A parent messaged me last week, anxious because her 5-year-old still can't write his name. Another mum at kinder keeps mentioning how her daughter already knows the alphabet and can count to 100. Should she be doing more learning activities at home? Is he behind?
Read MoreAs we move from the chaos of Christmas into January, the summer break's demands can feel bigger than ever: overstimulated kids, sugar crashes, screen addiction, and the general buzz of too much, too fast, too loud.
For kids, the weeks leading up to Christmas are filled with excitement, late nights, disrupted routines, and constant stimulation. By Boxing Day, they're often wound up, melting down over small things, and struggling to regulate their emotions.
But here's the good news: unstructured play in nature is one of the most effective ways for kids to reset, release tension, and return to themselves after the Christmas chaos.
Read MoreLook, I'm going to tell you something that might sound weird coming from someone who works at a kids' program: I love it when the rafts sink.
Read MoreI'll admit, when I handed her the knife—I held my breath and tried my best to suppress visions of the emergency room.
Read MoreA sit spot is exactly what it sounds like: a place in nature where you simply... sit.
No agenda. No checklist. Just you (or your child) and the natural world.
It's a mindful way to press pause, check in with yourself, and be fully present in the moment - letting go of life's stressors as you settle into the rhythm of nature around you.
And trust me, kids need this right now.
Read MoreIn just four days, on September 23rd, we'll experience the Spring Equinox. The exact moment when our hemisphere tips from winter's grip toward summer's embrace.
It's a moment worth celebrating, especially with children.
Want to celebrate with an activity that's part science experiment, part secret mission? Let's make seed bombs—little balls of potential ready to explode into wildflowers wherever they land.
Read MoreSticky, gooey, oozy, slimy, glorious mud! It’s a quintessential childhood ingredient, one that parents either avoid or tolerate. At Wildlings, we embrace it. Or rather, the children do!
When rain transforms our dirt paths into pits, bogs, slides, and kitchens, the magic of mud play begins. The sheer joy on children’s faces is hard to capture in words, but the benefits of mud are easier to share.
And yes, we know what you’re thinking: what about the mess? Don’t worry, we’ve got hot tips for parents too.
Read MoreIf you’re looking for a campfire activity that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, these Chocolate Orange Campfire Cakes tick all the boxes. Not only are they delicious, but they’re also a fantastic way for children to practise fine motor skills, learn basic cooking techniques, and understand fire safety.
Read MoreYes, I know! This isn’t our usual kind of content but we’re rolling with it because we’re (slowly) putting together some kind of campfire cookbook-thingy-ma-jiggy. Doing this once a week keeps me on track, and hey, it’s tasty!
Read MoreWhether you're cooking with kids, hosting a family bushwalk, or just hanging out by the firepit at home, grilled halloumi is one of those treats that feels just a little bit special without any fuss.
Read MoreAs the cool winter nights begin to stretch out into longer daylight, we know those backyard fire pits are calling. There’s something so grounding about gathering around a fire to cook. Something ancient. Something slow.
Read MoreThere’s something special about winter in the forest. Cool mornings, warm fires, and the kind of unhurried play that makes memories for life. These July school holidays were no exception; your Wildlings embraced every moment with open hearts, dirty hands, and endless imagination.
Read MoreIf the words ‘fire’, ‘child’ and ‘play’ in the same sentence make you nervous, then this one’s for you.
Read MoreTomorrow, Saturday June 21st, is the Winter Solstice, when the Earth tilts furthest from the sun, giving us the shortest day and longest night of the year. It might pass quietly for some, but for thousands of years, people across the world have seen this as a powerful moment to slow down, gather together, and celebrate the return of light.
Read MoreEvery time we visited a playground, she’d climb the wrong way up the slide. If I signed her up for a class or workshop, she’d wander off to the opposite side of the building, chasing something entirely different—and far more interesting (to her, anyway). For a while, I genuinely thought it was just us. Maybe we weren’t like other families whose kids sat still, followed instructions, and just... fit in.
When we found Wildlings, everything changed.
Read MoreAfter years spent in school and the workforce, it’s easy to start measuring everything by outcomes—even the way we play with our children. I found myself scrolling for craft ideas or activities, thinking, This is how it’s supposed to be done. But over time, I realised there is no “correct” way to play. The most profound shift in my parenting came when I let go of the need to lead, and instead began offering something called play invitations.
Read MoreWhen I moved to a new town with a five-year-old, I thought I was signing up for outdoor fun and mud play—just something for my daughter to enjoy. What I found instead was a community that changed the way I parent and a place where both of us could grow.
Living in such a beautiful place means that during the school holidays, things can get pretty busy. That’s why now is the time for families to get out and enjoy all that South East Queensland has to offer—before the crowds arrive and the rush takes over.
Read MoreHop in the car, wear something comfy, and take a short, scenic drive. No long hiking trails, no complicated plans—just a quick getaway without any pressure.
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