Nature Plays

Honouring the quiet, connective work that keeps things growing 🌱

Roots hold soil together. Mycelium feeds the whole forests underground, unseen. Sound like anyone we know?

This Women’s Day, we’re thinking about the quiet, connective work that keeps things growing 🧚‍♀️🍄✨

Did you know children are naturally better at keeping warm than adults 🔥?

Time outdoors (yes, even in the cold) helps their bodies adapt and thrive.

Read more about the benefits of all-weather play
→ link in bio 🌿

🌳 Forest School Groups Now Open in Hout Bay! 🌳

Bird watching, foraging, tool work, building forts from fallen branches, nature arts and crafts, and stories under the trees! this is childhood the way it should be. 🍃

At our beautiful riverside space, kids get to explore, build, discover, and enjoy the great outdoors rain or shine (we’ve got indoor space for those all-weather days too).

New term starts: 29 July- 16 September

🎒Explorer Mom & Tot Group — Ages 2-4, with parent/guardian
Wednesdays 09:30-11:30

🔎 Discoverers — Ages 4-10, drop-off or parent joins
Wednesdays 15:00-17:00

Why Forest School? 🌲
✨ Builds confidence & independence
🧠 Strengthens problem-solving skills
🎨 Sparks imagination & creativity
⚖️ Teaches risk assessment & resilience
🌤️ The simple joy of outdoor play

Spaces are limited, so don’t wait!
👉 Book at www.natureplays.com
📩 Or email [email protected] for a TRIAL

Did you know we also have extra murals at Forest House?

Looking for a smaller, fixed-location outdoor programme for younger children? Our much-loved Forest House afternoon sessions are now open to all families!

Each session follows a gentle rhythm of play, nature exploration, stories, songs, and hands-on activities inspired by a new weekly theme.

Email [email protected] for a free trial.

Fresh air is not the enemy 💨💫
It’s time to rethink what really keeps children well in winter → more time outside, not less.

If you missed this one, you can find more myth-busting insights in the blog linked in our bio!

There’s something deeply satisfying about the simple act of hammering 🔨

It’s rhythmic, focused, and surprisingly calming. For children, it taps into a very natural urge to explore, build, and experiment. Even babies begin with that same pounding motion… this is just an extension of that instinct.

Nail boards are one of our favourite ways to invite open-ended play. No instructions, no pressure, no “right way”, just a few simple materials and space for creativity to unfold.

Add some colourful elastics and suddenly it becomes pattern-making, problem-solving, storytelling… all led by the child.

There really is magic in the making ✨

Save this for your next play setup!

WHY WE EXIST

Childhood has changed.
Days are often fuller and faster.
Time outdoors competes with busy schedules and indoor routines.

Opportunities for extended, unstructured play in nature can become surprisingly limited. And yet, children still need what they have always needed...

Space to move their bodies - run, climb, roll.
Freedom to imagine, ponder questions, explore curiosities and play make belief. Explore manageable risks to test themselves against.

“Is this log stable?” “Can I reach that branch?” “Will this hurt if I touch it?”

Meaningful connection to the natural world. Feel the wind on their skin, the still hush of trees, the peaceful effect of bird song and running water.

Time in nature offers something steady and grounding. It invites children to solve problems with their whole selves, using their minds, bodies, gut instinct and observations of the world.

It strengthens confidence, resilience and creativity in ways that feel embodied and lasting. In other words, helping them become whole,
heart-centred human beings.

We exist because we believe outdoor play is not an extra. It is foundational to healthy development and to a childhood that is richer, more expansive and dynamic.

If this resonates with you, we share more about our philosophy and the vision behind our work on our website.

Link in bio!

🌸🌞🌳🦋🍄

WHAT WE DO

🐞 Weekly sessions
Throughout the year, we create consistent, seasonally aligned outdoor programmes where children can return to the forest, build confidence and form meaningful connections with peers and their own internal landscape.

🏡 Forest House Playgroup
A typical day at Forest House playgroup involves, circle time, forest exploration, creative expression, story time, and child centred learning.
At Forest House, children learn through play, exploration and immersive experiences in nature. Guided by a child-led approach, we nurture creativity, confidence, resilience and social-emotional development while supporting literacy, numeracy and curiosity through meaningful outdoor experiences.

👣 Holiday Club
Kids explore and play in nature, connect with the natural environment, meet new friends and feel the awe and wonder that being in the forest has on us. We take our lead from the children’s interest and the conditions of the day, exploring insects and their habitats, building dens, creating woodland crafts, going on adventurous walks and more.

🎉 Birthday Parties
Our parties are a unique way to celebrate your little one’s birthday. Our activities are all-ages-friendly and can be adapted to suit their age and your child’s unique interests.

🔎 School Outings
School outings at Nature Plays deepen children’s understanding of their school curriculum through meaningful, hands-on and experiential learning opportunities. Rather than simply learning concepts in the classroom, children actively explore, discover and engage with topics through real-life experiences in nature.

If you’re curious about which programme might suit your child, you’ll find all the details and enrolment information on our website.

Link in bio!

🌸🌞🌳🦋🍄