musicals Fri 27 Feb www.atgtickets.com
The Core Theatre Solihull Flowers and Friendship Bracelets Sun 15 Feb The Three Billy Goats Gruff Fri 20 Feb Treasure Island Fri 20 – Sun 22 Feb Age Recommendation: 7+ www.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk
The Rep Theatre Birmingham Anansi the Spider Until Sun 11 Jan Age Recommendation: 4-8 Search for the Second Star: Reimagined Sat 24 Jan The Three Little Pigs: The Musical Mon 16 – Tue 17 Feb Age Recommendation: 4+ The Gruffalo’s Child Fri 20 – Sun 22 Feb Age Recommendation: 3+ www.birmingham-rep.co.uk
DON’T MISS!
Days Out
Ash End House Children’s Farm Tamworth Hands-on family-friendly farm. Entry includes animal feed, tractor-trailer ride, pony-sit-on and lots of animal interaction. Outdoor play areas available. Great for children parties! www.ashendchildrensfarm.co.uk Cadbury World Birmingham Enjoy a day choc-full of fun and discover the story of how Cadbury Chocolate is made. Interactive factory tour with demos, exciting rides, meet Cadbury characters. With plenty of chocolatey treats! www.cadburyworld.co.uk
Wolf Run Junior 2026 Get a taste of the action and enjoy wild running and obstacles at the Wolf Run Junior events in 2026. Open to 7 - 17-year-olds*, the junior course is 3km long and can be completed once or twice. It’s designed to challenge, thrill and inspire young runners and is the ultimate fun day out for friends and families. Why not get a pack together? Every 5th runner goes FREE! Book for all three seasons in one go by 30th April and receive a FREE Trilogy shirt and a 10% discount. Spring Wolf Junior Summer Wolf Junior Autumn Wolf Junior
26 Apr 14 Jun 13 Sep
The Offchurch Bury, Warwickshire Stanford Hall, Leicestershire The Offchurch Bury, Warwickshire
*All junior wolf runners must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Wolf Run Trails 26 Apr The Offchurch Bury, Warwickshire Pure, off-road running through the stunning landscape – without the obstacles and mud pits! Perfect for families and young runners*, experienced runners or first-timers. 3k for age 7+, 5K for age 10+ and 10K for age 15+. *Ages 7 – 11 must be accompanied by a paying adult.
www.thewolfrun.com familiesonline.co.uk
Discover Dudley Dudley Visit the heart of the Black Country with so much to see and do in the borough from famous visitor attractions, historic buildings, beautiful nature reserves and parks. There’s something for all the family! www.discoverdudley.org.uk Drayton Manor Tamworth Epic fun awaits at this family-focused Theme Park with over 50 rides, Thomas Land - a dedicated area for younger visitors and a 15-acre Zoo. www.draytonmanor.co.uk LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Birmingham Get creative and have fun with your favourite LEGO characters in Miniland, the 4D cinema, the Kingdom Quest Ride, LEGO City Softplay and so much more. 50% off with certain local postcodes. www.legolanddiscoverycentre.com National Sea Life Centre Birmingham Visit the Aquarium with the UKs only 360-degree ocean tunnel and over 60 displays of freshwater and marine life. Quieter SEND sessions first Sun of every month. 50% off with certain local postcodes. www.visitsealife.com/birmingham
National Trust Birmingham and West Midlands Wrap up warm and explore the outdoors this winter at our local National Trust properties: Birmingham Back to Backs, Roundhouse, Wightwick Manor and Gardens, Clent Hills & Moseley Old Hall. Each property has its own unique family activities so why not visit them all. See individual websites for details of half-term activities. www.nationaltrust.org.uk SnowDome Tamworth Have fun all year round at the Indoor Snow Centre. With real snow for skiing, snowboarding and snow fun activities like tobogganing and snow play. Plus ice skating, swimming and seasonal events. www.snowdome.co.uk Statfold Country Park Tamworth Everything you need for a fun family day out! Steam train, Toby’s Barn soft play, world-renowned locomotive museum, shop, café, vintage carousel ride, colouring station, outdoor games and play park. www.statfold.com ThinkTank Birmingham Four floors of fun to explore, bursting with more than 200 hands-on hightech displays alongside historical collections and natural science specimens. Fun and educational! Autism friendly sessions. www.birminghammuseums.org.uk /thinktank Twycross Zoo Atherstone With over 100 animals, The Gruffalo Discovery Land, animal experiences, nature reserves, soft play and much more! Pay for a day and visit FREE for 12 months. Don’t miss Lanterns of the Wild (Selected dates until 22 Feb) www.twycrosszoo.org West Midlands Safari Park Bewdley Four-mile drive-through safari with h over 100 different species throughout the park. Plus theme park and dinosaur exhibit. Stay overnight in a Luxury Safari Lodge. FREE return visit within 6 months. www.wmsp.co.uk
editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk Families Birmingham 9
PARENTING
The invisible mental load and psychology of rest By Dr Sasha Hall As a psychologist and a parent of two young children, I have seen both professionally and personally how easily the invisible mental load builds up. This load is the ongoing, often unseen mental effort required to keep family life functioning. It includes not only the physical tasks of daily life but also the constant background thinking that ensures these tasks happen at the right time and in the right way. It is the invisible spreadsheet running quietly in the mind, updated in real time as family needs change. For many parents (generally mothers), this mental load can feel like carrying an endless list of responsibilities in their minds. It might include planning meals, remembering school events, booking appointments, checking that uniforms are ready and ensuring everyone has what they need for the day ahead. Alongside this are seasonal or longer-term considerations such as holidays, birthdays or preparing for school transitions. Even positive events, such as planning a family outing or helping with a costume for school, can add to the mental noise. These are all small, individual thoughts that combine into a continuous mental hum. In homes shared with partners or older children, there can also be what psychologists call cognitive unloading, where others rely on one person to hold or manage the shared mental information. Questions such as: ‘Where are my keys?’ or ‘What are we having for dinner?’ might seem trivial, but they represent moments where someone else is temporarily renting space in a parent’s mind. Over time, these repeated small intrusions can add to feelings of exhaustion and reduce the sense of mental clarity that is essential for wellbeing. When this happens frequently, the parent may begin to feel as though they are the project manager of the household, responsible for doing, remembering, prompting and anticipating. Research shows that cognitive rest is just as important as physical rest. Rest is not merely the absence of doing; it is the presence of mental recovery. When we rest effectively, the brain has the opportunity to consolidate memories, regulate emotions and restore executive functioning. These are the higher-order
skills that allow us to plan, problem-solve and make decisions. Just as muscles need recovery after exertion, our brains also need space to decompress and reorganise. Without sufficient rest, the brain’s capacity for emotional regulation and attention control diminishes. This can lead to increased irritability, forgetfulness and a sense of being mentally overloaded. For parents, especially mothers carrying multiple invisible demands, this may mean feeling less patient with children or partners and finding it harder to remain present in moments that should bring connection and enjoyment. The psychology of rest reminds us that rest is not indulgence but maintenance. It allows us to sustain the very skills that underpin both parenting and professional life. Creating even small opportunities for rest throughout the day can help regulate the nervous system and restore emotional balance. This might include brief moments of quiet reflection, mindful breathing or simply allowing the mind to wander without purpose. When rest is prioritised, parents often describe feeling more grounded, more able to engage meaningfully with their children and more confident in managing the continuous mental load. In essence, rest is not about doing less but about replenishing the mental space that allows us to think, care and respond effectively. Recognising and sharing the invisible work that goes on in our minds is the first step toward valuing rest as a psychological necessity rather than a luxury. Dr Sasha Hall is an HCPC-registered Senior Educational and Child Psychologist and founder of Hall & Co Educational Psychology Services (www.hallandcoeps.co.uk).
Make the invisible ‘visible’
The science of mental rest
Much of the mental load remains unseen because it is carried silently. Psychological research shows that when cognitive effort is invisible, others are less likely to appreciate its weight.
Mental rest does not always require sleep or silence. Research into attention restoration suggests that simply engaging in gentle, absorbing activities such as walking outdoors, listening to music or spending time in nature allows the brain to recover from focused thought. During rest, neural pathways related to creativity and problem-solving become more active. This helps restore a sense of clarity and perspective, enabling a parent to return to their daily roles with improved focus, emotional balance and a stronger sense of self.
