26 June 2026, Bremen (Germany) — The second Game with Mum & Dad event of the year in Germany brought together 5 families and 10 children aged between 2 and 12 at the Bremen Correctional Facility. Organised by Hoppenbank e.V., the afternoon focused on sport and arts and crafts, giving children and their imprisoned parents the opportunity to spend meaningful time together beyond the usual framework of prison visits.
For the participating fathers, this difference was clear. One father shared:
“It’s much more private than a normal visit, and I get to spend more time with my child.”
Another father highlighted the importance of maintaining family relationships during imprisonment:
“Spending time with my children and my wife means everything to me. Staying in touch is very important to all of us. You guys are the best—please keep up the good work.”
The afternoon was filled with movement, creativity and moments of connection. Through games, sports activities and arts and crafts, children and parents were able to interact in a more natural way One father described the experience simply: “It’s such a wonderful way to spend time with my family.”
This event was part of a GWMD European initiative coordinated by Children of Prisoners Europe, based on the concept model developed by its network member Bambinisenzasbarre. The project is built around a simple idea: play and shared activities can help children and imprisoned parents maintain and strengthen their relationship during periods of separation.
A particularly moving moment during the event involved an eight-year-old boy and his father. The father’s time in prison had been marked by personal struggles and periods of difficulty, but during the family activity, his family saw another side of him: a father focused entirely on his child. Throughout the afternoon, he played with his son, ran around with him and showed him affection and attention. The child’s mother shared that, for the first time in a long time, she was able to relax during a visit because the father took an active role in caring for their son and enjoying time with him.
The father also expressed how meaningful it was to spend time with his son without the usual barriers created by imprisonment. The child shared that he enjoyed the afternoon because he remembered playing and spending time with his father before the separation.
The end of the event was an emotional moment for the family. Father and son said goodbye with a long embrace and tears in their eyes. The social workers present supported the family through the farewell and ensured that the father received additional support afterwards due to the intensity of the emotions involved.
The Bremen event showed how family-focused activities can create moments of connection that are often difficult to achieve within a prison environment. By giving children and parents the opportunity to spend time together in a more natural setting, Game with Mum & Dad supports family bonds, strengthens children’s relationships with their parents and provides an additional resource to help social workers within correctional facilities.
