Join us for a weekly Bush Kindy Kids program (10 sessions) at Gresswell Forest Wildlife Reserve in Macleod 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.

Eco Explorers bush 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 Gresswell Forest bush kindy is led by Penny. Penny has been running our bush playgroups at Gresswell Forest for 3 years and has a wealth of local knowledge to share with the families. Penny is a teacher and qualified 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 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.

It’s 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 kinder bring together a community of like-minded parents who are supportive and welcoming.

Bush kindy 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 session will only be cancelled in the event of an extreme weather warning; fire, storm, high temperatures and strong winds.

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

*Parents are responsible for their children at all times.