Cubby Town connects kids with nature

News article |

Nature Play festival at Whyalla with Natural Resources staff creating a cubby building exercise for children

Not a tablet or mobile phone was in sight as the children of Whyalla got back to nature.

Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula hosted a back-to-nature cubby building activity as part of this year’s Nature Play Festival at the recent Advancing Whyalla “Pride in the Park” event at Civic Park.

Parents attending the activity were able to give their children an insight into their own childhoods with this fun and educational outdoor event.

The Nature Play Festival is an annual event for children and their families that celebrates and encourages the community to play in nature. This year more than 100 nature play events were held by host organisations across the state.

Natural Resources Education and Volunteer Support Officer Barbara Murphy was thrilled with the success of Whyalla’s first Cubby Town.

“Connecting kids with nature and providing opportunities for outdoor learning are key initiatives of natural resources management education,” Ms Murphy said.

“Current research is telling us that too much screen time is not good for kids, whereas spending time outdoors in nature benefits children’s physical and psychological wellness and their ability to learn.

“Nature play not only engages all of the children’s senses, they learn to collaborate, socialise, gain self-confidence and build their resilience – qualities that will follow them into adulthood.

“Feedback from parents was really positive. One parent said that it was a great day out for their family because it didn’t cost anything and their kids were entertained all day. Another parent said that it was the best activity in the park and at the end of the day they had to drag their kids away. It has also inspired local educators to take the Cubby Town idea to their schools.”

Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula would like to thank Whyalla City Council, Advancing Whyalla, Friends of the Whyalla Conservation Park, Quality Sand and Landscape Supplies, Whyalla Men’s Shed and St Vinnies for their help sourcing natural and recycled cubby building materials for the event and for their support on the day.

For more information visit the Nature Play SA website https://natureplaysa.org.au/ or contact Natural Resources Education Officer Barbara Murphy on 0427 188 546 or email Barbara.Murphy2@sa.gov.au

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