Callan Park Bush School Thursdays 2026 (2.5 - 5 year-olds)

Each week at Bush School, we follow the rhythms of the season – discovering what’s happening along the harbour right now!

Term 4: Thursdays 15 Oct-17 Dec 2026

We’ll get to know some of the fascinating birds that call the park home - from ibis exploring the waterways and cheeky channel-billed cuckoos looking for a place to nest, to laughing kookaburras and their family lives. We’ll take a special dipnetting adventure to discover the tiny creatures living beneath the surface of the pond, follow the amazing journey of a seed, search for nature’s colours, make paints and dyes from plants and mud, create tree spirits from clay and turn bush treasures into festive decorations. Along the way, there’ll be plenty of time to play, create, explore, get muddy and follow whatever sparks children’s curiosity.

Our sessions are guided by weather, local wildlife, and children’s curiosity, allowing us to respond to what we find and what captures their imagination each day.

More about Bush School

Bush School is a roaming nature play program for 2.5 - 5 year olds and their carers, set in the picturesque, harbourside bushland of Callan Park. It’s about climbing, collecting, splashing, balancing, building, and wandering, without rushing to the next thing. 

Each session is child-led and open-ended. There are cubbies to build, rocks to hop, bugs to watch and plenty of dirt to dig. Kids set the pace. Educators support the play. Adults stay and get involved, learning alongside their child through nature connection and hands-on activities. 

What to expect: 

• Nature-based free play and sensory discovery 

• Mud, sticks, leaves and imagination 

• Bushcraft and storytelling

• Carer-child connection through shared outdoor experience 

• Practical take-home ideas for nature play 

This is a stay-and-play program, carers are part of the learning journey too. 

Age: Children 2.5 - 5 years 

Meeting point: Our Bush School site is located on the grass beside the Summerhouse, in Callan Park

Google map pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jLx54toFA5mWko6K7

Things to know before you attend 

Bush School is an outdoor program and will take place in all-weather except for high winds and thunderstorms. Participants (adults and children) are expected to dress for the outdoors, including bringing wet weather gear, a hat, sturdy enclosed shoes and waterproof footwear when required.

We reserve the right to cancel the event in case of dangerous weather or if minimum participation numbers are not met. In these circumstances a refund will be offered. Please refer to our full terms and conditions for more information. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email education@gsp.nsw.gov.au or give us a call on 02 9339 6645 for assistance.

What to bring to the event 

Ensure your child comes prepared for this session by:

• Bringing a refillable drink bottle and a small snack for morning tea

• Dressing for the weather, e.g. sun protection (hat, sunscreen, cool clothing) and wet weather gear (raincoat, shoes and change of clothes)

Your responsibilities if you feel unwell 

I understand that it is my responsibility to ensure that all attendees associated with this booking do not attend if: 

• We/I show any COVID-19, infectious disease or virus symptoms or feel unwell 

• We/I have had a fever, diarrhoea or vomiting within 12 hours or at the time of the program 

• We/I have been asked to self-isolate 

• We/I have had a positive COVID-19 test result and continue to have symptoms. 

If any of the above apply to you or any attendee associated with this booking, we request that you do not attend this program. In this instance, please contact us via email on education@gsp.nsw.gov.au to arrange for a refund of your ticket.