School Holiday Nature Days

Small-group outdoor days for children to explore, move, imagine, and reconnect with the natural world.

These days offer something many children don’t get enough of anymore -
time outside, space to breathe, and the freedom to follow their curiosity.

There’s no packed timetable or constant entertainment.

Instead, children spend the day in natural spaces - collecting shells, building with sticks, climbing, creating games, making friends, and simply being kids.

Because time outside isn’t a treat.
It’s regulation.

Why Nature Days Matter

Unstructured time in nature helps children:

• Feel calmer and more settled
• Build confidence and independence
• Strengthen creativity and problem-solving
• Develop social skills through natural play
• Come home tired, happy, and regulated

When children have space to move, explore, and follow

What to Expect

Nature Days are small and calm, with a maximum of 15 children.

There’s no busy schedule or set activities.
Children are given space to explore, create, move and follow their own curiosity.

They might climb, build, imagine, rest, or spend time figuring out what to do next.

We don’t rush boredom here - because that’s often where the best learning and creativity begins.

The day is relaxed, supported and child-led.

Just time to slow down and be kids.

Upcoming locations include:

South Brighton Beach
Bottle Lake Forest / Fairy Trail
Christchurch Red Zone nature areas

Making Nature Days Accessible for Every Child

Because time outside shouldn’t be a luxury.

OSCAR Support (WINZ)

School holiday programmes like this fall under the OSCAR (Out of School Care and Recreation) scheme.

We are currently working towards WINZ OSCAR approval, so eligible families will be able to access financial assistance for School Holiday Nature Days.

Our goal is simple:
To remove financial barriers so more children can spend time outdoors, moving, exploring, and reconnecting with nature.

Pay It Forward - Gift a Nature Day

Some places in each Nature Day are set aside as Manaaki Spots - funded spaces for children who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attend.

Manaaki means caring for others, showing kindness, and helping people feel supported.

If you’d like to help, you can contribute towards a Manaaki Spot and give a child the gift of a day outdoors - space to explore, move, breathe, and simply be a kid.

Because time outside should be available to every child.

Your contribution helps a child: