Play Wild toddler club
PlayWild is a welcoming and friendly group for children, under the age of five, and their adventurous grown-ups to share some healthy outdoorsy (sometimes muddy!) fun within the glorious grounds of Wildwood Devon.
What we do
We gather in the PlayWild garden one morning per week before getting stuck into a session packed with free play and exploration, cooking, crafts, games, music and stories.
Led by Donna, our Outdoor Education Instructor, children are encouraged to engage with the natural world around them and are given the opportunity to learn some practical life skills along the way.
Whilst the emphasis is on sharing these unique experiences with your little ones there is often time for grown ups to grab a cuppa and enjoy a chat with some like-minded parents, grandparents, or carers.
More than just play!
Nature-based play supports children’s development in every area.
Outdoor experiences spark curiosity and creative thinking, encouraging children to observe, question, and explore the world around them, while active play builds strength, balance, coordination, and overall wellbeing.
Sessions nurture social and emotional skills too, helping children learn teamwork, communication, confidence, and independence, while providing a relaxed space for families to connect.
Through open-ended art and hands-on activities, children are free to express themselves and value the creative process, all while developing a lasting appreciation for nature and the importance of caring for the environment.
Tuesdays and Thursdays
Sessions run as a term, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The group is aimed at children 1-5 years old, however if you feel your child would benefit in attending before they reach the age of one please do come along. Babies are welcome but the rough natural terrain necessitates off road sturdy pushchairs or slings/carriers.
Please note that children remain the responsibility of their accompanying adult/s throughout the sessions and to ensure the safety of all children we advise a ratio of one adult to three children.
About our teacher
Donna has been leading Play Wild for almost two and a half years, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for supporting children’s learning and development. A parent of two herself, she is actively involved in her children’s school community, helping with reading support and PTA events.
She holds a teaching degree with a specialism in Early Childhood Studies and spent ten years as a primary school teacher, mainly working with younger children. Her experience also includes supply teaching, working as a youth support worker, and leading toddler and baby singing and story sessions in a library setting. Donna has also worked as a class teacher in the autism base of a special school. She is currently refreshing her knowledge and expanding her skills through a Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism.
When she’s not leading Play Wild sessions, Donna can often be found preparing activities, caring for the Play Wild garden, or even chatting to the peacocks that wander through. She also works alongside the wider Education team, which might see her dressing as a Saxon to bring history to life, baking bread in the cob oven, guiding children through the maze, helping them navigate the swamp, or teaching den-building skills in the woods.
Donna loves leading Play Wild sessions and values the freedom to plan engaging, hands-on experiences that nurture children’s growth and inspire a lasting love of nature, wildlife, and the outdoors. She feels lucky to work with such a supportive team, and of course, the amazing animals too.
Find us on FACEBOOK
For more information please please email escoteducation@wildwoodtrust.org or phone 01404 822188 or 07305 882077.
