Spring has Sprung & it’s the perfect season to bathe in the glorious sunshine after our long cold winter. Blossoms are blooming, birds are chirping and what better way to spend your morning than outdoors with your tribe at Gresswell Forest, located in Melbourne’s north-east suburb of Macleod.

Join us for a weekly bush kids program (10 sessions) where families gather to enjoy all the benefits that nature has to offer. This forest location provides children and their families the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature as its bush all the way! There will be a fair bit of kangaroo and wildlife spotting along the many tracks, a creek, nature cubbies, and logs to climb and balance on.

Our Bush kids program is for children aged 3 -6 years is specifically aimed at developing and learning new skills through bush crafts, Indigenous/Australian stories and educational bush walks that inspires a develop love and deep connection to nature and encourages the use of gross motor skills through climbing, balancing and building.

We investigate a different topic each week like dragonflies, seeds, frogs, sticks, feathers, nests etc. Each term a different theme too from Seasonal Changes, Life Cycles, Indigenous stories, local history and culture, ecosystems etc. The children will also be introduced to the use of tools in an age-appropriate and safe environment.

Our Newport lakes bush kids program is run by Penny who 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 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.

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

Ages: 3 1/2– 6 years (siblings under 14 months are welcome to attend for free).

*Parents are responsible for their children at all times.