Key Girlguiding dates for parents and carers 2026
Stay up to date with your child’s Girlguiding calendar
Originally published 18 January 2024.
Want to keep on top of the important dates for the 2026 Girlguiding calendar?
Here are some key dates to help you feel in-the-know about what your child might get up to in guiding this year. There are things on this list for Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers.
Remember, every unit (local Girlguiding group) is different. Activities, trips or special events vary depending on your child’s group, so make sure you speak to the volunteer planning the adventures specific to your child’s unit.
All year round
Discounts
We’ll share discounts and offers from different partners throughout the year. Some are limited offers and others are available all year round.
✓ At least 10% off sitewide at GO Outdoors.
✓ Discounts on trips at home and abroad with PGL.
✓ Free football coaching sessions for Brownie-aged members (ages 7-10) with McDonalds Fun Football.
To receive our partner discounts, make sure you’re opted in to receiving marketing communications from us. You can update your preferences in GO.
January 2026
New guiding term
Your child’s unit is likely to follow the same dates as their school’s term time. It might start around the same time as the school term, or a bit later.
Be sure to check with your unit leader when they’re planning to go back so you have enough time to get prepared.
February 2026
World Thinking Day (22 February 2026)
Every year, Girlguiding celebrates World Thinking Day as part of WAGGGS - the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts that brings people in guiding together from across the world.
This years' theme is ‘Our Friendship’ and it’s particularly special as it marks 100 years of World Thinking Day. Your child’s unit might mark the day by trying 1 of these 13 promise activities.
March 2026
World Book Day (5 March 2026)
World Book Day promotes reading for pleasure, offering every child and young person the opportunity to have a book of their own.
Do you know if your child will be dressing up with their school or Girlguiding unit for World Book Day? Check out our easy costume ideas for girls.
In 2025, we launched 3 new bookish interest badges for Brownies, Guides and Rangers. Take a look at our interest badges to celebrate World Book Day:
International Women's Day (8 March 2026)
It's International Women's Day on 8 March. To mark the achievements of women and promote gender equality across the world, we've created a new International Women’s Day badge. It's a ‘fun badge’ which means girls don’t have to formally earn it through our programme so you can get involved as a parent or carer too!
Free football coaching sessions for girls (early access from 13-23 March)
Looking for fun activities for your child to do during the school holidays? Why not sign them up for free football coaching sessions designed for Brownie-aged girls (ages 7-10)?
We've partnered with McDonalds Fun Football to offer relaxed, confidence-boosting sessions that help girls get active, make friends and enjoy football in a fun and pressure-free environment. Girlguiding members get priority access to tickets from 13 March until 23 March, and families can sign up to local sessions running place throughout the summer.
Find out more about how your child can get involved in free Fun Football coaching sessions.
Cityscapes Adventure (21-22 March 2026)
Cityscapes Adventure is an exciting wide-game event coming to Glasgow, Cardiff, Portsmouth, York and Manchester. From trying a quick craft or getting sporty, to discovering hidden gems in a museum, it's a big scavenger hunt style wide-game spread across the city. It’s taking place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 March 2026.
April 2026
Earth Day (22 April 2026)
Did you know 84% of our young members say it’s important to them to do something about climate change?
As part of our vision of a world where all girls feel safe and happy we’ve released our 2026 Earth Day badge. This badge is the first of 3 to focus on species at risk due to habitat loss or other environmental factors. This year, the badge features the endangered Motagua spiny-tailed iguana and other desert-dwelling friends.
Earth Day 2026 also marks 1 year since we launched our Eco Awards. This award helps our young members to take action on the environmental issues they care about. You can complete the Eco award at home, or your group might be doing it in the unit. Find out more about each award, then get started:
You can also read about our environmental plan.
PGL adventures for groups, families and holiday clubs
From abseiling to canoeing, giant swing to zip wiring, PGL gives young people the freedom to be themselves. Your child’s unit might be planning to go on a PGL Takeover Weekend for Brownies and Guides.
