October is a wonderful time for Perth families to get outdoors and enjoy the warmer spring weather. From wildflowers and bushland to wetlands, parks and nature play spaces, there are plenty of simple ways for children to explore nature, move their bodies and build confidence.
Nature outings do not need to be long or complicated. A short walk, a visit to a local park or time spent exploring the natural environment can provide valuable opportunities for children to develop physical skills, curiosity, independence and connection with the world around them.
Why nature outings are great for children
Spending time outdoors gives children opportunities to move, explore and learn through their surroundings. Nature can provide a different type of play environment to the structured activities children experience during the week.
Walking, climbing, balancing, running and exploring can support physical development, while open ended play can encourage problem solving, creativity and independence.
For some children, being outdoors can also provide a chance to slow down and take a break from busy environments and routines.
Explore Kings Park
Kings Park is a great option for a family day outdoors, particularly during spring when wildflowers are on display.
Families can explore the walking trails, gardens and natural areas while children look for different flowers, plants, birds and insects.
Try giving your child a simple nature challenge. Can they find something yellow? Can they spot three different types of leaves? What sounds can they hear?
Try nature play at Naturescape
Naturescape Kings Park gives children the opportunity to explore, climb, balance, build and use their imagination in a natural environment.
Rather than having one set way to play, children can choose how they interact with the space. This type of open ended play can encourage creativity, confidence and problem solving.
Let your child take the lead and see where their imagination takes them.
Go for a bushwalk at Bold Park
Bold Park is a great place for families to experience Perth bushland without travelling too far from the city.
Choose a walking trail that suits your family and take your time. You do not need to focus on how quickly you can complete the walk.
Stop along the way to look at interesting plants, listen for birds, notice different textures or investigate something that catches your child’s attention.
Visit Herdsman Lake
Herdsman Lake offers families the chance to explore a wetland environment and discover local plants and wildlife.
Turn the outing into an observation game by asking children what they can see, hear and smell.
How many birds can you spot? Can you hear different bird calls? What is moving in the water?
These simple questions can encourage children to slow down and become curious about their surroundings.
Explore John Forrest National Park
For families looking for a bigger outdoor adventure, John Forrest National Park provides opportunities to explore Perth’s natural environment through bushwalking and outdoor exploration.
Choose a trail that matches your child’s age, abilities and energy levels. Remember that a successful outing does not have to mean completing the entire trail.
Taking breaks, stopping to explore and enjoying the environment are all part of the experience.
Create a family nature hunt
You do not need to visit a major attraction to enjoy nature.
A local park or walking trail can become an adventure with a simple nature hunt.
Ask children to find:
- A yellow flower
- Something smooth
- Something rough
- A bird
- An interesting leaf
- Something that makes a sound
- Something they have never noticed before
This can turn an ordinary walk into an opportunity for observation, movement and discovery.
Start a nature journal
Take a notebook with you and encourage children to record what they notice during your outing.
They could draw a flower, sketch a bird, describe the weather, write about an insect or simply draw their favourite part of the day.
A nature journal does not need to be perfect. The goal is to encourage children to observe, think and express what they have experienced.
Look for spring wildlife
October is a great time to get curious about the wildlife around Perth.
Take some time to watch birds, listen for different sounds and look carefully for insects, lizards and other creatures.
Encourage children to observe wildlife from a safe distance and leave animals, plants and natural objects where they belong.
Let your child take the lead
One of the best things about a nature outing is that it does not have to follow a strict plan.
Children may want to stop and investigate a stick, climb over a log, watch an insect or spend ten minutes looking at something adults might walk straight past.
Giving children time and space to explore at their own pace can support curiosity, confidence, problem solving, movement and independence.
The goal does not have to be completing a particular trail or seeing everything. Sometimes the most valuable part of a nature outing is simply having the opportunity to explore.
Making nature part of family life
You do not need to plan a big adventure every weekend. A short walk after school, an afternoon at the park or a family visit to a local bush trail can provide valuable opportunities for children to connect with nature.
This October, why not choose a natural space in Perth, leave some time in your schedule and let your child take the lead?
Sometimes the simplest outdoor adventures create the best opportunities for children to explore, move, learn and grow.