Nature Play SA

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Nature Play SA 🌿 Nature Play SA is a not-for-profit dedicated to increasing the time SA children spend outdoors. Nature Play SA Inc.

aims to increase the time South Australian children spend in unstructured play outdoors and in nature as this is fundamental to a full and healthy childhood. Nature play is, of itself, an intrinsic good and from it flow benefits in health, cognitive, social and emotional development and in the building of resilience and creativity. Experience in nature as a child also leads to environmental stewardship later in life.

🐦 You asked, we listened – another Bird Appreciation Walk is here!Our Bird Appreciation Walks proved incredibly popular,...
16/10/2026

🐦 You asked, we listened – another Bird Appreciation Walk is here!

Our Bird Appreciation Walks proved incredibly popular, so we’re excited to open up another opportunity to join us among the trees at Belair National Park.

Come along for a relaxed afternoon walk as we slow down, look and listen for birds, hear stories about their lives and behaviours, and learn some simple ways to identify the birds we encounter.

🌿 Bird Appreciation Walk
📍 Belair National Park – Karka Pavilion
📅 Thursday 22 October
⏰ 4.00–5.00pm
🎟️ FREE – registrations essential
🚗 Vehicle entry is free for registered attendees

You don’t need to be a birdwatcher or know your bird names – curiosity is enough. All ages are welcome, and you’ll receive your own bird resources to take home.

We’ll also be taking part in the BirdLife Australia Aussie Bird Count, recording the birds we spot together.

Our last walks filled quickly, so if you missed out, this is your chance to join us. 🐦🌿

Book your free place now 👇
https://events.humanitix.com/bird-appreciation-walk-at-belair-national-park-22-october-2026

Supported by Green Adelaide and National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia.

09/10/2026

Join Nature Play SA and SA Water at Myponga Reservoir Reserve this spring, for a range of free Birdwatching Walks and Ecology Walks. Learn more about birdwatching and discover some of the local birdlife and habitat or come and explore the relationships between culture, biodiversity and conservation at the reservoir reserve.

🌿 Learn more: https://natureplaysa.org.au/np-events/reservoirs-for-nature/

Places are limited and registrations are essential.

These events are part of SA Water’s climate change and biodiversity initiative Reservoirs for Nature, that is restoring habitat at Myponga and Mount Bold reservoir reserves to support recovery of threatened species, including woodland birds.

https://watertalks.sawater.com.au/reservoirs-for-nature
Reservoirs South Australia

We’re still smiling (and still finding mud!) after an incredible time at Muddy Hands Festival 🤎👋🏼It was so special to se...
08/10/2026

We’re still smiling (and still finding mud!) after an incredible time at Muddy Hands Festival 🤎👋🏼

It was so special to see children and families getting stuck into the joy of messy, hands-on play digging, creating, exploring, laughing and letting curiosity lead the way.

A huge thank you to City of Tea Tree Gully for having us along to be part of such a wonderful celebration of nature play.

And to everyone who joined us and embraced the mud, thank you for making the day what it was! 🌿



📷 mike hemus

Can you guess our favourite month at Nature Play SA? HINT: We’re in it! 🌼🌸We have a jam-packed SPRING events schedule wi...
28/09/2026

Can you guess our favourite month at Nature Play SA? HINT: We’re in it! 🌼🌸

We have a jam-packed SPRING events schedule with so many wonderful, family-friendly opportunities to get out in the sunshine and connect with nature and the community.

We can’t wait to see you there 🌿👋🏼

See WHAT’S ON this spring and register: https://natureplaysa.org.au/np-events/whats-on/

Looking for a fun way to get the kids outdoors these school holidays? 🌿🐦Join us and SA Water at Myponga Reservoir Reserv...
28/09/2026

Looking for a fun way to get the kids outdoors these school holidays? 🌿🐦
Join us and SA Water at Myponga Reservoir Reserve for family-friendly birdwatching and ecology walks. Discover local wildlife, learn about birds and explore the beautiful reservoir.

Places are limited, so book early! 🌱

Find dates and book here: https://natureplaysa.org.au/np-events/reservoirs-for-nature/

Birdwatching for beginners at Myponga Reservoir Reserve.New to birdwatching, or keen to try it as a family? Join Nature ...
22/09/2026

Birdwatching for beginners at Myponga Reservoir Reserve.

New to birdwatching, or keen to try it as a family? Join Nature Play SA and SA Water on Monday 28 September for tips on finding and identifying birds at Myponga Reservoir Reserve.

