Many of you who follow me on Instagram will know about the dragon hunting adventures we have with BattleKid when we visit the many fabulous castles around us in Wales, but I realised while we were away recently that I never explained where it came from. Well, let me tell you the story.
Last year a dragon appeared outside Caerphilly Castle on Saint David’s Day and stayed outside for a brief time before moving inside the castle. We had missed seeing it that first time outside the castle, but when Lolo was visiting last May, BattleDad and he took BattleKid to Caerphilly one morning. After their breakfast they decided to visit the castle. They stumbled upon the dragon inside and on this particular visit BattleKid was quite unsure of him and his smoking nostrils.
When my sister surprised us with a visit over the May Bank Holiday weekend, we visited Caerphilly Castle again as she had never been. This time, with some coaxing from BattleDad and Lolo, BattleKid got a bit more comfortable with the dragon, going much closer but he still wouldn’t actually touch him. From that day he became fascinated with dragons and was always asking to go see the dragon.
Then last July, while I was home in Dublin without the boys, they headed to Tretower Castle in Crickhowell after breakfast in Abergavenny. BattleDad decided to make things a bit more interesting by telling BattleKid they had to find the dragon hidden within the castle and that they were dragon hunters. They searched the castle high and low and had a great day together. They searched the castle rooms, the fields around the castle and also the round tower, which sits away from the main castle. They eventually found the dragon off the court yard and from that day forth our dragon hunting adventures continued.
It has been a great addition to our days out, and has allowed BattleDad and me to enjoy visiting the many castles around us in Wales with a toddler in tow. BattleKid finds it great fun to check the nooks and crannies in each of the castles we visit for the elusive dragon and we’ve been lucky to find a dragon in each castle.
I’ll let you in on a little secret. Since their first visit to Tretower Castle, BattleDad and I always bring a small dragon teddy bear of BattleKid’s with us to plant somewhere for him to find. It ensures we enjoy ourselves as a family while we adults can also enjoy a bit of historical culture.
And even better, I’ve since seen other parents and parent bloggers incorporating dragon hunting into their castle adventures which is brilliant. It goes to show that with a little imagination from BattleDad last year, a new family adventure for all to enjoy was born.
Have you been dragon hunting yet?
Stay tuned for posts about our dragon hunting at the various castles we have visited around Wales.
Cath x
What a fun idea and a great activity for days out! I especially like that you’ve now got a toy dragon, that’ll certainly add to the magic 🙂
It definitely does Helen! Thank you x
Wow that dragon outside the castle looks amazing. I can’t wait to see what other ones you find x
We’re off to see this guy and his friend today at Caerphilly Castle. I’m looking forward to seeing what the new one looks like!
I love seeing your dragon hunting photos, they’re gorgeous and such a fab idea!
Thanks very much Corrina. More to come on the blog x
I always wondered how this started and I love this! We managed to see the dragon when it first appeared outside and then again inside and I think it’s such a fun game and nice way to get him inspired to adventure outdoors and explore all the castles in Wales
Laura x
Thanks very much Laura. He certainly doesn’t mind visiting the castles in Wales at all once he knows there’s a dragon to find x
Great idea to keep kids interested (I love it that others are doing it too now, I may steal it myself 🙂 )
Definitely do it Laura. I’m sure the kids will love it x
As someone who is obsessed with Game of Thrones I think it is safe to say that I like dragons. Clearly the battle family have great taste! I would love to go dragon hunting!
I love GoT too. And thank you x
It’s a great series and loads of fun!
Thanks hun x
I love this idea. My children love visiting castles and exploring so this is just another lovely way to add to that. Thanks for the inspiration!
It’s our pleasure hun. It has definitely made visiting castles fun for all of us, especially BattleKid x
There’s one place we go to that has a permanent dragon feature. We have to go and feed it every time we are there. Maybe, though, we should expand on this and copy your idea? I think my kids would love it.
Oh wow, where is that John. And definitely do it. I’m sure your kids would enjoy a dragon hunt.
We have never gone dragon hunting. It sounds like good fun.
I’m sure your little one would love it x
What a lovely family past time, how sweet that others are also dragon hunting too x
It’s brilliant! I’d love to hear of more people doing it x
That’s a really cute idea. That first dragon at Caerphilly castle is frighteningly realistic!
He is! BattleKid wasn’t so sure of him at all. I wonder what he’ll think of him today!
I’m so ashamed to say I haven’t. I’ve really enjoyed seeing your pictures. What a great adventure you’ve been on x
Thanks Kerry. You should definitely try visit Caerphilly Castle before they move the dragons on again x
This looks like a fantastic day out for the whole family. Who doesn’t love dragons?!
Caerphilly Castle is brilliant but made even more so with the dragons x
Love it. My daughter loves stuff like this. We hike often, and she is always looking for drsagon tracks
You should definitely incorporate dragon hunts into your hikes then!
We are blessed with castles in South Wales. I love the dragons, what a great idea to encourage visitors. You’ve reminded me we haven’t been for a while, we’ll have to visit Caerphilly castle again. Look forward to reading your next posts #Wanderlustkids
Thank you Rhi. Yes we are very lucky with castles (and dragons) here in Wales. And thank you for linking up!
I haven’t been dragon hunting yet but I think we ought to! Will track you down on Instagram! #Wanderlustkids
Thanks, and thanks for linking up this month. Looking forward to reading your post x
This is a fun idea for getting kids interested in historical buildings #wanderlustkids
Thank you. And thanks so much for linking up again. Looking forward to reading your post! xx
I love this! 🙂 I always see your pics on Instagram, and I wondered what started it all. It sounds like such fun! I think my little one would enjoy this so much! 🙂 #WanderlustKids
Thanks Charlene and thanks for joining in with the linky. I really love reading your posts. Hope to read more from you x
This looks amazing fun! I want to go! #WanderlustKids
Thanks. You can easily do it too xx
What a lovely story, and a brilliant idea! We recently went to Alnwick Castle, where they encourage the children to find a lion in each room. Then at the end they give them a badge if they’ve found them all. Great adventures. #WanderlustKids
Oh that sounds brilliant. It’s great when places like that put something on for kids. Thanks for linking up again this month!
Brilliant idea! I’ll be trying that sometime with my toddler when she understands a bit better 😀