The Helen Schuler Nature Centre will host Nature Play Fest on Saturday June 10 from 12:00 noon until 4:00 p.m. at Henderson Lake Park in Lethbridge. Everyone is encouraged to take part in the outdoor festival that will feature 20+ play-based activities hosted by several local community organizations.
“One big change people might notice this year is that we changed the name of the event from Nature Play Day to Nature Play Fest,” says Taylor Hecker, Program Leader with the Helen Schuler Nature Centre, “The event still offers many great opportunities to try something new, and most importantly to have fun outside as a family!”
Nature Play Fest will provide families with the opportunity to try diverse outdoor activities from kayaking to loose parts play! Activities are free for everyone to enjoy throughout the afternoon. Attendees will have the chance to try many different outdoor activities – including:
Try Canoeing – High Level Canoes and Kayaks
Watershed Games – Oldman Watershed Council
Scavenger Hunts – Mommy Connections Lethbridge
Solar Observation – Lethbridge Astronomy Society
Loose Parts Playground – Lethbridge College ECE Program
Mud Kitchen! – Family Centre
Obstacle Course – Building Brains Together
Painting Activity – Yellow Fish Road
Outdoor Sports Games – University of Lethbridge Horns Recreation
Yard Games – YMCA of Lethbridge
Physical Literacy Games – Lethbridge Public Library
Try eBikes! – Bike Lane
Bookmobile – Lethbridge Public Library
Event Cruiser – B93 & Wild 95
In addition, the event will also feature a Benefits of Nature Walk and Get Outside 101 signage between activity stations. This will showcase the many reasons spending time outside is beneficial for people at every age!
Promoting the importance of children and youth spending time outside and engaging in outdoor nature-based play has never been more important.
According to the ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth 2022, only 28 per cent of kids in Canada (5 to 17) are meeting national physical activity guidelines. While Canadian children and youth are increasingly sedentary, they are also spending less time outside. This is unfortunate, because there is strong evidence to suggest that when children are outside they are more active – moving more, sitting less, and playing longer! (https://www.participaction.com/the-science/children-and-youth-report-card/)
ParticipACTION indicates that family is a key source of influence on kids’ healthy movement. Parents and guardians are encouraged to facilitate physical activity by encouraging, watching, role modelling, co-participating, and attending events like Nature Play Fest. They are also encouraged to be active together as a family and make it a priority every day.
The community is encouraged to share their photos of what they are doing outside using the social media hashtags #NaturePlayFest #yql
