Nature’s Playground

Free to be – Bush Play and Learning (Free to be) is a community-oriented organisations dedicated to getting children out into the bush and having fun.  

The all-weather “bush play villages” run by Free to be bring children into the bush to explore and take part in child led activities including making potions, climbing trees, playing with mud or jumping in puddles. 

Founder Roxanne Wood started the organisation two-years-ago and it had grown in popularity ever since. 

“They are all outdoors and are all about community, connection and freedom,” Ms Wood said.  

“We are very passionate that children have the freedom to explore. 

“We might bring in an idea or a resource, such as potion making, and they might not engage with that at all because they find a puddle more interesting, or some clay we have supplied, it is very child-led.” 

Through risky play activities such as tree climbing, children become more independent and gain a stronger understanding of the world around them.  

Free to be host weekly “bush play villages” for children up to six-years-old in Howrah, Dru Point and Collinsvale, and special school holiday programs for slightly older kids.