Outdoor fun at Bairn Banter this summer
Families from across the Glenkens and beyond continue to come together and join in the fun filled sessions provided by Bairn Banter in Carsphairn.
Looking back at early spring, the volunteers from the local children’s group welcomed kids of all ages to attend the free annual egg hunt over Easter weekend, with 22 children participating in the hunt and other activities provided as part of another collaboration with Carsphairn Heritage Centre. Bairn Banter has also hosted some special visitors along to the group including the Local Place Planning team and the Citizens Advice Bureau, who offered financial advice and support to families whilst the children played happily.
In April we featured in an article ‘Bairn Banter: A community play group investing in the demographic future of the area’ produced as part of the Community Actions in Uist & Glenkens project. The case study highlighted the importance of grass-roots, volunteer led groups providing social opportunities in rural areas and filling the gaps left by local school ‘mothballing’.
As we spring forward into the summer months, we have turned recent efforts towards offering more outdoor learning opportunities and the development of a new outdoor play area outside Lagwyne Hall. The children are thrilled to have this space to explore and play freely in the great outdoors whilst embracing the new responsibility for the planning and design of the garden. At present we have a large, raised bed, which the children are planting with a variety of vegetables and edible flowers. The children are developing a keen curiosity towards learning about the different types of songbirds that visit our donated upcycled bird table. Over the coming weeks, volunteers will be assembling a giant outdoor sandpit, to expand the joys of messy sand play.
When playing indoors, the children and their families have been busy exploring different textures of the messy sensory play activities, as well as painting, water and sand play, stretching those growing limbs on the soft play obstacle course, and the older ones have been very creative with the popular pebble painting, baking activities, helping with snacks, Lego box, and group games. At Bairn Banter, we also provide children (and adults) with free and healthy snacks, purchased from our wonderful local businesses Wright’s Shop in Dalry and the Galloway Food Hub.
Youngsters from near and far visiting the Carsphairn Show on Saturday 1st June, joined Bairn Banter in their tent and new touring trailer to join in the fun, free children's activities throughout the day, including sheep themed crafts, waterplay, bubbles, soft play, sensory activities, snacks and a nice cool area to take rest away from the glorious summer sunshine.
Bairn Banter organiser Melissa Ade said:
“Thank you for everyone’s continued support in keeping our happy wee group thriving!”