Spring School Holiday Adventures in the Forest
What an incredible school holidays it's been here in Brisbane and on the Sunshine Coast! The weather was absolutely magical—cool breezes, sunlight filtering through the trees, and not a drop of rain. It set the perfect stage for the kids to dive into their forest adventures.
Throughout the week, the children worked together in our school holiday workshops, creating tiny villages of cubby houses. Watching them collaborate, share ideas, and build their little communities was inspiring. Their imaginations ran wild as they transformed natural elements into homes, showing just how powerful unstructured play can be.
In one of our quieter moments, the kids sat in a calm circle whittling with knives. They created primitive tools and play weapons, focused and at peace in nature. It was amazing to watch them master the use of hand saws and hack saws, building confidence while working together on the saw horse. These skills are so empowering for young minds, and there's no better classroom than the great outdoors.
Art and adventure collided as the children painted with clay, balancing along logs and dams they had built themselves. Their creativity soared, and their physical skills were challenged in the most joyful ways. The kids also enjoyed making damper on sticks and popping popcorn over the fire—the last time we'll do it this year before the summer heat sets in. There’s something special about these campfire moments, and it’s always a highlight of our kids workshops.
This school holiday also marked the start of our first raft-building sessions of the year! The children scavenged materials to upcycle into rafts and floated them in the creek. Their excitement as they tested their creations was infectious, and each raft launch was met with cheers and laughter.
Our full-day forest play programs were a huge hit this time around. Many children entered deep states of flow, fully immersed in their play for hours. They made new friendships, built social-emotional skills, and found joy in the simplest things—whether it was getting covered in mud or exploring new parts of the forest. The look on their faces said it all—pure happiness.
At our Mount Coot-tha site in Brisbane, we took the kids on nature scavenger hunts, where they spotted koalas, kookaburras, water dragons, and tree snakes. The children were thrilled when we saw a lace monitor, and their curiosity was piqued by the water spiders, huntsman, and the bright blue quandong seeds we found. We even spotted striped marsh frogs and brush turkeys! These wildlife sightings made our school holiday workshops feel like true nature safaris.
And we had a special guest this week! Rick J Petersen from SBS's Alone Australia joined us at our Sunshine Coast program, teaching the children vital survival skills. The kids were captivated by his knowledge and loved learning from a real wilderness expert. It was such a treat for them, and the excitement was palpable.
Reflecting on this incredible school holiday, we’re reminded of the magic that happens when children connect with nature. Our Brisbane and Sunshine Coast kids workshops offer more than just play—they give children the freedom to explore, learn, and grow in an environment that nurtures creativity, resilience, and deep connections. These are memories that will last long after the school holidays are over.
Until our next school holiday adventure.
Stay Wild! 🌿✨
Here are some other ways we can help your kids connect with nature:
Make the Most of School Holidays: Jump on our exclusive mailing list to be notified of our Adventure-Packed Holiday Program Today!
Celebrate in the Wild: Reserve Your Child's Unforgettable Birthday Party with Us!
Bring the Classroom Outdoors: Schedule an Inspiring School Excursion or Incursion with Wildlings Forest School!