“But There’s a Playground…”
What to do when your Bush Kindy site includes a big, shiny playground
I'm sure we all have an image of what an off-site Bush Kindy site 'should' look like in our heads. Lots of trees, some wild spaces, not very manicured - no playground... But that's not the reality for most of us and it's also not how the Bush Kindy philosophy works.
So, let's break down that word 'should' and then we'll give you some tips and tricks for working with your Bush Kindy space when you have a playground in it.
'It's not pretty'
Instagram has a lot to answer for, and let's be honest, our own Instagram is part of that problem. We have some STUNNING, WILD Bush Kindy sites at Wildlings Forest School. But that's because we have the benefit of having families come to us and stay with us in our Bush Kindy programs, so they are happy to drive wherever we ask them to - but this isn't the case in the Early Years sector. At Little Wildlings, our own Long Day Care Service, in Capalaba, QLD, our Tree Kindy site is far from wild. It's fenced, flat and very manicured - and we love it! You can just see in the image beyond the fence, that we also have another excursion site within walking distance with a playground on it. Do we use it? Yes! Is it still Bush Kindy to us? Yes!
Bush Kindy is a philosophy that can be utilised indoors, outdoors and out the gate. You do not have to leave your service to be 'doing' Bush Kindy. It's all about helping children connect with nature and getting them outdoors, regularly, in all (safe) weather where children will naturally incorporate risky play into their day. You can do this anywhere!
But yes, playgrounds can be very attractive to children and can thwart your 'scheduled' Bush Kindy plans (but that's a whole different blog...). So here's some tips and tricks to help navigate off-site Bush Kindy spaces with playgrounds.
1. Set the Intention
👉 Before you even leave: set the tone.
“This isn’t a park visit. Today, we’re going exploring.”
Help children know they’re not missing out—they’re gaining something different.
2. Reframe the Experience
🌱 “We’re here to find bugs, climb over logs, and build our own adventures.”
Bush Kindy is about discovery, not destination.
Use language that invites curiosity, not restriction.
3. Redirect With Purpose
🧭 “I can see you’re drawn to the playground. It makes sense—it looks fun!”
🪵 “Let’s see what’s hiding under that log instead.”
Acknowledge the desire and redirect with wonder.
4. Make the Wild More Compelling
💡 Loose parts, ropes, stories, scavenger hunts
Offer open-ended tools and challenges that make nature the star of the show.
5. Hold the Boundary Gently
🚧 “The playground isn’t part of our Bush Kindy space today.”
If needed: explain that the playground is for another time—with families.
Stay consistent, kind, and calm.
6. Reflect and Reinforce
🌀 “What did you find today that a playground couldn’t give you?”
At the end of the session, debrief, this builds meaning—and motivation for next time.
7. Trust the Pull of Nature
🌿"What's new to discover at Bush Kindy today?"
The playground will always be there and children will eventually tire of it. The more you make it out of bounds, the more appealing it may become.
On the other hand, the wild won’t wait, seasonal indicators change all the time. Help children discover them!
8. You’re not the Playground Police
🧭 "We'll start at the playground, today you have 10 minutes to play before we move over to basecamp."
You’re a guide to wild wonder, and sometimes the lure of the playground is real. Is there any reason children can't use the playground? Sometimes there is (risk assessment wise), but other times, it's our own expectations about what we want children to do. Don't forget that a large part of the Bush Kindy philosophy is children's autonomy. If children want to use the playground, it's OK to let them.
We hope that gives you some ideas to reflect on if you have a playground in your Bush Kindy space. We'd love to hear how you've navigated this issue over on our Bush Kindy Educators Facebook Community if you'd like to join the conversation!
We look forward to playing outdoors with you soon!
Yours in adventure and safety,
