Give your child the gift of freedom, discovery, and adventure this school holidays!

At Wildlings Forest School’s Sunshine Coast Holiday Program, children ages 4-12 can dive headfirst into nature, sparking their curiosity and building lifelong memories through independent, nature-led play.

Wildlings Forest School is a unique nature adventure play program, specifically designed to let children explore the natural world under the guidance of experienced Play Workers and Mentors. It’s a place where kids are free to be kids — to imagine, build, explore, and create on their own terms.

Please note: this is a drop-off program for children aged 7+. Children under 7 years require an active guardian to accompany their workshop at no additional cost.

Wildlings Forest School | Sunshine Coast Holiday Programs

Our program is designed to support your child’s natural interests and give them the skills they need to explore the world confidently. Through hands-on activities like cubby building, primitive weapon making, raft building, nature exploration, mudslides, games, and even bush cooking, your child will develop resilience, creativity, and teamwork.

Our philosophy is simple: we say ‘YES’ to kids! 

A Day in the Life at Wildlings Forest School

During the school holidays, our sessions are built around a loose theme that ignites children’s imaginations and inspires creative play. These open-ended adventures give kids the freedom to explore, create, and connect with nature and like-minded peers, all while celebrating the joy and wonder of childhood.

SESSION THEMES INCLUDE

  • Venture into the forest and create your own CUBBY TOWN! Children will use hand tools like saws and mallets, along with materials such as ropes, tarps, and natural elements like sticks and branches, to build teepees, tree dens, and secret hideouts in a fun and supervised environment

  • Ready to master the art of whittling? In this hands-on workshop, kids will learn safe pen knife techniques to craft their own wooden tools and primitive play weapons—perfect for unleashing their creativity in nature!

  • Will your creation sink or float? Join us during the warmer months for a fun-filled adventure as kids design and build their own boats and rafts to test on the creek, with plenty of splashes, laughter, and outdoor fun!

  • Master the art of whittling and create your own bow and arrows from local plants like Chinese Elm and Ochna! In this hands-on workshop, kids will craft, decorate, and test their bows in a forest "shooting range," channeling their inner Robin Hood or Wolf Girl.


  • This is knot your ordinary play session! Kids will learn essential knot skills to build teepees, shelters, and tree dens, using tarps, ropes, mallets, and handsaws for a fully supervised day of creativity and adventure.


  • Let’s explore nature’s canvas! In this eco arts session, children will engage in child-led crafting with natural fibers, creating items like God's eyes, nature crowns, and macrame-style necklaces, all while fostering creativity, mindfulness, and a deeper connection to the natural world.


  • Designed to bring the game to life, this off-grid session offers screen-free exploration, teamwork, and creative problem-solving in a safe, natural setting.


  • Escape the muggle world with a magical forest workshop, where young witches and wizards can craft wands, brew potions, and create enchanted items like quills, fairy crowns, and amulets from creek stones.


  • During the colder winter months to learn the art of fire striking with flint and steel, safely managing and extinguishing fires, and cooking over the flames for a true wilderness experience in the cooler seasons.


Wildlings Forest School is about more than just fun; it’s about reclaiming childhood, reconnecting kids with nature, and empowering them to grow through meaningful experiences. 

Bring friends, spread the word, and let’s create memories they’ll treasure for a lifetime.

Here’s What Families Have To Say About Our Sessions

As seen on 7News Queensland, Australia

What To Pack For Your Session

  • Food & Water for the day

  • Hat

  • Long pants (compulsory)

  • Closed in shoes (compulsory)

  • Sleeved shirt (no singlets)

  • Togs and towel

  • A spare change of clothes

  • A spare set of shoes (old joggers are great!)

  • Wet bag to put wet clothes in

  • Sunscreen

  • Bug Repellent

  • Rain Gear (if wet weather is expected)

Safety & Locations

Your child’s safety is our top priority. All staff have current Working with Children Checks, and every session has at least two First Aid-trained staff, including water rescue-certified mentors when near water. We operate at multiple beautiful locations, details of which are provided upon booking. Our main forest school site is located behind the Sunshine Coast PCYC on Youth Avenue in Burnside and for any beach sessions we meet at La Balsa Park, Point Cartwright.

 
 

FAQs

How much does a session cost?

Our session rates are as follows:

  • Half-day (3-hour) sessions: $55 per child
  • Full-day (7-hour) sessions: $120 per child

What exactly do children do at Forest School?

Forest School provides children the time, space and tools to develop hands-on learning experiences in a completely natural setting. It’s a long term program that supports the holistic development of children through play, exploration and supported “risk taking” - such as using hand tools and climbing trees. The learning environment is completely guided by children and observed by the Forest School Leader.

Do parents attend?

If your child is seven (7) years old or older you are welcome to drop them off for their School Holiday Program.

Children under seven (7) will require the active supervision of a parent or guardian

My child is almost seven (7) can I please drop them off to their school holiday program?

If they are attending with an older sibling OR if they attend Forest School regularly through the term, then you are welcome to drop them off. All that matters is that your child feels safe and secure in a familiar, wild environment.

What age do your programs suit best?

We are an ALL AGES program because intergenerational and peer-led play is so important for children - it’s how they figure out their place in the world. All children play and learn at a different pace and forest school means that children can explore things at their own speed and in their own time. It really is 'one size fits all' however, your level of involvement, as a guardian, may be higher with younger children.

What if my child is sick?

It happens! Just let us know 24hrs before your session if you need to self isolate due to sickness. We can organise a credit for your session.

What is the equity discount?

We want to acknowledge that not all members of society are afforded the same opportunities. In an effort to create greater equity we wish to extend a reduced program rate to individual children who are from marginalised or single parent families. In doing this we hope to promote equal opportunity and inclusion for all children who would benefit from play based education. Please make use of these checkout codes if you wish to access this program: BIPOC or LGTBQIA+.

What happens if it's raining?

A bit of rain is nothing to be worried about - it’s just a part of nature’s process. Most importantly children LOVE wet weather! It provides wonderful learning experiences but also opportunities for PUDDLE JUMPIN’ and MUDSLIDES! Just make sure you (the carer) are also dressed appropriately (such as: waterproof jackets, pants and gumboots) so you’re comfortable.

What happens if there's storms, flooding or high winds?

If the weather is deemed unsafe WE will contact YOU via email a MINIMUM of 2 hours before your session and you will be offered a credit. We’re REALLY good at reading the weather radar - trust us we work in a Forest!

My child has additional needs (such as ASD, ADHD, ODD) will your sessions be suitable?

The beauty and brilliance of Forest School is that it is completely child-led. Other than our initial safety briefing and “tool rules”, children require very little direction or instruction from Forest School Leaders. The learning environment that we create is guided by the child’s natural rhythm rather than rigid structure. Trust us, ALL children thrive in this kind of learning environment.

We can also work closely with your child and their carer (if they have one) at their first session to work out what feels comfortable and safe. We ask that you list any strategies and additional notes into their Medical Needs when booking. We also suggest arriving early to discuss strategies and needs with the Session Facilitator/Forest School Leader.

Can I use NDIS funding for your Programs?

Yes, many families who attend self manage claim NDIS funding through the following categories:

CORE

  • Social Community and Civic Participation, assistance with daily life
  • Support workers

CAPACITY BUILDING

  • Increased Social and Community Participation, development of daily living and life skills

Can you run a private session for our group?

Yes, please get in touch with us to discuss dates, session types and prices.

Got A Question? We’d love to hear from you!