Playful By Nature

24/02/2026

It's time to MEET the whole team for 2026.
There are 4 regulars this year.

Let's start with me- Chrissie!

Nearly 3 years ago I ran our first Playful session. It was a Bush Kindy for families, including my own kids at 1.5yrs and 4yo at the time and quite different to what things look like now. Yes, you may have heard me say then that 'this was meant to be a side hustle' but it's absolutely not 'side' to anything any more. Looking back, I'm already really proud of where we stand and what we've created. Intentional use of the word 'we' there. Yes I started this, but it has NEVER been alone.

I absolutely love getting kids and families outdoors — especially into beautiful natural spaces like parks and bush areas. There’s something so special about watching families connect, explore, and create lasting memories together in nature.

Before creating this community, I wore many hats — I’ve been a teacher, a zookeeper, a snorkel guide, a biologist by trade and had plenty of other random adventures along the way! Every role has shaped who I am and how I see the world. But more than anything, I’m most proud of my own little family. They are the real reason I’m so passionate about childhood, connection and nature.

We’ve built such a lovely community at our sessions, and one of my greatest joys is seeing family relationships grow over time — alongside childhoods filled with shared outdoor adventures.

My favourite moments? Being led by the hand with an excited little finger point and hearing, “Miss Chrissie, come check this out!” 💚

I truly believe we are part of nature. Developmentally, we need quality play opportunities at every age to grow and maintain healthy bodies and minds- and yes I mean you too, teens and adults. In the early years especially, outdoor play helps build strong brains — creating synapses and connections that support lifelong learning and wellbeing.

I feel so grateful and humbled to do what I do. I don't feel like an expert in anything, just a real, mistake-making human, doing my best to bridge barriers & gaps I can see. I have some big goals, but not at the expense of real, genuine, grass roots sessions for our local community.

I can't wait for you to meet the rest of this wonderful team in the coming days, or come meet us at a session soon.

20/02/2026

Huge Shoutout to our friends at Highfields Florist!

Claire and her team offered a great big bunch of leftover flowers for us to love. And love we did.
Our Nature Playgroup families had a blast with open ended invitations and petal/stem creations everywhere!

We're calling it Nature's Kitchen today. Tomorrow that'll probably be different.

Thankyou community, thankyou Claire.

18/02/2026

A Wednesday well spent.
Nature foraging. Location scouting.

Where were we (Chrissie and apprentice 4yo)?
Comment below 🙂

We are available for collaborations. Got an idea?
Contact us, let's bring it to life together.

15/02/2026

12/02/2026

Meet Trixie!

Our Loose Parts Trailer is ready to go for 2026, and she's popping at the seams. Literally. Fitting everything in is getting more difficult.

Available as an Incursion, or for weekly hire.

Suitable for OSHC, Schools, Daycares, Kindys, Events and anyone looking to re-style play for a while.
Comes with paperwork including Risk Assessments, Loose Parts discussions, techniques and facilitation options.

0409 081 173 or chrissie@playfulbynature.com.au for bookings.

06/02/2026

04/02/2026

Did you know?
PLAY is growing your child's BRAIN!

It is SO incredibly essential for development.

We love sharing important information for families and educators.

Thanks Play Australia!

30/01/2026

🌿 Nature’s Treasures Activity (and Sanity-Saver) Idea 🌿

🧺 Make a Treasure Box together:
• Sew a little bag together, or with a grandparent
• Repurpose an egg carton or shoebox (paint & decorate it!)
• Grab an inexpensive plastic container with compartments for tiny finds

Let them decorate it, label it, and make it theirs.

Go on a nature walk and let your child lead the way — follow their pace, curiosity, and sense of wonder.

Collect fallen “treasures” along the way: leaves, rocks, sticks, feathers… chat about textures, colours, and whatever captures their interest in the moment.

🔍 Adding a magnifying glass is a game-changer for investigating treasures up close. (grab a good one)
🚗 Keep the box in the car and suddenly there’s a designated home for all those “special” rocks, sticks, gravel and leaves… instead of the car floor (IYKYK 😅)

Simple, meaningful, and can be done almost anywhere.

Yesterday, 23 children created small ones using leftover pots at Playful Kids and then collected in a small area nearby- they found SO MANY cool items. Thanks Peacehaven!

For more simple ideas like this, plus a community of great people, Nature Playgroup starts NEXT FRIDAY. We'd love you to be a part of the play and the natural magic.

22/01/2026

🌟 Rare Opportunity – Kindy Program 2026 🌟
Due to increased staff capacity in 2026, we are offering 1–2 additional spots in our highly regarded Kindy Program.

Who this is for:
• Services seeking high-quality, planned incursions or excursions aligned with the EYLF
• Educators looking to upskill and strengthen their practice
• Teams who already do Bush Kindy and are looking to complement, extend or outsource parts
• Teams who want to do Bush Kindy and are ready to plan intentionally, with advice and resources to assist.

What’s included:
• Monthly, in-person sessions for your children
• All risk assessments, resources, site checks/ bookings done FOR you (time-saver alert!)
• Ongoing collaboration and local expert guidance to design, refine, and strengthen your unique service pedagogy or goals

Flexible options to suit your service and program goals:
• Deep Dive- excursions within walking distance at your local park
• Explorer- excursions at different locations throughout the year
• Incursions
• Or a mix of the above

🌿 Sessions usually start in February for 11 sessions throughout 2026.
📩 Enquire now — maximum 2 spots available (Tuesdays or Thursdays available)

Imagine the outcomes!

Educators, enquire now. Parents, tell your centre/Kindy!

chrissie@playfulbynature.com.au or call 0409 081 173

19/01/2026

Public Service Announcement

The Peacehaven Park Creek is on today, but maybe not for long! Enjoy!
Thankyou!

18/01/2026

In a world generated by AI and fakes,

Let's give our kids the REAL experiences that turn into core memories that shape their brain and play that builds synapses.

Let's live our best lives in the real world- nature.
Now that's a REAL world childhood.

Tell us your stories of playing in the rain below....

This was when we left our cousin's Brissie house fully covered with umbrellas, gumboots and raincoats. But ended up much better off- completely soaked, barefoot, running and laying in the water (adults included).
4 x cousins, 2 x aunties, a gazillion smiles, a memory that will last, and of course kids who weren't cooped up in the house for the whole wet day!

It can be so simple, and free.

12/01/2026

We have a lot of new faces, welcome to one and all.
We have a had a lot of enquiries...with great questions.
Know that you are in a great spot for the natural development of your family.
Building a local nature play community.