The Case Against Large Movie Excursions
As an educator, planning excursions for large groups of children can be a challenge, especially when those excursions involve taking them to the movies. What might seem like a straightforward, passive activity quickly turns into a stressful event filled with logistical hurdles, from keeping track of children to managing their behaviour in a public space.
Let’s explore why movie excursions often fall short, especially in OSCH programs around Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, and why shifting to nature-based excursions or incursions in wild spaces offers a better alternative that aligns with sustainability, ecological learning, and building a sense of belonging among children.
The Problems with Movie Excursions
1. Age-Appropriate Content is Hard to Find
One of the biggest challenges with movie excursions is finding a film that appeals to a broad age range. In care settings, children often range from 5 to 12 years old, and finding a movie that’s engaging and suitable for all can feel impossible. What might entertain a five-year-old can bore a twelve-year-old, and older kids may want something that’s not appropriate for the younger ones. This results in disengaged children, which often leads to behavioural issues during what was supposed to be a fun day out.
2. Safety Concerns in Public Spaces
Large excursions in public spaces like movie theatres come with heightened safety concerns. Managing a large group of kids in a busy, public area means constantly doing headcounts, worrying about bathroom breaks, and making sure no one wanders off. The darkness and crowded nature of movie theatres make it difficult to keep an eye on everyone, leading to stress for educators and a high level of anxiety around safety.
3. Behavioural Pushback
Movie excursions also tend to lead to more behavioural issues, as kids often resist following group rules in public. Whether it’s keeping voices down, staying seated, or staying close to the group, children in these settings tend to test boundaries. What was meant to be an “easy” activity becomes a tense exercise in crowd control.
Why Nature-Based Excursions Are a Better Fit for OSCH
Now imagine swapping that crowded movie theatre for a wild natural space right here in Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast. Nature-based excursions or incursions offer a completely different, more engaging experience that allows children to explore and learn at their own pace. Here’s why these are a better fit for OSCH educators:
1. Unstructured Play for All Ages
Natural spaces are the perfect backdrop for unstructured play, which works for children of all ages. Whether it’s climbing trees, building forts, or exploring water features, nature provides endless opportunities for kids to engage in age-appropriate activities. You don’t have to worry about whether the experience is suitable for everyone—nature takes care of that.
2. Safety in Open, Controlled Spaces
Unlike public movie theatres, a controlled natural environment allows for easier supervision. Open spaces make it simpler to keep track of children, and with no other people around, you can focus on the group’s wellbeing without the stress of crowds. The chances of losing a child in a vast, empty natural space are far lower than in a busy urban setting, making safety easier to manage.
3. Fewer Behavioural Issues
Children are less likely to push back against rules in a natural setting. Nature encourages movement, exploration, and curiosity, which keeps children engaged and reduces the need for strict behaviour guidelines. Instead of sitting still and feeling confined, they can run, climb, and explore freely—within safe boundaries, of course.
4. Alignment with Sustainability and Ecological Learning
For OSCH programs that value sustainability and ecological learning, nature-based excursions or incursions provide an ideal platform. These experiences immerse children in nature, teaching them about the environment, conservation, and the interconnectedness of all living things. By giving them hands-on learning experiences, you’re fostering a deep appreciation for the natural world and supporting sustainability education.
5. Creating a Sense of Belonging
Nature-based activities help children feel more connected—to their peers, their environment, and themselves. In wild spaces, kids naturally form stronger bonds with each other as they work together to build shelters, solve problems, and explore their surroundings. This sense of belonging is something that indoor, passive activities like movie excursions simply can’t offer.
If bringing more nature into your OSCH environment in Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast isn’t feasible, nature can come to you! Wildlings Forest School offers excursions and incursions designed to connect children with the natural world, supporting sustainability and ecological learning through hands-on experiences with hand tools and natural resources. Our programs help foster a sense of belonging and encourage children to engage in unstructured nature play that aligns with the core values of sustainability and ecological education.
Let us help you transform your OSCH program—because the best excursions don’t happen in theatres, they happen in nature!
We’re here to help your kids connect with nature: