Spring is here, and South Australia is ready to celebrate the great outdoors with the Nature Festival 2024, running from 28th of September to 13th of October. This year, over 400 events will be spread across the state, many of which are free, offering families the perfect way to enjoy the school holidays while reconnecting with nature.
In a time when climate change and environmental challenges are at the forefront, nurturing our connection to the natural world is more important than ever. For generations, Aboriginal cultures have understood the deep significance of this bond, and modern science now confirms the profound benefits nature has for our wellbeing.
Our favourite family friend events for Nature Festival 2024:
Intergenerational Nature Play
“Less can be more in nature.” Simple objects provide beauty and curiosity to both young and older people.
Find the awe in natural found objects in our gardens. Display these creatively, Ikebana-style, to take home and share with others and discover there are no ordinary moments.
Participants will also make a bee on a stick from natural materials, providing movement and color in the garden. An opportunity to share knowledge about native bees and their habitat.
Connect with nature and each other, and share stories about the awe in nature. In a garden there’s always something going on. Powers of nature are magical, and creativity is seen in the growth of plants. The garden perpetuates itself with its seeds and flowers constantly repeating the cycle nature and is non-judgemental and all forgiving – a safe space to explore, share and just be.
Thursday, 3rd of October, 10:30am, 12:30pm & 2:30pm
Carrick Hill, Springfield
Spring Light: Lantern making workshops
The Spring Light lantern workshop aims to inspire a sense of awe at the wonder of light in nature. Spring brings with it rejuvenation, growth, a sense of renewal, and the wonder of light as we move out of the darkness of Winter. The arrival of Spring is celebrated by cultures all around the world. In this workshop children will make a decorated lantern, as they learn about the diverse array of cultural celebrations of light and Spring. The workshop focuses on the experience of light in nature and the many ways light has been, and continues to be, celebrated by different cultures around the world.
Young artists will create their lanterns with a combination of natural materials such as sticks and dried leaves, and recycled items. At the end of the workshop each participant will take home a decorative, functional lantern that displays their unique artistic vision.
Saturday, 5th of October; 1pm – 2:30pm & Thursday, 10th of October at 11am – 12:30pm
Barossa Bushgardens Nature Play Festival
Join us for our popular and free Nature Play Festival at the Barossa Bushgardens. Connecting children with nature through play.
Suitable for children 0 to 10 years of age, we provide a wide range of activities including:
- nature-based craft activities
- games
- mobile junk and nature playground
- muddy puddle
- mud kitchen
- story nook
- climbing logs
- sensory path
- miniature maze
- nature trail
- face painting and more…
Bring a picnic and blanket. A coffee van will be available to keep the parents happy.
Thursday, 3rd of October, 10am – 2pm
Nature by Night at Willunga
Join Green Adelaide for a fun, guided night walk to discover the bats, frogs and other awesome creatures that come out after dark.
Don’t forget to bring a torch. No pets allowed as they frighten away the critters!
This is a family event, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Bookings essential.
Tuesday, 1st of October, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Willunga Railway Station, Willunga
Family wonder in the forest
Have you ever wondered what is really in the forest? This family event by Play Naturally OT is delivered by an occupational therapist and welcomes children and adults of all ages. Join them for a playful and relaxed adventure in this hidden gem – Blackwood Forest!
You will be guided through sensory nature connection activities to help you connect with nature and each other, to calm your busy minds and have some fun! You will meet trees, notice the wonder of the forest and find treasures you may have never noticed before! It is an opportunity to engage your senses – including listening, touching, smelling, tasting and seeing as we allow ourselves to just ‘be’ in nature.
All children need to attend with an adult who will need to be responsible for their supervision and safety in nature – this is not a child-only event. This event is open to children and families of all abilities.
Tuesday, 1st of October, 10am – 11:30am & Saturday, 12th of October, 10am – 11:30am
Blackwood Forest Recreation Park, Hawthorndene
Nature Based Wellbeing: Flower Crowns Children’s Workshop
Crafting floral crowns is a perfect activity for either rainy or hot days and is enjoyable for children to identify plants, and to observe and celebrate each of the different seasons.
Children will take away their own handcrafted floral crown which can be later dried as a keepsake, or composted.
Floral material will be supplied from the Botanic Gardens.
Saturday, 12th of October, 10am – 12pm
Wittunga Botanic Garden, Blackwood
Feathers & Wings, Patterns & Colours: Bird Drawing Workshop For Kids
This creative drawing workshop will introduce children (4-10 years old) to the local birdlife of Wittunga Botanic Garden, encouraging imaginative engagement with the natural world.
Participants will be guided through basic drawing techniques and provided with creative prompts to make their own imaginative bird drawing inspired by observing the beautiful patterns and colours of the local feathered birdlife.
Sunday, 29th of September, 10am – 12pm
Wittunga Botanic Garden, Blackwood
For more family friendly events:
