Nature Playgroup Illawarra
Nature Playgroup
Our Bush Playgroups in Wollongong, for parents and carers of children 0 – 5 years old to attend together.
Nature Playgroup Programs in Wollongong
Explore Our Outdoor Nature Playgroup in Illawarra
Welcome to FOLKplay – Forest of Lucky Kids. Come watch your child’s curiosity ignite! Our Nature Playgroups are held in the forests of Wollongong, Illawarra. With free, unstructured playtime in nature. We take a Forest Schooling approach by providing nature-based activities to encourage child-led play.
Unlike other playgroups, we are completely outside (with undercover areas available). We have fires, play in mud, make nature inspired craft, storytelling amongst the trees, explore native flora and fauna and so much more!
Join us to PLAY in the open outdoors!
Nature Play Programs For Kids
Who Runs Your Nature Playgroup?
FOLKplay employs experienced Teachers and Outdoor Educators who support a focus on unstructured play in nature. We are fully insured and have an excellent safety record. FOLKplay runs all year round, operating primarily as a Forest School for 0-13 years of age.
We are excellent at holding space for children to explore, and BE KIDS!
Forest Schooling Approach
Our Nature Playgroup Activities
Here are some of the activities on offer:
- Building fires (fire bans assessed daily)
- Creek exploration and playing in mud (both sites have beautiful flowing creeks)
- Nature inspired art and clay craft
- Playing in the Bush Kitchen
- Woodwork and using tools
- Painting
- Building shelters in the forest
- Storytelling amongst the trees
- Walking through the bush
- Playing in leaves
- Learning about birds and animals
- Cooking vege stew on a camp oven
Nature Based Play Illawarra
Our Nature Playgroup Details
Who
- For parents and carers of children aged 0 – 5 years to attend together.
Where
- Mt Keira Girl Guides’ Campsite. (See map below…)
When
- 9.30 – 11.15am
- Wednesdays and Fridays – Mt Keira Girl Guides Campsite
BYO Food and water
- Check out our FAQs below...
Come Play in the Forest of Lucky Kids at our Nature Playgroup Illawarra
Book now to reserve a spot for your child.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
FOLKplay Nature Playgroup is an “all weather” program. This means we will not cancel the program if it is raining. In fact, in the rain is where the magic happens! Pack a rain jacket and spare everything.
Please note, each site has an undercover area where we can have fires and keep warm and gather together in heavy rain or storms.
Yes! Our Nature Playgroup is designed for parents and carers of children from 0 – 5 years to attend together. It’s an opportunity for you to play with your child in a different setting from your home. A space to create, wind down and feel inspired.
No! All babes in arms are free with an attending sibling. If however, you wish to come and bring only your newborn to meet other parents and connect with them in the outdoors, you will need to book and pay for a spot online.
Your first child is full price. Each additional child gets a 10% discount.
If the program is cancelled due to a severe weather event, we will credit you with the opportunity to attend another Folk Play Program valued at the same price.
If a session is cancelled after it has already begun due to weather or safety concerns, we are unable to give a refund or credit the session fees.
If you are absent from a program due to illness, holiday or any other reason, NO refund will be offered.
If we need to cancel the program due to an extreme weather event warning (eg bush fires), a credit will be offered.
It’s best to wear:
Long pants
Good walking shoes
Woollen socks (if possible – better for breathing, blisters and leeches)
Breathable long sleeve shirt
A hat
Please bring your own:
Lunch, morning and afternoon tea
Minimum 2 litres of drinking water
Sometimes we make vegetable stew on the camp fire – we will provide this. We also make and cook damper on the fire
Please bring in your own bag:
Lunch, morning and afternoon tea
Minimum 2 litres of drinking water
Bring a rain jacket
Spare pair of closed shoes
Spare full set of clothes
Spare socks and underwear
Towel
Plastic bag (to put wet or muddy gear in)
A hat! Or wear it on your head!
FOLKplay runs a Bush ‘Skool’ program for independent 3 – 10 year olds.
FOLKplay also run a School Holiday Program filled with adventure, exploration, and fun! For 5 – 13 year olds. Places are limited and it fills up fast so BOOK IN!
Still have questions?
Please get in touch if you have more questions about our programs.