Discover more about the birds that call the reservoir reserve home, including species such as the Scarlet Robin, and have a go at spotting some for yourself.

No birdwatching experience needed. Binoculars and bird identification materials will be provided. After the session, you’ll receive your own birdwatching checklist and a selection of resources to take home.

Registrations are essential. Further details and bookings via Humanitix. https://tinyurl.com/2s4dzphb

This event is part of SA Water’s climate change and biodiversity initiative Reservoirs for Nature, that is restoring habitat at Myponga and Mount Bold reservoir reserves to support recovery of threatened species, including woodland birds.

18/09/2026

🌿 SPRING DIY: Nature Wands 🪄

This easy, free and toddler-friendly spring activity is perfect for little hands and big imaginations!

Head outside together and forage for some natural treasures. All you need is:

🌿Sticks
🍁Leaves
🌰Gum nuts
🌸 Flowers
🌱Twine
(or any other beautiful natural elements you discover)

Secure your elements to the top with some twine, and just like that… you’ve got a nature wand ready for adventures and all kinds of imaginative fun! 🧚‍♀️✨

🌿 Want to make one with us?

We’ll be making nature wands at Muddy Hands Festival these school holidays!

📅 Wednesday 30 September
⏰ 10am–3pm
📍 Golden Fields Reserve, Golden Grove

Come along for muddy fun, nature play activities and plenty of opportunities to connect with natural elements 💚

We’d love to see you there!

15/09/2026

🌿 WE’RE LIVE! 🌿

The wait is over! Introducing PLAY TO THRIVE - our online, self-paced professional learning program, designed to help Australian educators bring Nature Play into practice with greater intention, confidence and purpose.

Perfect for teams and whole schools or centres to complete together, Play to Thrive builds shared knowledge, common language and a stronger, more intentional approach to Nature Play.

Grounded in research, expert voices and real-world practice, the program includes:

✨ 8 expert-informed modules
🌱 Practical strategies for your setting
🧠 Research-informed approaches to play, wellbeing and development
📝 Downloadable resources and reflective tools
🌿 Self-paced learning for individuals or teams

Together, we can reclaim childhood by placing nature at the heart of children’s development, intentionally creating nature play experiences that build the foundations for resilience, wonder, wellbeing, and a lasting sense of belonging.

🌿 ENROLMENTS ARE NOW OPEN!

👉 Learn more and ENROL here: https://natureplaysa.org.au/educators/professional-development/play-to-thrive-course/

📹

11/09/2026

🌿 Meet the professional learning program we’ve been building for Australian educators.

Introducing…

✨PLAY TO THRIVE✨

A new self-paced online professional learning program, that supports educators in bringing intentional, inclusive and evidence-informed Nature Play into everyday practice.

Across 8 expert-led modules, you’ll explore the foundations of Nature Play, overcoming barriers, play pedagogy, risk, wellbeing, brain development, documentation and importantly - children’s voices.

You’ll hear from researchers, educators, cultural leaders, play therapy specialists and curriculum experts, alongside members of our Nature Play SA team who bring years of hands-on experience from the field.

You may recognise Cam, our resident master cubby-builder and Nature Play guru, known for his impressive dreadlocks and charisma – who works closely with school students to connect them with nature.

These expert voices not only share the evidence behind Nature Play, but also the HOW - practical ways to bring it into your practice, schools and centres.

We’re so excited to share Play to Thrive with you. Its release is JUST around the corner! 🌿✨

Join our mailing list to be the first to know when enrolments open!

👉https://mailchi.mp/natureplaysa/8dqx34hhbk

📹

09/09/2026

At the heart of meaningful Nature Play is the image of the child. 🌿

Children are capable, curious and full of potential - protagonists of their own learning, not passive recipients of what we teach.

As part of our COMING SOON project, we were privileged to hear from Kate Mount, Chair of Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange and Early Childhood Educator leadership specialist, about the importance of the image of the child and how it shapes our practice.

Kate also reflected on the well-established benefits of Nature Play, highlighting its positive impact on children’s wellbeing, resilience, emotional regulation, sense of belonging, curiosity and overall development.

Because knowing why Nature Play matters is one thing. Knowing how to make it intentional, inclusive and evidence-informed is another.

And that’s exactly what we’ve been working on.

And we’re almost ready to show you 👀

👉 Join our mailing list to be the first to know: https://mailchi.mp/natureplaysa/8dqx34hhbk

📹

Address

Wittunga Botanic Gardens, Cnr Sherbourne + Shepherds Hill Roads
Adelaide, SA
5051

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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