25 June 2026, Bremerhaven (Germany) — For children affected by parental imprisonment, opportunities to spend meaningful time with their parents can be limited. Moments of connection outside the usual routines of visits can offer children and parents the chance to simply be a family again.
In Bremerhaven, Game with Mum & Dad marked the first family-focused initiative of its kind to take place at the Correctional Facility. The event was made possible through the work of Hoppenbank e.V., the local NGO implementing the project on behalf of Children of Prisoners Europe, which coordinates the initiative at the European level. The event created a dedicated space for children and parents to spend time together through play, recognising the importance of maintaining the bond between child and parent during a period of imprisonment.
On 25 June three families took part in the special afternoon, which combined football, board games and arts-and-crafts activities. Two of the families were related, which added another layer of familiarity and joy to the event, as the children were able to spend time together again in a more informal setting.
The day began around the arts-and-crafts table, where children could paint their fathers’ faces. The fathers embraced the moment with patience and humour, allowing themselves to be transformed by their children. After that, the long-awaited football match brought plenty of energy and excitement,. A father and mother played against their 10-year-old sonm, who showed great skills and won the game.
Food also helped create a welcoming atmosphere. The families shared a buffet with fresh fruit, including watermelon, bananas, apples and mango, as well as cheese and grapes. A few sweet treats, including cookies and gums, were added as small favourites between activities.
For the fathers, the time spent together was especially meaningful. One father reflected:
“I really enjoyed spending these three hours with my family. Thank you.”
Another shared how important these moments are for maintaining his relationship with his child:
“Spending time with my son means a lot to me. (…) Thank you very much for this opportunity.”
For the children, the experience was equally important. The 10-year-old participant described the afternoon as “fun,” while also expressing a wish that he would like to have “more time with my dad.”
A particularly meaningful moment came at the end of the afternoon, when families took group photos with a Polaroid camera. The instant photographs became lasting reminders of the time they had shared together. The fathers were able to keep the photos with them.
The first “Game with Mum & Dad” afternoon in Bremerhaven was an important step towards creating more opportunities for family-focused activities within the facility. While a few hours together cannot replace everyday family life, they can help children and parents maintain connections, strengthen relationships and create moments of shared experience that remain meaningful beyond the day itself.
*The photos above were taken during the GWMD event held in Bremen, Germany, last November 2025. In Bremerhaven, it was not possible to bring an external camera into the facility.