Externalising these thoughts can help make them visible. This might involve sharing responsibilities through open discussion, writing down tasks that occupy mental space or gently drawing attention to how much co-ordination is involved in daily life. When the invisible becomes visible, families can develop a greater appreciation of one another’s mental and emotional contributions. 10 Families Birmingham editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk
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PARENTING
Allowing your child to develop at their own pace By Helen Zimprich Children are different - we all know that. Yet we often find ourselves comparing them. Why can my neighbour’s daughter speak so clearly at two and a half while my daughter says only a few words? Why can my friend’s son eat on his own while my son still needs my help? From potty training to dressing themselves or sleeping through the night, the comparisons never seem to end. I’ve been there myself. I have three children and each one is unique. My daughter was independent from an early age, while my little son has always been deeply attached to me. She could dress herself and put on her shoes before pre-school; he needed me beside him until he reached age 6. At first, I thought he was doing it on purpose, to test my patience. But during parenting training, I learned something essential: every child’s brain develops at its own pace. My daughter’s brain was ready for independence in certain areas but my son’s wasn’t yet. His need for my presence wasn’t manipulation, it was purely developmental. He simply felt safe when I was near and that safety allowed him to learn to put on his shoes. It’s important for us parents to understand how the brain develops. It has three main parts. The right side of the brain is responsible for emotions - that’s why toddlers have such big feelings and frequent meltdowns. The left side, which handles language and logic, only begins developing around age 3 and matures much more slowly.
So when my son wanted me next to him while putting on his shoes, it didn’t make sense to my logical adult brain but it made perfect sense to his still-developing one. As parents, we need to ask ourselves: Is my child not willing or simply not yet able? Most of the time, it’s the second one. When we shift our perspective from frustration to understanding, everything changes. We stop expecting our children to hurry up and start meeting them where they are. It’s worth remembering that rather than your child giving you a hard time, your child is having a hard time. It’s tough having so much to learn! And your calm, loving presence is exactly what helps them through it. Helen Zimprich (www.helenzimprich.com) is a certified Parenting Coach who helps working mothers set healthy boundaries and supports them to create strong connections with their kids through calm, conscious parenting. Follow her on Instagram.
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When children are angry or having a meltdown, lecturing or explaining doesn’t help; their brains simply aren‘t receptive. As parents, our task at that moment is to calm. We need to connect before we correct. That means helping our child feel safe again through a gentle tone, a soft touch or simply being present without judgement. Only when our child‘s nervous system has rebalanced - when they’re back in the ‘green zone‘ - can their brain process our words. That’s the moment when gentle guidance can be heard. Imagine your child is eating cookies. You say ‘stop’ after the third and your child starts screaming. You stay calm, comfort your child, validate the feelings and wait until the big emotions pass. Then, when things are calm, you gently say: ‘I know how that feels. It would be so nice to eat as many cookies as we want! But if we eat too many, our tummies will start to hurt.’ Choosing connection over correction teaches our children emotional safety, empathy and self-regulation.
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EDUCATION
Preparing your child for exams By Gail Hugman We all went through exams to get where we are today and know that the experience can be challenging. With exam results affecting school and university choices, it is worth helping our children prepare so they get the best results. Many parents choose to tutor their children, which can be useful if they are lacking in content or need extra practice but what else can you do to help? Preparing yourself is as important as preparing your child! Whether it is 7+, 11+, 13+, SATs or CATs, download an example of the exam papers from either the government website for SATs or the schools you are applying to. In this way, you and your child will know what to expect. Your child may need to be reminded that what they’re being taught in school in English, maths and reasoning especially, is going to help them when they sit the exams, so they need to listen carefully and concentrate in lessons. Many children also need to be told that if they don’t understand the lesson, they need to ask their teacher for help. Check your child feels confident to do that. Many don’t because they are worried about ‘what other children will say,’ so remind them that you’re there to help and can ask on their behalf. Exams are always timed but it’s difficult for a child to know how much they can do in a certain length of time! To help them judge this more accurately, you can help them prepare by timing homework activities.
