“If children grow up not knowing about nature and appreciating it, they will not understand it, and if they don’t understand it, they won’t protect it, and if they don’t protect it, who will?”
David Attenborough
Explore – Discover – Create – Connect
Imagine a place where children spend their days outside, exploring, discovering the world through their own curiosity. At Wildly Curious, 4–12+ year olds learn by doing, planting and cooking from the garden, creating art and sculpture with natural materials, building huts, experimenting with science and engineering and diving into projects.
Younger children follow playful adventures and hands-on discovery, while older children take on bigger projects, learn from mentors and collaborate with peers across ages. Every activity is designed to spark curiosity, creativity and confidence, helping children grow skills that last a lifetime — all while having fun, making friends and connecting deeply with nature.
At Wildly Curious, every day is an adventure and every child leaves feeling empowered, inspired and ready to be a Kaitiaki of their own path and planet.
“The outdoors offers limitless potential to children. It becomes a place where they can relax their mind, to be inspired and to deep dive into the world of imagination. It’s a place where they can design, create and explore. The possibilities are endless”. Angela Hanscon
Our Programs
Pìwakawaka 4 – 6 Years
Thursday | Termly | 9am – 2.45pm
Step into a world of adventure with our Pīwakawaka group!
Young explorers spend their days outside, playing in the bamboo grove, orchard and bush areas, guided by our mentors. They get muddy, plant and harvest from the garden, create art with natural materials, cook their own food, tell stories and make friends — all while letting their imaginations run wild.
Every child is encouraged to play, explore and grow, learning to become the Kaitiaki of their planet.
Kaitiaki 7 – 12 Years
Thursday | Termly | 9am – 2.45pm
The Kaitiaki program is designed for children aged 7–12+, offering a full day of hands-on, outdoor learning. Through entrepreneurship, project-based learning, art, sculpture and creative challenges, children explore ideas, experiment and bring projects to life.
The program also weaves in gardening, life skills and nature-based experiences, encouraging curiosity, problem-solving and practical knowledge. Excursions to beaches, forests and inspiring local sites like Goat Island Marine Lab make learning real and exciting.
Guest workshops and community experts add extra depth, inspiring children to think creatively, work collaboratively and see the impact of their ideas in the wider world.
Children are innate scientists and love to experience the sights, scents, sounds, and textures of the outdoors. Nature provides countless opportunities for discovery, creativity, problem-solving, and STEAM education. Interacting with natural environments allows children to learn by doing and experimenting with ideas. At Wildly Curious we foster these ideas and turn them into sessions that the children develop their unique creativity through Sustainability, Responsibility, Environmental Science, Art and Nature based experiences.
Project based activities:
Our approach to outdoor education enriches project-based learning by moving beyond a normal classroom and into nature. Here, students immerse themselves in fieldwork, conduct research, and take part in conservation efforts. This hands-on experience strengthens their understanding of the natural world, encourages environmental responsibility and makes learning more meaningful and hands-on.
“If we want children to flourish, to become truly empowered then let us allow them to love the earth before we ask them to save it”.
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Holiday Program
The Wildly Curious holiday program is held at our outdoor centre in Matakana a natural play space! The focus is on being creative and having fun, while learning from and through nature. Leave your children in our experienced, professional care, to have the ultimate adventure!
Children aged 4 -12+ will have a great time exploring and learning from the bush with their siblings and new friends, getting to know some of Aotearoa’s native fauna and flora, building bush shelters, playing outside, invasion games, creating artworks using tools from nature, cooking, drama and learning about exploring while hunting for treasure.
HOLIDAY DATES: April 14th, 15th & 16th
Sessions run from 9.00am – 3.00pm
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR CHILD
Let’s create a generation of creative, confident and capable learners within an exciting and meaningful learning environment.
(C.Whittington, Program Director)
Our young explorers learning how children should!
Location: Matakana, Auckland