Are you longing to get out into nature again? Explore our beautiful reserves and bushland? Connect and meet with other local families and spend quality time together each week in a supported community? This is what makes our Eco Explorers bush playgroups so special and unique and we’d love for you to be part of it. Doongalla Picnic Ground  in The Basin is truly a magical and mystical place, tucked up in the mountain in the Dandenong Ranges National Park.

Join us for a weekly bush playgroup program where families gather to enjoy all the benefits that nature has to offer. Our program is child-led and we offer a range of sensory play activities, nature crafts, storytelling, songs and a bushwalk focusing on movement, climbing and learning about the local flora and fauna.

Eco Explorers bush playgroups 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. Anne your playgroup facilitator is an early childhood educator with over ten years of experience facilitating playgroups. She lives in the Dandenong ranges with her family and has a passion for outdoor play and learning.

Our program has been developed to give your child optimum opportunity to build their gross motor and physical skills through movement 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 understand the benefits of outdoor play. 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 and adults must wear closed footwear when walking in the bush, sun hats, sunscreen, wet weather gear, plenty of snacks and water and even a change of clothes for those muddy play days! Our playgroup will only be cancelled in the event of an extreme weather warning; fire, storm, high temperatures and strong wind.

Ages: 1 – 4  years (siblings under 14 months are welcome to attend for free).

*Parents are responsible for their children at all times.