Join us for a weekly Bush Kindy Kids program (9 sessions) at Westerfolds Park in Templestowe where children learn through play and develop new skills by using tools and learning bushcraft skills. We have a strong Indigenous/Australian focus and share this knowledge through engaging stories and educational bush walks that inspires a deep connection to nature and encourages the use of gross motor skills through climbing, balancing and building.

We investigate a different topic each week, learn how to track and find animals, how to safely use tools and make projects, build bush shelters, how to navigate and read maps, use a compass and even prepare food.

Westerfolds Park, situated beside the Yarra River in Templestowe, offers over 120 hectares of recreational and environmental bushland to explore and our programs are facilitated by qualified and experienced nature play educators (read more about our team here) that are highly skilled and knowledgeable in the area that they work in.

Our Westerfolds Bush kindy kids is led by Adam, one of the founders of Eco Explorers who is highly skilled in many bush survival skills. He spent his childhood living and camping in the bush; climbing mountains, exploring rivers, learning to fish, track, make fires and to simplify… just ‘being’ at one in nature. Adam now hopes to share his childhood & adult experiences with the next generation to inspire a deep connection with nature. He has a background in Outdoor Education and is a trained level 3 forest school leader.

Our program has been developed to give your child optimum opportunity to build their gross motor and physical skills through movement and fine motor skills during our craft activities. Research clearly shows that the more time your child spends in nature, the better they are prepared for school, both physically and emotionally.

Bush Kindy allows parents to disconnect from their busy lives (and technology) and re-connect with their child in nature. This time is as much for you as it is for your child. Our programs bring together a community of like-minded parents who understand the benefits of . The sessions are relaxed and completely child led and parents are encouraged to follow their child’s lead.

Bush kindy is an all weather outdoor session so you need to make sure you bring appropriate weather protection and clothing. Children and adults must wear closed footwear when walking in the bush, sun hats, sunscreen, wet weather gear, plenty of snacks and water and even a change of clothes for those muddy play days! Our program will only be cancelled in the event of an extreme weather warning; fire, storm, high temperatures and strong wind.

Ages: 3.5  years – 6 years (siblings under 18 months are welcome to attend for free).

*Parents are responsible for their children at all times.