Firstly, check with your child’s teacher how long they are meant to spend on a piece of homework and give them that amount of time. If the work is not finished in that time, reflect on it with your child and ask them what they think they can do to speed up next time. The most important thing that every parent can actually do to help their child, is to actively listen to them read at least three times each week, all the way up to 13+. Many children become ‘free readers’ between the ages of 6 and 7 years. They are thought to be ‘good readers’ because they decode and say all the words correctly. But comprehension requires a set of skills that develop after a child has learned to decode. Gail Hugman is the founder of Lessons Alive (www.lessonsalive.com), an organisation which helps children flourish. She’s also the author of several books, including the just-released Little Hum, a heartwarming children’s story about finding yourself, available from The Endless Bookcase at www.theendlessbookcase.com/books/little-hum
Activity to speed up your child’s work rate
Helping a dyslexic child prepare for SATs/11+
Use a two-minute timer, a picture that has lots of identical things to colour like the one above and a range of sharp colouring pencils.
A child is a good reader when they read fluently with expression (they respond to punctuation appropriately to do this), they know the main point of the text, they can infer (read between the lines), they can identify similes and metaphors and they can summarise.
Tell your child: ‘We’re going to watch as the timer runs for two minutes. When it’s finished, I’m going to ask you how many of these bugs you think you could colour in that time, with each section a different colour. There must be no white bits. Watch the timer while you think.’ When time is up, ask how many they think they can colour. Then, you are both going to find out. Set the timer again and watch them colour. If they colour less than anticipated, ask what slowed them down. If they don’t know, make a suggestion from your observations. Was it distractions? Choosing colours? Organisation? Ask them if they think there is anything they can do to speed up. Try again. Often, children won’t count how many pencils they need to do the job at the start and some of the time is lost choosing.
12 Families Birmingham editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk
Written comprehension requires them to read a passage in a given time (5-10 minutes), work out how the writer makes it scary/funny/sad (analyse), say what a character’s behaviour means (interpret), recognise what season it is from the description given (infer) and make a sensible suggestion for what happens next (predict). Your dyslexic child may be allocated extra time for exams but may need help to know what to do with it. Check how much time they have been allowed with the SEND teacher and ask what help they are being given to prepare. When listening to them read, it helps if you ask: ‘Which words make it scary/sad/funny?’ ‘Why did that boy run away?’ ‘How do you know…?’ ‘What will happen next?’
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EDUCATION PARENTING
The ideal window for STEM learning
TUITION PLUS
By Matt Newnham When children first step into school, they bring with them an unstoppable stream of curiosity. Why is the sky blue? How do birds fly? What happens if I mix these paints? For parents and teachers, it can feel relentless. Yet within those questions lies something essential. The years between ages 5 and 9 are when children form the attitudes that shape how they see the world, how they see themselves as learners and how they will approach science and maths for the rest of their lives. Why does this matter so much? Because science and maths are not simply school subjects. They are life skills. Science teaches us to question, to seek evidence and to change our minds when evidence changes. Maths teaches us to see patterns, to plan and to reason logically. UNESCO1 and the OECD2 have long argued that building scientific literacy early is essential for the future. The children of today will face challenges we can only guess at: climate change, new technologies and social change. A generation confident in science and maths will be better equipped to meet those challenges. It is about creating citizens who can think critically, solve problems and adapt. The habits of mind built between ages 5 and 9 will carry into adulthood. The window of curiosity The psychologist Jean Piaget3 described children ages 5 to 9 as moving from imaginative thinking into logical thinking. At age 5, children may still believe the moon is following them home. By age 9, they begin to understand orbits, shadows and gravity. This shift is not just about facts. It is about the development of a way of thinking, a move from magic to mechanism, while still holding onto imagination. Children between ages 5 and 9 are at their most curious and least self-conscious. They ask questions without worrying about being wrong. They explore without fear of failure. This is why researchers at King’s College London4 and the Institute of Education point out that attitudes to science and maths often solidify before age 10. By the end of primary school, many children have already decided whether they are ‘good at’ or ‘bad at’ these subjects. This decision is rarely based on ability. It is based on confidence and on how those around them respond to their questions. Confidence is built early Imagine a child who builds a tower of blocks. It falls. They try again. It falls again. They laugh, rebuild and eventually succeed. They have just practised the essence of scientific thinking: test, fail, try again, succeed. If an adult scolds or rushes them, they learn frustration. If an adult celebrates their persistence, they learn resilience.
TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY St James’ Church Centre B75 5BW
SATURDAY Harvest Fields Centre B75 5TJ
ZOOM SESSIONS Monday & Thursday evenings LITERACY & NUMERACY TUTORING Helping students achieve their true potential
Contact 07592 556 452
www.tuition-plus.co.uk The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA)5 has shown through multiple studies that early exposure to positive experiences in science and maths builds lasting confidence. The opposite is also true. A child who hears parents say: ‘I was never good at maths,’ or ‘Science is too hard,’ absorbs that belief. By age 7, those beliefs can become fixed. Yet science is creative and maths rewards persistence. Anyone can enjoy these subjects if given space to play, explore and make mistakes. Confidence is not about getting the right answer every time. It is about believing that problems can be solved, that experiments are worth trying and that effort is valuable. Between ages 5 and 9, mistakes should be celebrated. A wrong answer is not a failure. It is a step towards understanding. When children see adults laugh at a failed experiment or cheer at a messy attempt, they learn that learning is about the journey, not just the result. What can parents do? The most powerful thing parents can do is show interest. A child who sees their parent curious and open to learning learns that curiosity is valuable. Explore questions together. Instead of rushing to answer, ask: ‘What do you think?’ Use daily life. Cooking, shopping, gardening and travelling all contain maths and science. Read stories with STEM themes. Adventure tales can deliver scientific concepts in fun ways. Model positive talk. Replace ‘I can’t do maths’ with ‘Let’s work it out together.’ In the golden window when children decide whether they are explorers or avoiders, adults hold the power to guide them towards curiosity, confidence and joy. Matt Newnham is an author and writer with decades of business experience. Inspired by his career in IT, he created Space Ranger Fred to make learning fun and accessible for children. For more information, visit www.spacerangerfred. com
[1] https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/how-science-can-help-createsustainable-world [2] https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/pisa-2015-results-volumei_9789264266490-en.html [3] https://www.bxscience.edu/ourpages/auto/2014/11/16/50007779 /Piaget%20When%20Thinking%20Begins10272012_0000.pdf [4] https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/64130800 /10_Facts_ and_Fictions.pdf [5] https://ed.sc.gov/instruction/early-learning-and-literacy/earlylearning/nsta-position-statement-early-childhood-science-education
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EDUCATION
Independent Schools Birmingham, Solihull & Sutton Coldfield Norfolk House School Birmingham T: 0121 454 7021 www.norfolkhouseschool.co.uk Open Mornings: Fri 16 Jan 07:30 – 11:00 Sat 17 Jan 10:00 – 12:45 Priory School Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 440 4103 www.prioryschool.net
Prep and Junior Schools Edgbaston High School for Girls Pre-Prep & Prep Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 454 5831 www.edgbastonhigh.co.uk Hallfield School Pre-Prep & Prep Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 454 1496 www.hallfieldschool.co.uk Highclare School Pre-Prep & Prep Erdington, Birmingham T: 0121 373 7400 www.highclareschool.co.uk
St.George’s School Prep Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 625 0398 www.sgse.co.uk Open Morning: Tue 27 Jan 09:00 – 11:00 The Blue Coat School Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 410 6800 www.thebluecoatschool.com Open Morning: Sat 17 Jan 09:00 West House School Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 440 4097 www.westhouseprep.com Eversfield Prep School Solihull T: 0121 705 0354 www.eversfield.co.uk Open Morning: Sat 17 Jan
Ruckleigh School Solihull T: 0121 795 2773 www.ruckleigh.co.uk Open Morning: Sat 17 Jan 10:00 – 12:30 Solihull School Solihull T: 0121 705 0958 www.solsch.org.uk
King Edward’s School Birmingham T: 0121 472 1672 www.kes.org.uk King Edward VI High School for Girls Birmingham T: 0121 472 1834 www.kehs.org.uk
The Shrubbery School Sutton Coldfield T: 0121 351 1582 www.shrubberyschool.com
Priory School Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 440 4103 www.prioryschool.net
Senior Schools
St.George’s School Senior Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 625 0398 www.sgse.co.uk Open Morning: Tue 27 Jan 09:00 – 11:00