Find out more about these weekends and future PGL events.
What's on offer for parents and carers?
Did you know Girlguiding members can enjoy a 15% discount on PGL adventures on kids' adventure camps and family adventures?
The kids' adventure camps are available at 11 dedicated kids-only centres. They include 24-hour childcare provided by dedicated group leaders plus 3 meals, accommodation, and all activities. You can also pay with childcare vouchers or tax‑free childcare to give your child the best independent holiday yet.
The family adventures are available at 2 fantastic UK centres. Join PGL at Easter, May half term, summer and October half term for fun overnight stays for families or adventure days. They also have a Paris and Disneyland package at 1 of their French centres.
Find out more about PGL or check GO for details on how to redeem your discount to start planning your next family adventure together.
May 2026
Camping season begins!
Lots of camping trips will take place between May and July so make sure you have everything you need. Here’s some things you might want to explore:
June 2026
Girlguiding Celebrates 2026 (6 June 2026)
Volunteers make guiding happen. Our annual celebration, Girlguiding Celebrates, invites incredible volunteers to walk the red carpet and be recognized for achieving a guiding award during 2025 or for their amazing contribution by their country or region.
Thanking our volunteers is all about recognising the great work they do and letting them know how much we value them. Here are some ideas for to show how much you appreciate the volunteers who run your child’s unit.
Summer 2026
Look out for our new uniform launch!
For the first time in over 30 years, we're redesigning our whole uniform range. We’re excited for the new range – a lot of work is going into making sure it will be better fit and quality, more sustainable, and more popular with girls, but still at an affordable price point.
The new range will be available in summer 2026, but the current uniform range won’t be going out of date. Your child can keep wearing what they’ve already got until they need or want something new.
The new range will be launching the summer, ready for the start of term in September. In the meantime, you can find out more about the range along with the latest news, frequently asked questions and sneak peeks.
Summer holidays start
Schools out for the summer! Guiding doesn’t have to stop over the summer months, but we know that many units pause for the school holidays, which usually begin in late July.
Are you looking for activities to do with your child during the school holidays? Check out our fun screen-free activities to keep kids entertained without the smart tech and screens.
August and September 2026
New guiding term
The new guiding term will start in August or September around the same time schools go back. It depends where you live.
Check in with your leader to make sure your child has everything they need for a new term at Girlguiding.
October 2026
Black History Month
At Girlguiding, our commitment to recognising Black history reaches beyond this month. We have a range of activities in collaboration with The Black Curriculum that girls can complete with their unit.
Here are some of the activities your child might do for Black History Month.
International Day of the Girl (11 October 2026)
Every October, people all around the world mark International Day of the Girl to empower girls and amplify their voices. That’s what we aim to do all the time at Girlguiding so we celebrate it every year.
Could you offer an hour of your time with your local unit to share something that will empower girls? It could be a skill you use for your job or a fun activity you do with your child at home.
Find out more about volunteering with us
Here's what to expect once you've registered to volunteer with us
November 2026
Remembrance Sunday (8 November 2026)
This is traditionally marked on 11 November or the nearest Sunday to this date. Some units will choose to commemorate the day with some special activities. You could do some of them at home with your child.
Keep an eye out for our special 2026 remembrance badges in partnership with The Royal British Legion. 50% of the profits from the badges will go to The Royal British Legion and Poppyscotland.
December 2026
Look out for ODEON screenings
Last year, over 41,000 girls went on a zootastic cinema adventure to see Disney’s Zootropolis 2. Thanks to ODEON and our amazing volunteers who plan trips, we get to provide unforgettable memories at the cinema.
Every winter, we hold screenings of films with a girl lead. Around this time, volunteers might ask you to cover the cost of tickets and trip expenses. Look out for more updates later this year.
Here's what to expect if your child is going on an ODEON trip.
That's it for now. Come back to this page for regular updates on key dates and limited partner offers this year!
