Foldvik Familiepark in Stavem, Norway (© Kirkens Bymisjon)
This summer, Kirkens Bymisjon, a Norwegian association and member of the COPE network, carried out a series of initiatives aimed at fostering meaningful connections between children and their imprisoned parents. This year, the organisation didn’t host in-prison football events as part of the ‘Game with Mum & Dad’ campaign — events which are not simple to organise and many children live a great distance from the prison where their parent is. However, outings in three prominent Norwegian amusement parks were organised bringing together 218 participants, including children, their imprisoned parents and family members, helping them to share meaningful moments together.
Bø Sommarland
At Bø Sommarland, Norway’s largest water park, 90 children and adults enjoyed a day filled with aquatic fun. The park, known for its fun water slides and family-friendly attractions, offered the perfect backdrop for families to engage in playful activities, strengthening family connections through shared laughter and joy.
Foldvik Familiepark
In Foldvik Familiepark, 88 parents (imprisoned and caregivers) and children had fun together with farm animals and took part in outdoor activties designed for younger children in particular.
Bø Sommarland in Telemark, Norway (© Kirkens Bymisjon)
“I always met Dad inside the prison. This time we could experience this together.”
– Boy, 10 years old
(“Jeg møtte alltid pappa inne i fengselet. Denne gangen kunne vi oppleve dette samme”)
TusenFryd
At TusenFryd, the largest amusement park in Norway, 40 adults and children spent a hot summer day enjoying the park’s rides and attractions. This outing was made available for families residing in the northern part of the region, who came together was a family day out.
Looking ahead
Kirkens Bymisjon is committed to carrying out GWMD in 2025 and is already planning activities within norwegian prisons that will involve children and parents playing together, following the GWMD model developed by Bambinisenzasbarre (see HERE).
Holding events on prison grounds is a crucial aspect of the GWMD model. By creating moments of joy, play and affectionate interaction on prison grounds, children begin to associate these visits with warmth and connection. This shift not only makes children more comfortable visiting their parents in prison, but also helps maintain a consistent, meaningful bond in a familiar setting, which supports the child’s emotional stability and the family’s resilience through difficult times (UNCRC, 1989, Art. 9).
When the games take place on prison grounds, the walls of prison become permeable themsevles. Family life and laughter are breathed into the institutions of prison — Game with Mum & Dad is a tool used to embed an awareness of children and child-rights practices within prison settings and systems, humanising spaces of detention.
