If you’re looking for a campfire activity that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, these Chocolate Orange Campfire Cakes tick all the boxes. Not only are they delicious, but they’re also a fantastic way for children to practise fine motor skills, learn basic cooking techniques, and understand fire safety.
Yes, I know! This isn’t our usual kind of content but we’re rolling with it because we’re (slowly) putting together some kind of campfire cookbook-thingy-ma-jiggy. Doing this once a week keeps me on track, and hey, it’s tasty!
Whether you're cooking with kids, hosting a family bushwalk, or just hanging out by the firepit at home, grilled halloumi is one of those treats that feels just a little bit special without any fuss.
As the cool winter nights begin to stretch out into longer daylight, we know those backyard fire pits are calling. There’s something so grounding about gathering around a fire to cook. Something ancient. Something slow.
There’s something special about winter in the forest. Cool mornings, warm fires, and the kind of unhurried play that makes memories for life. These July school holidays were no exception; your Wildlings embraced every moment with open hearts, dirty hands, and endless imagination.
If the words ‘fire’, ‘child’ and ‘play’ in the same sentence make you nervous, then this one’s for you.
Tomorrow, Saturday June 21st, is the Winter Solstice, when the Earth tilts furthest from the sun, giving us the shortest day and longest night of the year. It might pass quietly for some, but for thousands of years, people across the world have seen this as a powerful moment to slow down, gather together, and celebrate the return of light.
Every time we visited a playground, she’d climb the wrong way up the slide. If I signed her up for a class or workshop, she’d wander off to the opposite side of the building, chasing something entirely different—and far more interesting (to her, anyway). For a while, I genuinely thought it was just us. Maybe we weren’t like other families whose kids sat still, followed instructions, and just... fit in.
When we found Wildlings, everything changed.
After years spent in school and the workforce, it’s easy to start measuring everything by outcomes—even the way we play with our children. I found myself scrolling for craft ideas or activities, thinking, This is how it’s supposed to be done. But over time, I realised there is no “correct” way to play. The most profound shift in my parenting came when I let go of the need to lead, and instead began offering something called play invitations.
When I moved to a new town with a five-year-old, I thought I was signing up for outdoor fun and mud play—just something for my daughter to enjoy. What I found instead was a community that changed the way I parent and a place where both of us could grow.
Living in such a beautiful place means that during the school holidays, things can get pretty busy. That’s why now is the time for families to get out and enjoy all that South East Queensland has to offer—before the crowds arrive and the rush takes over.
Hop in the car, wear something comfy, and take a short, scenic drive. No long hiking trails, no complicated plans—just a quick getaway without any pressure.
Being part of Wildlings, both as a parent and a team member, has profoundly changed me—not just in how I parent but in how I view all children and the way society treats them.
It also made me rethink how I wanted my Wildling to navigate the school system—what experiences were worth pursuing and what simply weren’t.
As parents, we all want to set our kids up for success. We want them to do well in school, make friends easily, and grow into happy, capable adults.
But with so much pressure on academics these days, it’s easy to let those inner worries take over and wonder: Am I doing enough?
Village parenting is not the domain of parents alone. Playworkers, educators, mentors, coaches, aunties, uncles, grandparents, friends’ parents and even animals can be village parents too. It’s a collective, intuitive process whereby everyone’s needs get met, and everyone gets to thrive.
At Wildlings, we believe in the power of long-term, immersive nature play. While a single adventure in the forest can spark excitement, the real magic happens when children return, week after week, to the same wild spaces.
Living in South East Queensland means embracing the rainy weather as part of life. For kids, rainy days open up exciting opportunities to connect with nature. Building seed pod boats is a fantastic way for children to enjoy the outdoors, even when it’s wet. Whether floating boats in a local stream, driveway puddles, or backyard ditches, this activity combines fun, creativity, and environmental learning.
Keen for adventure but dreading the chaotic clean-up? The key is to anticipate messes and pack accordingly so you can stay relaxed while your child immerses themselves in the natural world.
Sticky, gooey, oozy, slimy, glorious mud! It’s a quintessential childhood ingredient, one that parents either avoid or tolerate. At Wildlings, we embrace it. Or rather, the children do!
When rain transforms our dirt paths into pits, bogs, slides, and kitchens, the magic of mud play begins. The sheer joy on children’s faces is hard to capture in words, but the benefits of mud are easier to share.
And yes, we know what you’re thinking: what about the mess? Don’t worry, we’ve got hot tips for parents too.