Did you know that every child has the right to play?
To mark International Day of Play, Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure joined forces with Redbridge Council and community partners, including Frenford Club, Barkingside Art Club and Pottery in the Park, to celebrate the importance of play, creativity and learning through a week-long programme of activities across the borough.
International Day of Play, held annually on 11 June, was introduced by the United Nations in 2024 and is supported by UNICEF and UNESCO. The day shines a spotlight on every child’s right to play, learn and grow in a safe, inclusive environment.
As England’s first UNICEF UK Child Friendly Borough, Redbridge has gone one step further by offering an entire week of free and low-cost activities for children, young people and families. With so much happening across the borough, one day simply wasn’t enough.
Building Creativity in Our Libraries
Thanks to a generous donation of 40kg of LEGO® bricks, libraries across Redbridge have expanded their play offer for children and families. Alongside our popular regular LEGO sessions, new weekly sessions have been introduced at Seven Kings Library and Keith Axon Library every Saturday from 11am to 12pm.
Our libraries also provide opportunities for the youngest children to learn and play through stories, rhymes and songs. These sessions help children develop early literacy skills while giving parents and carers the chance to connect with others in their community.
Find out more about Stories, Rhymes and Songs at Redbridge Libraries.
Get Active with Free Parks Tennis
Looking to try something new? Free Parks Tennis sessions take place every weekend in Redbridge and are open to all ages and abilities.
Delivered by qualified Parks Tennis Activators, these fun and social sessions provide equipment and easy-to-follow activities designed to help everyone get involved. Whether you’re picking up a racket for the first time or returning to the court, it’s a great opportunity to meet new people and enjoy being active outdoors.
Find a free park session near you.
Explore, Discover and Create at Tech Ilford
Families can also enjoy Tech Ilford 2026, our annual celebration of innovation, creativity and hands-on discovery at Redbridge Central Library and SPACE Ilford.
The festival offers a range of interactive experiences exploring Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM), inspiring young people to learn through play and experimentation.
As part of the programme, Redbridge Museum has launched a brand-new STEM Trail through its displays. Visitors can follow clues, uncover fascinating stories of local inventions and discoveries, and collect a medal on completion. Suitable for all ages, the trail is particularly recommended for children aged 5 and over.
Find out more about Tech Ilford.
Discover More Activities
Children can also enjoy arts and crafts, board games and digital workshops at Redbridge Libraries, see below event listings for more information. Some activities require advance booking and places are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
To explore the full programme and discover all 64 activities taking place across Redbridge, visit the Redbridge Council website and browse the interactive map featuring activities delivered by partners from across the borough.
Together, we’re helping children and young people enjoy their right to play, connect with others, discover new interests and create lasting memories.
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