Bush school: Connect children to nature

Want to get your kids off the screens – and out into nature? Join our Bush School program! 

Bush School at Centennial Park will get your kids moving, creating, and thinking in a stimulating outdoor environment every week, giving them a chance to explore, discover and learn at their own pace.

This unique nature play program tailored for children aged 2.5 – 5 years is led by our expert education rangers, who bring urban children and their parents back to nature in the heart of Centennial Park.

After just a few sessions, your child will have gained all the benefits of nature connection and nature play by developing their creativity, confidence, attention, and sense of responsibility in the great outdoors!

Discover the activities for July, August and September:

July - August sessions

• Week 1 – Tues 22 July & Fri 25 July: Discover the wonderful world of whales through whale migration, play and crafting!

• Week 2 – Tues 29 July & Fri 1 Aug: Imagine what it’s like to be a humpback whale with our whale obstacle course and the story of The Wattle, The Whale and the Barnacle.

• Week 3 – Tues 5 Aug & Fri 8 Aug: Get to know the magic of whale songs as we create our own bush orchestra and make instruments from natural materials.

• Week 4 – Tues 12 Aug & Fri 15 Aug: Our whale investigation continues with whale games, art, and poetry.

• Week 5 – Tues 19 Aug & Fri 22 Aug: Learn the importance of keeping our water ways clean with a park clean-up, a playful story of recycling and reusing, and crafting with recycled materials.

August - September sessions

• Week 1 – Tues 26 Aug & Fri 29 Aug: Discover plants in the park that can be used to make our own rope, create works of art using natural rope and other natural treasures.

• Week 2 – Tues 2 Sept & Fri 5 Sept: Learn the story of Mini the Microbat as we investigate the wild world of bats through exploration, play and craft.

• Week 3 – Tues 9 Sept & Fri 12 Sept: Look out for the Black Swans and their cygnets on the pond, learn their story and make your own black swan out of clay.

• Week 4 - Tues 16 Sept & Fri 19 Sept: Uncover the incredible life cycle story of the long-finned eels who make their home in Centennial Park through play, storytelling and bush craft.

• Week 5 – Tues 23 Sept & Fri 26 Sept: It’s bug searching time! Get up close with the tiny creatures who call the park home and make your own seed balls to take home.

*Weekly session themes subject to change pending weather and children's emerging interests. 

Bush School is available at $35 per session, and we now offer a 10% discount for booking a five-week pass ($157.50 instead of $175). Bush School runs on Tuesdays, and Fridays from February to December 2025.