Parent & Child Preschool Age Classes
Nature Explorers
For Ages 18 months-5 Years
Weekly Caregiver & Me Class | Runs Year-Round (May–May)
Nature Explorers is our most playful, active, and adventure-filled class at The Wild School — created for toddlers and preschoolers (18 months - 5 years) who are ready to explore wild spaces with a trusted grown-up by their side.
This is real outdoor learning — messy, joyful, movement-driven play in natural settings that honors your child’s need to climb, dig, build, balance, carry, and create.
Each week brings a new nature theme inspired by the seasons, and every class is built around open-ended invitations to explore — not forced structure. Kids learn best when they lead their own discoveries, and Nature Explorers gives them the space to do just that.
What Makes this class Special?
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Outdoor class designed specifically for toddlers & preschoolers
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Child-led play rooted in real outdoor spaces (not playgrounds)
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Weekly themes inspired by nature & the seasons
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Thoughtfully designed to support common toddler play schemas (transporting, dumping, stacking, climbing, filling, connecting, etc.)
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Strong caregiver connection + guidance to support exploration
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Rhythmic, familiar class structure that feels safe but flexible
What to Expect Each Class?
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Welcome & Gathering Song in a Circle
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Weekly Nature Theme Introduction (bugs, mud, water, animals, weather, colors, textures)
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Movement or Sensory Game
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Trail Adventure Walk or Exploration
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Open-Ended Nature Play Invitation (mud kitchen, fort building, digging, etc.)
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Optional Group Snack & Social Time
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Closing Story, Song, or Sharing Circle
Example Activities:
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Bug & insect hunts
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Rock collecting & building mini cairns
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Nature painting with leaves or sticks
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Building fairy houses or animal shelters from found materials
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Nature scavenger hunts
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Mud kitchen potion making
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Obstacle courses over logs, stumps, or hills
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Sensory bins with sand, leaves, or water
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Sorting & transporting nature loose parts
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Water play & puddle jumping in rainy weather
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Learning Objectives & Outcomes:
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Develop gross motor skills: climbing, balancing, running, digging
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Build early nature literacy: naming plants, animals, & natural materials
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Practice problem-solving & creativity through open-ended play
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Strengthen social-emotional skills: sharing, turn-taking, teamwork
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Cultivate comfort in nature: all weather, all terrains
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Grow independence within the safe presence of a caregiver
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Foster curiosity, joy, and wonder outdoors
Ready to Join Nature Explorers
Choose Your Class Location & Schedule Below
Frequently Asked Questions
We've compiled a list of the most common questions we receive to help make your experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Whether you're considering enrolling your child in one of our programs or are a current participant seeking more information, these FAQs are designed to provide you with quick answers to your inquiries.
If you have questions that aren't covered here, please feel free to reach out directly by emailing us at info@thewildschool.org.
1
What age is Nature Explorers designed for?
Nature Explorers is for confident walkers through age 5. We group children loosely by age within class and design activities that are multi-age friendly, but adaptable for younger or older explorers.
2
Can siblings attend together?
Yes! Siblings are welcome. Infants worn or in a stroller can attend for free. Walking siblings must be enrolled so we can maintain safe teacher-to-child ratios and provide appropriate activities.
3
What should we wear or bring?
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Clothes that can get dirty or wet
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Closed-toe shoes (boots or sneakers recommended)
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Water bottle & snack
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Change of clothes for after class
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Weather-appropriate layers (rain suits & boots encouraged!)
4
What if my child doesn’t want to participate in a group activity?
That’s totally okay — and completely expected! All activities are optional. Many children observe first before joining, or spend the entire class freely exploring. We trust that this is exactly how kids learn best.
5
What happens if it rains?
We play in the rain! Rainy day classes are often the BEST days at Wild School. The only time we cancel is for dangerous weather: lightning, flooding, high winds, or unsafe temps. Otherwise — boots on, let’s go!
6
Are bathrooms available at class locations?
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Most of our locations have bathrooms or portable toilets nearby. Some locations may have limited facilities, so we recommend pottying before class and bringing travel wipes or a travel potty if needed.
7
How involved do I need to be as a caregiver?
You are your child’s primary support in this class. We encourage caregivers to play alongside, model curiosity, assist when needed, and be a calming presence. Some days you’ll be in the mud kitchen with them — other days you might just be holding their snack while they adventure.
8
Can grandparents or nannies attend?
Absolutely! Any trusted caregiver is welcome, as long as they are comfortable outdoors and ready to support your child’s exploration.
9
How big are the class sizes?
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Classes are intentionally small — usually 8-12 families — so every child has space to move and explore safely while still feeling part of a group.
10
Will my child be ready for Wild Preschool after this class?
YES! Nature Explorers is the perfect stepping stone into our drop-off Wild Preschool program. Kids leave Nature Explorers feeling confident, comfortable outside, independent in their play, and socially prepared for more peer interaction in a drop-off setting.
11
What makes Wild School different from other outdoor programs?
Wild School is 100% outdoors — rain or shine. Our classes are built around rhythm, play, and place-based learning. We combine forest school philosophy, coyote mentoring techniques, and early childhood education expertise.
We don’t just “take the class outside.” Nature is the teacher.
Every class is grounded in seasonal change, child-led exploration, and real connection between caregivers, children, and the land.
12
What is a nature school?
Nature school (or forest school) is an educational approach that takes place entirely outdoors. Instead of traditional classrooms, children learn through direct interaction with nature — climbing logs, watching bugs, building forts, and playing with natural materials.
It’s child-led, play-based, and focuses on whole-child development: physical, emotional, social, and cognitive. Children build confidence, creativity, and a lifelong connection to the natural world.
13
What if my child has a hard time participating or staying with the group?
Totally normal! These classes are built with toddlers and young children in mind. Kids will have moments of focus and moments of distraction — we welcome it all.
There are always multiple activities and a flexible rhythm so your child can flow in and out of engagement in a way that feels natural for them.
14
What if I miss a class or need to reschedule?
We offer flexible make-up opportunities when space allows at other locations during the same session. If the class is canceled due to weather, we follow our seasonal makeup and credit policy (outlined clearly before enrollment).