Nature Play Forest Festival

The Nature Play Forest Festival was a huge success, drawing in a record number of families over its two-day run from April 19th to April 20th, 2023. Hosted by Nature Play SA at Rocky Creek Hut in Kuitpo Forest, the event was completely sold out with 3000 tickets sold. Despite the early morning showers, the weather turned out to be beautiful in the mid-20s with a gentle breeze, creating the perfect conditions for all the activities.

The festival was designed for children aged 0 to 12, with all stations supported by Nature Play SA staff, ensuring that everyone, young and old, was able to participate in the activities. A special shoutout was given to Uncle Tamaru for his Aboriginal activities and education, which helped to bring a better understanding of Aboriginal culture to everyone involved.

There were many activities available for children and families to enjoy, including nature mask and crown making, kite flying, dancing and dress-ups, nature potions and tinkering, bee hotel crafting, bush yoga, geocaching, exploring, wild cubby building, picnicking, and more.

The benefits of activities like this are numerous, including promoting physical activity, providing multi-sensory experiences, supporting overall well-being and mental health, raising awareness of Aboriginal culture, providing opportunities for children and families to connect with nature, encouraging a fun, safe, and friendly atmosphere, and guiding problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking.

The festival received fantastic feedback from both participants and staff, with everyone enjoying the two days. The success of the event is a testament to the importance of outdoor activities and connecting with nature for both physical and mental well-being. Everyone is looking forward to the next Nature Play Forest Festival.