Join us for a weekly group (11 sessions) of nature connection, nature play and nature craft art, stories, song, learning and exploration in the bush at the beautiful Newport Lakes Reserve, a bushland oasis in Newport, inner West of Melbourne!

Our Newport Lakes playgroup is run by Kirsti, an experienced early childhood educator who has extensive experience working with children and supporting families from diverse backgrounds. It’s the perfect inner west – city location for our bush playgroup as it’s home to an abundance of birdlife with its beautiful wetlands and lake.

Eco Explorers playgroup offers a wide range of nature based, sensory play activities for your child to enjoy. There is a different theme each week, as well as our usual picnic and story time on the mat, song and craft sessions, climbing, balancing, building and learning about our natural environment.

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 playgroups bring together a community of like-minded parents who are supportive and welcoming.

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

*Parents are responsible for their children at all times.