The Grove

Together, we gather outdoors to play in the mud kitchen, tend and water the garden, create process-based art from natural materials, and explore the natural world. Rooted in the rhythms of the seasons, our time together includes simple, nature-inspired crafts and activities that follow the changing year.

This program is held entirely outdoors, giving children the freedom to explore, imagine, and play in ways that feel natural to them. Wild Child nurtures curiosity, creativity, and a deep reverence for the earth.

Come connect with other nature-minded families and build community at The Grove.

Registration is required. No church affiliation.

Book Here

Tuesdays 9:30AM-11:30AM

St. Barnabas Church yard

0-7

$5/child plus $2.50/sibling over 6 months

When:

Where:

Ages:

Cost:

Two young girls playing in an outdoor pretend kitchen surrounded by greenery. One girl is wearing a blue hoodie and shorts, and the other is wearing a red gingham dress and a gray cap.
A child with dirty hands, wearing a teal hoodie, showing their hands to the camera, with soil or mud on their hands.
A young girl wearing pink sunglasses and a light-colored T-shirt with a floral pattern paints on a canvas set on a wooden pallet easel outdoors.
A young girl squatting on a wooden play table outdoors, playing with colorful wooden building blocks, with brick wall and greenery in the background.
A child's hand reaching into a wooden box filled with uncooked fusilli pasta and kidney beans.
A birdhouse mounted on a chain-link fence surrounded by green leaves. The birdhouse has a small wooden roof and a black metal grid on the front, holding a piece of suet. Below the birdhouse, colored pieces of paper are attached to a string with cloth
A smiling woman wearing a brown cap and sleeveless dress holds a young boy, who is holding a toy or tool, while sitting outdoors near a colorful fabric backdrop and surrounded by greenery.
A child's hands stacking wooden blocks on a table with drawings and art supplies, outdoors with a garden background.
A white container filled with various colored wooden and plastic balls, placed inside a wooden frame with surrounding green leaves and wood chips.
Three children playing in a sandbox with gardening tools and toy kitchenware, surrounded by a wooden fence.
A metal box of colorful chalks on a textured surface with papers and a clothespin nearby.
Four young children playing in a pretend outdoor kitchen made of wood, with various toy dishes, bowls, and utensils. One girl in a black sweater is washing dishes, while another girl with pigtails in a red jacket is holding a wooden bowl. The scene is set outdoors with greenery, a white fabric backdrop, and a chain-link fence.

Sample Morning:

9:30: Arrival time, unstructured free play, time to socialize with caregivers

10:45: Clean up

11:00: Snack time

11:15: Circle time

11:30: See you next week!

Our time together is fluid and subject to change. Follow your child’s lead. If they would like to play quietly during circle time, please let them. It is important to provide rhythm for our children, but not force them into it. They will fall into the rhythm when they are ready!

How to dress for outdoor playgroup:

EVERY DAY: Hats - sun hat or toque - for grown-ups too! Bring a change of clothes for your child.

Warm days: Sandals or breathable shoes. Clothes that can get wet or muddy. Sunscreen or UV protective clothing.

Cool days: Rain pants, rain boots, warm sweater.

Cold days: Base layers, lined rainsuit, warm boots, waterproof mittens, neck warmer, wool or thick socks.

A young child sitting on wood chips with a blue floral hat and brown clothing, holding an orange translucent fabric. An adult's legs and feet are visible nearby.

Inclement and Extreme Weather Policy

Wild Child programming will not run if:

  • The temperature is higher than 30°C.

  • The air quality is rated a 7 or higher. If the air quality is rated at 4-6, conditions will be closely monitored.

  • The temperature is lower than 0 degrees Celsius (including wind chill).

  • There is a weather warning in effect

In the event that Wild Child is canceled due to inclement weather, we will promptly communicate the cancellation to all participants through email. You will be able to transfer your ticket to another week.