All the News at a Glance

On June 11, World Play Day draws attention to the right of children and young people to play. Today, digital games are an integral part of their lives. They open up opportunities for shared experiences, learning, and interaction—but they also often raise questions for parents. You can find guidance, helpful reviews, and tips at the NRW Game Guide.

Vacation time is photo time—and often, the family memories captured during these trips are shared online. But what risks does this entail? In the webinar “Children Are Not Content” on June 25, experts will discuss legal issues, risks, and ways to protect children’s photos, AI-generated content, and the sharing of images online.

Whether on a bike, balance bike, or scooter, a helmet protects children from serious injuries in traffic. In honor of Road Safety Day on June 20, we’ll show you what to look for when buying a bike helmet and why it’s essential for your child to be there to try it on.

Loneliness can affect anyone, including children, adolescents, and their parents. With the action alliance “You+Us=One. North Rhine-Westphalia Against Loneliness,” the state is sending a message of greater solidarity during the nationwide action week from June 22 to 28, 2026. It thrives on participation, exchange, and shared ideas.

For babies, toddlers, and pregnant women, the current temperatures can be a real strain. Now is the time to protect your family from extreme temperatures. It’s especially important: Never, under any circumstances, leave children in a parked car! We’ve put together some tips to help prevent health risks.

Children should never be left unattended while swimming. Even a brief moment of inattention can be dangerous. Even at supervised swimming pools or in the kiddie pool at home, parents are still responsible for supervising their children. The DLRG provides tips and advice on how to behave at lakes, in swimming pools, and at home.

The bke Parenting Counseling Service is offering an informative and interactive webinar for parents in September. This time’s topic: “Mom, What’s Wrong with You? – Talking to Children About Mental Health Issues.”

Our July issue is all about safety: Learn how to protect your family during hot weather, what to keep in mind when playing in the yard and at parks, and how to properly store and prepare food. Also included: tips for buying a bike helmet, a new craft idea, and much more. Haven’t subscribed to the newsletter yet? Sign up now!

The state continues to support vacations for families from North Rhine-Westphalia at family vacation centers during the fall break. Find out right away if and how you can receive a subsidy! Families with children not yet of school age who wish to participate outside of school breaks can apply at any time.

Family life in North Rhine-Westphalia is more colorful and diverse than ever before. With the new Familienbericht.NRW, the state government is now presenting an assessment based on the realities of family life, identifying challenges and highlighting opportunities.

Stressed or worried about poor grades on your report card? The Report Card Hotline can help! The district governments’ Report Card Hotlines offer legal advice over the phone regarding questions about grades and your academic career—confidentially and free of charge.

With our new printable template, every family member can quickly find the right contacts in an emergency: Just print it out and hang it where it’s easily visible—for example, on the refrigerator or the family bulletin board. The list includes the most important emergency numbers as well as space for your personal emergency contacts.