Photos taken at our December 2021 Playgroups
December Nature Playgroup
Looking for some outdoor fun for you and your little one?
Interested in connecting with some other like-minded parents who believe in the importance of nature play?
Keen for your children to indulge in some risky play in a controlled environment?
Then our December nature playgroups are for you!
Come join us under the grand fig trees in Centennial Parklands for our nature-based playgroups running each Wednesday in December before Christmas.
All children welcome! We love the magic that happens when children of different ages play together.
10am – 12pm
Wednesday 1st, 8th, 15th + 22nd December 2021 – check out our FAQs if your chosen date has sold out.
$25 per child per week (10% sibling discount / adults no charge*)
10% discount if you book all four playgroups
Find out more info in the FAQs below.
*Please note that an adult will be required to accompany all children attending so we’ll do our best to make the session fun for our big people as well!
Loved seeing my little one point up at the trees and bats, engaging with nature.
My son loved being outside and learning about nature, interacting with other kids.
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
Why nature play?
We believe in the importance of children being outdoors in nature, experiencing all weathers, and following the rhythm of the seasons.
Why is this? Apart from play outside being endlessly fun, a great number of studies have shown that children who are able to regularly play in nature have:
- Increased levels of happiness
- A stronger immune system
- Improved physical health
- Increased physical and literacy skills
- Improved focus and attention
- Greater emotional intelligence
- Increases community connection
- Reduced levels of stress, anxiety and depression
(click on the above image to enlarge it)
We also believe that a connection to nature helps children better understand their place in the world and fostering a love of the natural world from a young age is an environmental necessity.
What to expect?
On welcoming you and your little people, we will form our yarning circle to acknowledge our traditional owners, the Bidjigal people of the Eora Nation, learn a bit about the land we are gathered on and listen to a story about the area.
This will provide the children with the opportunity to feel a sense of place for where we are gathered and to get to know each other. Our little nature explorers will then be invited to perform a risk assessment of the area and set our boundaries for today’s play before they set out to explore.
There will then be an opportunity to create some Xmas-themed craft items using found objects* and plenty of time for open-ended self-directed play.
Please be mindful that this is an all weather activity and we will proceed regardless except in the case of extreme weather conditions eg high winds, severe storms. So come dressed accordingly!
Who’s this for?
All children are welcome! Please note an adult will need to accompany children attending.
Are adults required to accompany their children?
Yes an adult is required to accompany all children attending but you are allowed to bring your friends’s kids as long as you have their permission.
We also encourage all our lovely big people attending to get involved and engage with what your little people are doing so that you can both get the most out of this session. We will do our best to make this fun for you as well!
We would also appreciate your assistance with guiding and helping them, we aren’t likely to be doing anything too strenuous and will be on hand to assist.
Is there a discount for siblings?
Yes, you deserve one! Please enjoy 10% off the full price when you book for 2 or more children by using the code SIBLINGS.
What happens if its raining?
We put on our raincoats and gum boots and go hunting for puddles!
What to bring?
- Water bottle and any snacks you require (no nuts please).
- Layers in case of a change of weather and potentially a change of clothes.
- Gumboots and raincoat if it is raining.
What is the Covid-19 protocol?
Please note that as per the current government regulations, all adults attending are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a written medical exemption.
What if the date I'm interested in has sold out?
Please signup for our emails and we shall let you know if there are any cancellations.
Interested in playgroups at other times?
We will definitely looking to add more playgroup times so we invite you to signup for our emails to receive updates as we announce them.
Where to meet?
You can find us near the Labyrinth on Dickens Drive in Centennial Park (click on the image below to open in Google Maps).
Parking is usually readily available on Dickens Drive (closest) or Grand Drive (a short walk).
You can also reach us by 339 bus and the lightrail.
There are toilet facilities nearby.
* It is important to note that we are always very mindful about what we will and won’t collect and potentially remove from a natural setting. Even fallen leaves and twigs can play an important role by providing shelter or bedding for animals. We will discuss the importance of being mindful about what we remove and what we leave in situ with the children on the day and would love it if our wonderful adult companions would help reinforce this message.
Hi, I’m Penny Mapp. I am mother to 6yo twin girls and a large woolly hound. I am not an educator but have become a passionate advocate for nature play. I believe that children are amazing, they are far more capable than we give them credit, they are citizens who should be valued and listened to and that childhood is a gift that should be celebrated before it is gone. Children are born ready to explore and we should do all we can to encourage their natural curiosity. Nature provides the perfect environment for this and the connection to the natural world around them and an understanding of the seasons and native flora and fauna that can follow is the best way for our little people to feel their sense of place in the world.
Hi, I am Liesel Murphy, currently studying a Bachelor in Early Childhood and Primary Education. I am an advocate for the importance of nature play in the early years and have done nature training with Early Years Bush Connections, Claire Warden (Scottish Forest School), Anthony Seaman (Outdoor Play Spaces). I have been a part of sharing our local Bush Kindy experiences with an International study group and have presented at a National ECA Conference about Beach Kindy. I hope to inspire a love of nature and help children develop ecological identities that have a lasting impact on their lives as advocates for the environment and communities.
