Join us for a weekly group (10 sessions) of nature connection, nature play, crafts, art, stories, song, learning and bushwalking at Gresswell Forest, a forest in suburbia! Located in Melbourne’s north-east suburb of Macleod. This forest location provides children and their families the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature as it’s bush all the way! There will be a fair bit of kangaroo and wildlife spotting along the many tracks, a creek, nature cubby’s and logs to climb and balance on.

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. 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, bushwalking, earth painting, nature stamping, creating with clay, hammering and exploring in nature.

Our Gresswell Forest bush playgroup offers you the best of nature play in a relaxed, supportive and positive environment. It is run by Penny, a qualified primary school teacher and experienced playgroup facilitator who has a passion for connecting children to 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. The sessions are relaxed and completely child led and parents are encouraged to follow their child’s lead.

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 wind.

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

*Parents are responsible for their children at all times.