What if parents and carers could lead the next wave of nature play in their own neighbourhoods — no facilitators needed? That’s the idea behind Family Explorers, a fully funded Bush Kindy Learning initiative designed to empower families with the confidence, tools and community connections to start and sustain their own bush playgroups.
Free to attend and open to parents and carers with children of all ages, Family Explorers is a space for shared learning, hands-on discovery and relationship-building — all while exploring the joy of nature play together.
Planting the Seeds of Leadership
Over the past few years, Bush Kindy Teaching programs have become a treasured part of the community — helping families connect, children thrive, and nature become a normal part of everyday learning. But we know that for this movement to keep growing, it needs to be owned by the community.
Family Explorers is our way of handing over the reins. It's an invitation for parents/carer to experience nature play not just as participants, but as potential leaders. Over ten two-hour sessions, families join Areta and a team of inspiring facilitators and community Elders to explore what it means to create a nature playgroup from the ground up.
Through play, conversation and collaboration, parents and carers gain practical skills and confidence to start their own community-led playgroups — bringing nature play to parks, reserves and green spaces right across the region.
What Makes This Program Different?
It’s free. Thanks to funding support from the KENG Helping Hand Grant and Bendigo Bank, there’s no cost to families.
You can bring your children. Children attend alongside their parent or carer, with opportunities for meaningful play and connection throughout.
It’s led by community. Areta is joined by Aunty Faith Green, Aunty Sally Terare, and Play Matters Australia, creating a unique blend of professional guidance and cultural insight.
It’s about building capacity. By the end of the program, participants leave with the skills, resources and network to begin their own playgroup journeys.
What You’ll Learn
Each session includes a mix of practical activities, reflective discussion and nature play experiences that support parents to:
Develop their own play philosophy and vision
Understand site selection and safety planning
Build environmental awareness with children
Embrace seasonal shifts, weather, and bush-safe clothing
Explore nature play ideas for ages 0–8
Discover outdoor games and resilience-building techniques
Connect with Elders, artists, and nature play professionals
Access insurance and support through Play Matters affiliation
Parents will also receive handmade materials, printed resources, and a certificate of attendance at a final graduation celebration.
A Community of Support
Family Explorers is more than a training program — it’s a growing network of like-minded families who want to share the beauty of nature play. With opportunities to connect with other parents, access peer mentoring, and join other KENG community offerings, this initiative helps families feel supported from the very first session.
We believe real change happens when the community leads. This program is a gentle but powerful step in that direction.
Ready to Explore?
Children welcome and to be supervised at all times.
This program is made possible thanks to the support of Kingston East Neighbourhood Group (KENG), Bendigo Bank, and Play Matters Australia.