December Nature Playgroup
Looking for some outdoor fun for you and your little one?
Interested in connecting with some other like-minded parents who believe in the importance of nature play?
Keen for your children to indulge in some risky play in a controlled environment?
Then our December nature playgroups are for you!
Come join us under the grand fig trees in Centennial Parklands for our nature-based playgroups running each Wednesday in December before Christmas.
All children welcome! We love the magic that happens when children of different ages play together.
10am – 12pm
Wednesday 1st, 8th, 15th + 22nd December 2021 – check out our FAQs if your chosen date has sold out.
$25 per child per week (10% sibling discount / adults no charge*)
10% discount if you book all four playgroups
Find out more info in the FAQs below.
*Please note that an adult will be required to accompany all children attending so we’ll do our best to make the session fun for our big people as well!
Photos taken at our December 2021 Playgroups
My son loved being outside and learning about nature, interacting with other kids.
Loved seeing my little one point up at the trees and bats, engaging with nature.
Reviews
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
Why nature play?
We believe in the importance of children being outdoors in nature, experiencing all weathers, and following the rhythm of the seasons.
Why is this? Apart from play outside being endlessly fun, a great number of studies have shown that children who are able to regularly play in nature have:
- Increased levels of happiness
- A stronger immune system
- Improved physical health
- Increased physical and literacy skills
- Improved focus and attention
- Greater emotional intelligence
- Increases community connection
- Reduced levels of stress, anxiety and depression
(click on the above image to enlarge it)
We also believe that a connection to nature helps children better understand their place in the world and fostering a love of the natural world from a young age is an environmental necessity.
What to expect?
On welcoming you and your little people, we will form our yarning circle to acknowledge our traditional owners, the Bidjigal people of the Eora Nation, learn a bit about the land we are gathered on and listen to a story about the area.
This will provide the children with the opportunity to feel a sense of place for where we are gathered and to get to know each other. Our little nature explorers will then be invited to perform a risk assessment of the area and set our boundaries for today’s play before they set out to explore.
There will then be an opportunity to create some Xmas-themed craft items using found objects* and plenty of time for open-ended self-directed play.
Please be mindful that this is an all weather activity and we will proceed regardless except in the case of extreme weather conditions eg high winds, severe storms. So come dressed accordingly!
Who’s this for?
All children are welcome! Please note an adult will need to accompany children attending.
Are adults required to accompany their children?
Yes an adult is required to accompany all children attending but you are allowed to bring your friends’s kids as long as you have their permission.
We also encourage all our lovely big people attending to get involved and engage with what your little people are doing so that you can both get the most out of this session. We will do our best to make this fun for you as well!
We would also appreciate your assistance with guiding and helping them, we aren’t likely to be doing anything too strenuous and will be on hand to assist.
Is there a discount for siblings?
Yes, you deserve one! Please enjoy 10% off the full price when you book for 2 or more children by using the code SIBLINGS.
What happens if its raining?
We put on our raincoats and gum boots and go hunting for puddles!
What to bring?
- Water bottle and any snacks you require (no nuts please).
- Layers in case of a change of weather and potentially a change of clothes.
- Gumboots and raincoat if it is raining.
What is the Covid-19 protocol?
Please note that as per the current government regulations, all adults attending are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a written medical exemption.
What if the date I'm interested in has sold out?
Please signup for our emails and we shall let you know if there are any cancellations.
Interested in playgroups at other times?
We will definitely looking to add more playgroup times so we invite you to signup for our emails to receive updates as we announce them.
Where to meet?
You can find us near the Labyrinth on Dickens Drive in Centennial Park (click on the image below to open in Google Maps).
Parking is usually readily available on Dickens Drive (closest) or Grand Drive (a short walk).
You can also reach us by 339 bus and the lightrail.
There are toilet facilities nearby.
Hi, I’m Penny Mapp. I am mother to 6yo twin girls and a large woolly hound. I am not an educator but have become a passionate advocate for nature play. I believe that children are amazing, they are far more capable than we give them credit, they are citizens who should be valued and listened to and that childhood is a gift that should be celebrated before it is gone. Children are born ready to explore and we should do all we can to encourage their natural curiosity. Nature provides the perfect environment for this and the connection to the natural world around them and an understanding of the seasons and native flora and fauna that can follow is the best way for our little people to feel their sense of place in the world.
Hi, I am Liesel Murphy, currently studying a Bachelor in Early Childhood and Primary Education. I am an advocate for the importance of nature play in the early years and have done nature training with Early Years Bush Connections, Claire Warden (Scottish Forest School), Anthony Seaman (Outdoor Play Spaces). I have been a part of sharing our local Bush Kindy experiences with an International study group and have presented at a National ECA Conference about Beach Kindy. I hope to inspire a love of nature and help children develop ecological identities that have a lasting impact on their lives as advocates for the environment and communities.
* It is important to note that we are always very mindful about what we will and won’t collect and potentially remove from a natural setting. Even fallen leaves and twigs can play an important role by providing shelter or bedding for animals. We will discuss the importance of being mindful about what we remove and what we leave in situ with the children on the day and would love it if our wonderful adult companions would help reinforce this message.
Reviews