Join The Blackwatch Mini Army

Teaching our children about history and the importance of what has gone before is no easy task; how do you engage and excite a seven year old who can chat to his collective peers around the world on a small rectangular device, about plague, famine and war? 

You may ask, is it even relevant today?

Well, here at Small City we think the answer to that question is always yes.  Although the world now moves at a very different pace, knowing and appreciating the past and understanding, even to a small extent, the sacrifices that our grandparents and great-grandparents made in order that we might enjoy the freedom and full lives that we do today is an important part of any child’s upbringing. 

However, as someone who was bored to tears with historical facts and figures at school I am completely in agreement with the kids who cry boredom at some of the less imaginative exercises in teaching history.

For me, history started to come alive when I discovered museums and galleries; the idea of seeing real life objects and photographs that looked like my grandad brought the whole thing to life for me.  If you tell me anything that involves a personal story of a fascinating life then I’m hooked. 

Which is why I love The Black Watch Castle and Museum’s First World War Recruitment Family Day idea.  Created to tie in with Scotland’s Festival of Museums Event, the team at Black Watch are inviting children of all ages to sign up as a First World War soldier or caring military nurse.
 
Kids will go through the ‘sign up process’, making their own ID tag and dressing up in uniform.  They’ll then pose for a black and white photograph to send home as a war time keepsake for their loved ones before being put through drills, learning more about the first aid used at the Front and clambering aboard a 1914 military vehicle.

The Festival of Museums is an annual event co-ordinated by Museums Galleries Scotland to showcase Scotland’s cultural offering; it includes everything from historical re-enactments and night time murder mysteries to children’s story telling and arts and crafts.   This is a prefect chance to get your kids away from the computer screen or telly and into a museum - and I would be willing to bet they enjoy every last minute of it!

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Saturday 14^th May | 11am – 3pm

Check out the full details on our events page.

Children £5 | Adults Free | All children to be accompanied by an adult

For an idea of just how fantastic The Black Watch Castle's Kids Events are, check out our Night At The Museum Review.