Edgbaston High School for Girls Senior Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 454 5831 www.edgbastonhigh.co.uk Sixth Form Taster Day: Wed 28 Jan 08:45 – 15:55 Hallfield School Seniors Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 454 1496 www.hallfieldschool.co.uk
Solihull School Solihull T: 0121 705 0958 www.solsch.org.uk
Register for open events online
Highclare School Seniors Erdington, Birmingham T: 0121 373 7400 www.highclareschool.co.uk
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TRAVEL
Top family adventure holidays for 2026 By Ellie Malt
Best for ages 6+
Ice cream and swimming are the usual highlights of a family holiday with children under age 10. Then it gets more complicated: once they have phones, family time must compete with constant updates from friends and let’s face it, hanging out with mum and dad isn’t quite as cool. No wonder adventure holidays designed specifically for tweens and teens are increasingly popular. Here are our top picks for 2026, for every age, taste and budget. Best for ages 6+
Best for ages 10+
Wild nights under the stars
Paddle and sail in the Lake District The Lake District is perfect for hardy families who love the outdoors. Try sailing on Windermere where sheltered bays make this manageable for beginners. Family-friendly sessions teach children to handle a small sailboat. Evenings can be spent around a campfire, with the mountains as a backdrop.
Safari adventure: Kruger National Park, South Africa Lodges near Kruger National Park offer game drives, opportunities to spot lions, elephants, giraffes and rhinos. Teens can learn about animal behaviour, ecosystems and photography, while the thrill of close encounters keeps them fully present.
Wild camping gives families a taste of freedom. Scotland is one of the few places where it’s legal almost everywhere, making the Cairngorms a perfect base for pitching a tent in breathtaking landscapes. Dartmoor National Park also offers wild camping and gentle trails. Sweden’s Right to Roam policy allows camping across much of the countryside; while Norway’s fjords and Finland’s lake districts provide safe trails and the chance to cook over a fire beneath the stars. Best for ages 10+
Snowdonia multiadventure Snowdonia offers a range of activities in one location. Older children and teens can soar on Europe’s fastest zip line at Zip World, while younger kids enjoy trampoline caverns. Families can also try guided rock-climbing or mountain biking on the park’s trails.
Best for ages 5+ Best for ages 8+
Rainforest thrills in Costa Rica and Sri Lanka
Caves, lakes and rapids: Slovenian adventures Slovenia offers a mix of outdoor thrills. A small train takes families deep into Postojna Cave, where vast chambers look like something from a fantasy film. Lake Bled is ideal for swimming and paddleboarding. For older children, Slovenia’s emerald-green rivers provide rapids through dramatic gorges. Some operators, like Green World Holidays, have group adventures aimed at single parents with teens.
A snorkelling adventure in Mexican caves Unlike full cave diving, snorkelling is typically shallow and safe. In the Sac Actun cave system, you can float in crystal clear freshwater with visibility often over thirty metres and experience stunning rock formations. Small fish and freshwater wildlife add to the adventure. Perfect for families who want to explore a cave system without the technical diving. familiesonline.co.uk
Many eco lodges cater to children while ensuring activities remain safe but challenging. Spotting monkeys on jungle hikes and rafting gentle rivers keeps kids moving. According to family adventure specialists, Stubborn Mule Travel, the rainforest is more appealing when flying through it on a zip wire or riding on the back of a bullock cart!
Best for ages 8+
Hopping across Europe by train
Best for ages 10+
Easier than you would think, few adventures feel as liberating as exploring with a backpack and a rail pass. Families can hop between Paris and Vienna or take slower routes through less-travelled cities like Ljubljana or Bratislava. Older children particularly enjoy the freedom of waking up in a new country each day, learning planning skills and navigating stations. editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk Families Birmingham 15
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The ultImate muddy adventure
3/6k Obstacle Course or Trail Run Under 12s must run with an adult
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