Join us for a weekly playgroup (10 sessions) of nature connection, bush walking, art & craft, stories, song and discovery at Lysterfield Park.

Lysterfield Park is truly an oasis nestled in the outer south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne and offers our little explorers the chance to explore both bush and water play, with plenty of opportunities for splashing in the lake, playing in the sand or exploring in the bush.

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, earth painting, nature stamping, creating with clay, water and ice play, hammering and exploring in nature.

Lysterfield Lake Park bush playgroup is run by Katie, a qualified Environmental Scientist with 20 years experience in delivering Environmental Education Programs.

Eco Explorers bush kids program offers 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, earth painting, nature stamping, creating with clay, hammering and tool use 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.

Its also a time for 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 bush kids program brings together a community of like-minded parents who are supportive and welcoming.

Bush Kids 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. We do not offer a make up classes if you can’t attend.

Ages: 3 – 8 years (siblings under 14 months are welcome to attend for free).

*Parents are responsible for their children at all times.