Wildlings Forest School, Wishart

There is something magical about Wildlings Forest School. When we were greeted by bright blue butterflies, I knew we had found something very special. Wildlings is a place where nature and imagination come to life, and "child-led play" is encouraged. There are plenty of fun activities, whether it's playing in the creek with rocks, sticks, and shovels, or old pots and pans. On our first visit, my son gravitated toward a beautiful piece of treasure—a large silver spoon—and wouldn’t let it go the entire time; it was very cute! We’ve since incorporated similar treasures into our play at home.

The team brings along hand puppets and bush-themed books, setting up additional nature-inspired play stations, so there’s something for everyone. I truly believe being surrounded by nature allows all the kids to thrive in their own special way. The playdates run in sunshine or rain. The only downside is the noise pollution at the Wishart location due to its proximity to a highway, which slightly dampens the serenity, but not enough to keep it from being one of my favourite places to visit with my little one. While it's encouraged to book on a full-term basis, you can also be a bit more flexible and book on a casual basis. If only the playdates ran more frequently instead of just weekly! There are also excellent school holiday programs, and they also host birthday parties, I would strongly encourage you to give it a try! I’m sure you will be delighted by the experience—just make sure to bring spare clothes and a towel!