Summer days filled with sunshine, picnics with friends and water sensory play are a few of the highlights for our summer bush playgroup program. What are you waiting for? Come and meet your tribe in 2020  at an Eco Explorers bush playgroup! Gresswell Forest Wildlife Reserve is just that, 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.

Join us for a weekly bush playgroup program (10 sessions) where families gather to enjoy all the benefits that nature has to offer.

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. Our facilitator, Hayley is an artist, mum and a mindfulness coach who works with vulnerable families, taking them outdoors to connect with nature.

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.