DISCOVER, PLAY, AND GROW
AT NATURE'S KINDRED

We believe childhood is meant to be filled with wonder, exploration, and the freedom to play. Our forest and nature school is designed to nurture curiosity, resilience, and a deep connection to the natural world.

A
CHILDHOOD IN THE
WILD

Nestled on the edge of Larose Forest, our program invites children into a beautiful woodland environment where they can climb, dig, create, and discover—learning through hands-on experiences that foster confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of nature.

What we offer

Outdoor, Play-Based Learning
Child-Led Exploration
Safe & Supportive Environment
Nature Connection
Community & Friendship

LEARNING

THROUGH PLAY

ENCHANTING TRAILS

UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS

Explore More

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

Join us at Nature's Kindred for an enriching experience that caters to every child's unique spirit and sense of adventure. Our programs are designed to foster a deep appreciation for the natural world and create lasting memories.

WAYFINDERS
Ended
View Course

I could chat for hours about why it's so important for children to get outside, but I'll start with this...

🌱 It boosts immunity-
Increased vitamin D, microbial exposure in the soil, lowering stress hormones, and increased physical activity all contribute to a stronger immune system

🌿 It builds resilience and confidence-
Climbing trees, navigating trails, balancing on logs, and getting muddy teaches them to trust their bodies, face fears, adapt to challenges, and feel proud of what they can do

🌳 It fosters a sense of belonging and connection-
Time outside helps kids appreciate nature’s cycles and build empathy for living things, deepening their feeling of belonging within the natural world.

Around here, we like to encourage touching grass, getting muddy, climbing, splashing, and exploring.
Childhood is meant to be wondrous, beautiful, wild, and free.

#letkidsbekids #naturekids #childhoodunplugged #slowparenting #outdoorchildhood #forestschool #90schildhood #childledlearning #natureschool #getoutside #1000hoursoutside #outdoorparenting

✨ It's official - Nature's Kindred is now accepting registrations!

Join us for 8 weekends of exploration, community, and PLAY! - Saturdays from 9am to 3pm

At Nature's Kindred, our program is designed to:

🌱 Encourage curiosity, self-expression, and meaningful connection
🦊 Encourage risky play to build confidence, resilience, and independence
🐾 Slow things down and embrace the joy of unstructured play
☀️ Soak in the holistic benefits of time spent outdoors

Spots are limited - head to the link in bio to learn more and reserve your child's place!

Have questions? I'd love to hear from you! DM me or send an email to natureskindred.info@gmail.com

#ForestSchool #NatureSchool #ChildLedLearning #OutdoorLearning #NaturePlay #GetOutside #NatureKids #WildChild #LearnThroughPlay #ClarenceRockland #Ottawa

There really is no app that compares to time spent in nature.

Bottom line...
Screens stimulate. Nature regulates. 🌿

Screen Time:
📱 Floods the brain with dopamine
📱 Trains attention spans to expect constant stimulation
📱 Can increase stress, irritability, and emotional dysregulation
📱 Keeps the nervous system in a heightened state of alert
📱 Delivers information fast - but often without deep engagement or retention

Time in Nature:
🌱 Encourages slower, sustained attention (linked to improved focus and learning)
🌱 Supports co-regulation and lowers cortisol
🌱 Strengthens sensory integration, motor coordination, and creative problem solving
🌱 Helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest mode)
🌱 Promotes hands-on, embodied learning that sticks

Still, modern life includes screens - and they're not inherently bad.
They're great tools, and can support connection and creativity. But overuse, especially in childhood, can overstimulate developing brains and leave little room for the kind of rich, grounding input nature provides.

Time outdoors isn't just refreshing - it's regulating, restorative, and essential to healthy development.

#forestschool #childledlearning #natureschool #wildchild #getoutside #naturebasedlearning #screenfreeplay #screenfree #unpluggedchildhood

We are so excited to be attending the Busy Moms Expo on June 7th in Manotick!

📍Sacred Union: Manotick's Wedding + Events Venue (5792 Rideau Valley Drive)
🗓️ Saturday, June 7 || 9 AM to 3 PM
🏷️ Free admission

Thank you to @birthbabiesbusymoms and @sacredunionvenue for hosting such a beautiful event, designed to provide fun, resources, and connection for our community ♥️

There's lots of fun for the whole family - face painting, book reading, prizes, food, amazing classes... And I hear Elsa will be making an appearance 👀

Head to the link in our bio to see what classes are offered and register to reserve your free spot!

We can't wait to meet you, share more about what we do at Nature's Kindred, and deepen our connection with this beautiful community ✨

#OttawaEvents #OttawaMoms #Ottawa #Manotick #ManotickVillage #ForestSchool #NatureSchool #ChildLedLearning #OttawaBusiness #CommunityFirst #OttawaActivities #ThingsToDoInOttawa

Before the age of 10, kids don’t need more structure—they need more time to play.

