🐻 Bear’s CASTLETASTIC Picnic for kinship care families at Stirling Castle! 🏰

What do you get when you mix dragon eggs, parachutes, knight poses, and a whole lot of love? Bear’s CASTLETASTIC Picnic at Stirling Castle – a magical day for kinship care families from across Scotland!

In partnership with the incredible team at Stirling Castle, we welcomed families for a day filled with fun, connection, and creativity – all with Self-Management Skills at the heart of every activity.

From the moment families arrived, the castle grounds buzzed with excitement. Children and their carers teamed up for a Scavenger Hunt, working together to uncover hidden dragon eggs nestled around the historic site. Laughter echoed through the castle walls as families explored, discovered, and played side by side.

“It was just amazing to see my grandkids running around, laughing, and being part of something so special.” – Kinship Carer

Together, we brought to life Sir Bob, our very own Health Rights Defenders Knight – a symbol of strength, courage, and the power of children’s voices. Using a giant parachute, we played SAME!, a game that celebrates the connections that unite us, reminding us that even though our stories may be different, we share so much in common.

“I liked the parachute game because we all had to work together – it made me feel like I belonged.” – Young Participant

Then came the Knight Poses – our playful twist on power poses – paired with some calming DRAGON Breathing to help us feel strong, grounded, and ready to take on the world.

After all that adventuring, families gathered for a delicious lunch provided by the wonderful Broadcroft Hotel. During lunch, children decorated their own Health Rights Defenders Shields, designing them with powerful messages about why children’s rights matter and how they protect us all.

“My shield says ‘I have the right to be safe’ – because every child should feel safe no matter what.” – Young Shield Designer

Helen Bauld, Training, Programmes and Funding Manager, shared:

“We’re so grateful to our funders – ALLIANCE Scotland, Cash For Kids, and Dr Guthrie’s Association – for making days like Bear’s CASTLETASTIC Picnic possible. Spending time together as a family, playing and building community connections, is vital for self-management and building resilience. When we play together, we grow together. It’s so important for our families to see that they’re not alone – to meet others who understand their journey. We’re already looking forward to hosting more picnics like this thanks to our funders. And we’re proud that our events give children something joyful to talk about when they go back to school. When someone asks, ‘What did you do on your summer holidays?’ they can say something very special.”

Bear’s CASTLETASTIC Picnic reminded us all that when we come together in play, creativity, and community, we build something truly powerful. Here’s to more days like this – where every child feels seen, heard, and celebrated.