Join us for a weekly bush playgroup program (10 sessions) where families gather to enjoy all the benefits that nature has to offer at Gresswell Forest Wildlife Reserve in Macleod, Melbourne’s inner North. A bush oasis just waiting to be discovered!

Eco Explorers bush playgroups are facilitated by qualified and experienced nature play educators (read more about our team here) that offer a wide range of nature based, sensory play activities for your child to enjoy. Our facilitator, Ashlee is a qualified and experienced, early childhood educator who has been working as a wilderness camp leader and as a theatre puppet maker for children for nearly 10 years. She has a passion for connecting children to nature and does so through creative activities, stories and games.

There is a different theme each week, as well as our usual picnic and story time on the mat, song and craft sessions, climbing, balancing, building and learning about our natural environment.  Some of the activities include mud kitchen play, nature art and crafts, earth painting, nature stamping, creating with clay, water and ice play, hammering and exploring in nature.

Our program has been developed to give your child optimum opportunity to build their gross motor and physical skills through climbing, balancing, walking 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.

Playgroup 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 playgroups bring together a community of like-minded parents who are supportive and welcoming.

Bush playgroup is an all weather outdoor playgroup so you need to make sure you bring appropriate weather protection and clothing. Children must have closed footwear when walking in the bush, sun hats, sunscreen, wet weather gear, plenty of snacks and water and a change of clothes. Our playgroup will only be cancelled in the event of an extreme weather warning; fire, storm, high temperatures and strong winds.

Ages: 1 – 5 years (siblings under 14 months are welcome to attend for free).

*Parents are responsible for their children at all times.