📚 Research shows that unstructured, child-led play is one of the most powerful tools for healthy development.

Here’s what free play actually does:

🧠 Supports brain development—problem-solving, creativity, focus, and executive function
💪 Builds physical strength, balance, and coordination
🧘‍♀️ Teaches emotional regulation and builds stress resilience
🗣️ Strengthens social skills like cooperation, empathy, and negotiation
🎨 Sparks imagination, storytelling, and innovation
❤️ And maybe most importantly—it restores joy and protects mental health

When children are given time and space to follow their curiosity, make up their own games, take risks, and even get bored, they grow in ways no curriculum can match.

Childhood is not to be rushed. Let them climb trees, dig holes, make potions, get dirty, and play with sticks.
It’s not “just play.” It’s everything.

#ForestSchool #PlayIsLearning #KidsNeedNature #UnstructuredPlay #SlowChildhood #NatureSchool #ChildLedLearning #wildchild #playbasedlearning #outdoorlearning #clarencerockland #ottawa

The earth beneath their feet, the wind on their skin, the crunch of leaves, the texture of bark—these are the sensory experiences their nervous systems crave.

Let’s not forget that the richest sensory environment has always been right outside our door.

#forestschool #childledlearning #natureschool #getoutside #sensoryplay #sensory #LearningThroughPlay #childhoodunplugged

(And also, by the way, in our own)
- Quote by Richard Louv

We genuinely believe that letting children spend time in nature isn’t just for fun — it really is essential for their health and development.

The list of benefits is extensive, but to keep it short, we know it...

1. Boosts overall physical health
(eg. immune system, sleep quality)

2. Supports mental and emotional wellbeing
(eg. reduced stress/anxiety, emotional regulation)

3. Enhances cognitive function
(eg. better focus, encourages imagination and creativity, improves problem-solving skills)

4. Builds resilience and social skills
(eg. risky play, cooperative play, shared discovery)

5. Promotes spiritual/psychological growth
(eg. deeper connection to the world around them, increased mindfulness)

When we prioritize nature-based play, we're not just supporting childhood — we're helping build the foundation for lifelong wellbeing.

#forestschool #getoutside #childledlearning #playbasedlearning #riskyplay #natureschool #ClarenceRockland #wellbeing #health #wildchild #naturebasedlearning #naturekids #childhood #earlychildhood #ottawa

What is Forest and Nature School?

Honestly, I get this question all the time, and it always stumps me because it's so hard to answer in a single sentence.

Forest and nature school is so many things, but at its core, it’s an approach to learning that takes place outdoors, in all seasons, and centers both the child and the Land. It’s not about worksheets or rigid schedules — it’s about giving children time, space, and trust to explore, play, and follow their curiosity.

In Forest School, we return to the same outdoor space again and again. Over time, children build a real relationship with the land — noticing the changes in the seasons, building memories in familiar places, and developing a deep sense of belonging.

Educators are there to support, not direct — we follow the child’s lead and respond to their interests, questions, and play. We believe that children are capable, creative, and wise, and we trust them to learn in ways that are meaningful to them.

Forest School is built on three pillars:
Trust — in children, in nature, and in the learning process.
Reciprocal relationships — with the land, with each other, and with ourselves.
Freedom — to move, to play, to take risks, and to be fully oneself.

It’s joyful, muddy, slow, curious, connected.

And it’s not just for kids — it’s for the whole community.

#ForestSchool #OutdoorLearning #NaturePlay #GetOutside #NatureBasedLearning #PlayBasedLearning #WildChild #NatureKids #LearningThroughPlay #ChildLedLearning #ClarenceRockland #ottawa

There's a disturbance in the forest...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm so excited to announce that after a ton of hard work, dedication, and planning, our forest school is officially opening soon and will be accepting registration in the coming weeks!

For now, welcome to our little corner of the internet ✨

Nature's Kindred forest school is located in Clarence-Rockland, nestled on the edge of Larose Forest. It's a very peaceful place that will soon be filled with play, learning, imagination, and lots of giggles 🤭
If you're curious and want to learn a little more, feel free to take a look at our website (link in bio), or send me a DM! I would LOVE to hear from you.

More announements coming soon, so keep your eyes peeled!

#forestschool #childledlearning #learningthroughplay #naturebasededucation #natureschool #clarencerockland
#OutdoorLearning #NaturePlay #GetOutside #FreeRangeKids #NatureBasedLearning #PlayBasedLearning #WildChild #NatureKids #LearningThroughPlay #ottawa

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SEE WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO

@natures_kindred

DISCOVER, PLAY, AND GROW AT NATURE'S KINDRED

A CHILDHOOD IN THE WILD

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

WAYFINDERS

​

SEE WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO

DISCOVER, PLAY, AND GROW
AT NATURE'S KINDRED

A
CHILDHOOD IN THE
WILD