Nature
Playgroup
Where the mud washes off - but the learning sticks.
Research keeps telling us what our hearts already know: outdoor nature-based play builds strong, capable, resilient humans.
At Outplay. Outlearn., our nature playgroup isn’t a “class” you attend - it’s a community you join. A tribe of parents, caregivers, and children who believe that the best learning happens when hands are dirty, hearts are full, and curiosity is the curriculum.
Here, children lead. They climb, dig, experiment, question, imagine, and collaborate. They discover how strong their bodies are, how clever their ideas can be, and how good it feels to belong.
We don’t rush them toward milestones - we walk alongside them as they grow into brave, capable humans who know how to think, care, and wonder.
Research calls it experiential learning. We just call it childhood, done right.
Raising Capable, Confident, Connected Kids.
For the Grown-Ups
This is your village too.
We know how isolating modern parenting can feel — so we’ve built something different: a space where conscious parents and outdoorsy adults can connect, and find their people.
We know that connection doesn’t happen in a single morning — it takes repetition, shared laughter, a few soggy mornings, and a lot of “see you next week.” That’s why we ask families to commit for the full term. It gives everyone (kids and grown-ups alike) the chance to warm up, settle in, and build something real. We see it typically take 6-7 weeks before kids and their grown-ups get into the swing of things - trial sessions just don’t do it justice because the magic is in turning up each week and slowly, slowly getting to know the others in the group, and letting the ‘small talk’ phase pass us by.
We’ve all heard that more time outside in nature is good for our physical and mental wellbeing - but this can be easier said than done with little kids. We’re out here to make a community of caregivers looking out for little ones so that we can all get a healthy dose of ‘vitamin N’ (nature!)
How it works
Each week we gather at a different park or reserve across Selwyn and the surrounding areas, with our mobile forest-school learning environment. You’ll find an ever-evolving set-up of books, arts and crafts, eco-based provocations, curiosity stations, our little “discovery kitchen,” and a rotating mix of activities for busy hands — bubbles, sensory swing, hammock, loose parts, and the occasional duck or eel encounter.
We’re inspired by the forest schools of Scandinavia and draw thoughtfully from the best of Waldorf, Charlotte Mason, Montessori and other alternative early childhood philosophies — all of which agree on one thing: young children thrive with abundant time outdoors.
Our mobile play-space is designed with ages 2+ in mind, but younger children and babies are absolutely welcome (babies under one join free with an older sibling). We know this offering speaks to many parents of under 1’s, and we encourage you to get hands-on, join in the activities, chat with other parents, and be part of our community rather than staying parked on the kai mat with your pēpi.
Our sites offer endless opportunities for infants and toddlers to develop their emerging motor skills, and parents are encouraged to participate on their behalf if they are too young themselves — crafting for them, sowing seeds they’ll snack on later, and letting them soak up the richness of watching older children at play.
We play in almost all weather - rain, mist, drizzle, light snow, the odd nor’wester (unless a weather warning, high winds, or excessive heat make it unsafe.) We know this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but our sessions will run rain or shine because there’s immense value in experiencing the world in all its moods. Tamariki learn resilience, confidence, and curiosity when nature isn’t edited for our comfort.
Join Us
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Tuesdays. Term 1 2026
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Thursdays. Term 1 2026
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