Children and Outdoor Play
The psychology of outdoor play for healthy childhood development.
Experience first-hand unstructured outdoor play in an immersive tour of two of Kings Park’s play spaces. Visit the Poolgarla Family Area and the Ivey Watson Playground (designed for children under six years). Finish at Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park, one of the world’s first nature-based discovery and learning spaces. Discuss the importance of outdoor play for the cognitive, social, and emotional wellbeing of a happy, whole child. Focus on the aspects of human development, psychology, and contemporary play space design.
Students will:
- Understand growth and development of individuals.
- Understand strategies designed to promote growth and development.
- Discuss changes across developmental stages (physical, cognitive, social, and emotional).
- Discuss importance of outdoor play in the context of healthy childhood development, understanding the social, psychological, and physical benefits it offers.
- Make observations and appreciate the design elements incorporated into the play spaces of Kings Park.
- Engage in physical activity through unstructured play, which helps develop children’s motor skills, coordination, and overall fitness.
- Experience the benefits of being outdoors and a connection with nature, for well-being.
Fee Structure
Secondary School Programs (Years 7 to 12)
$12.50 per student
$187.50 minimum booking fee
- All prices include GST
- Minimum booking fees apply
- Teachers and supervising adults are free of charge
- Payment can be made via electronic funds transfer (EFT) or credit card
- You will receive an email confirming your booking once we have received and processed your completed application form. 
-  You will receive a tax invoice within one week of your excursion.  Please confirm any changes to student numbers before the day of your excursion.
- Kings Park Education reserves the right to cancel a booking at any time. 
How to book
Please note during school terms, group visits to Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park must be in conjunction with a Kings Park Education program booking.    
- Select your program and preferred date
- Email your enquiry to the Kings Park Education Booking Officer
Please include the year group and number of students - Check your confirmation email to ensure your booking details are correct. All changes must be requested in writing.
- Please see Excursion Information tab to plan your visit.
Bookings are essential for all excursions to Kings Park and Bold Park. Bookings are also required for all informal visits by school groups (including picnics and playtime) to ensure your safety in an emergency.
We recommend making your booking at least one term in advance, due to the popularity of our programs.
Resources
Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park Design Factsheets
Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park is a big project that required years of planning and significant funding to deliver. However, the same principles can be applied to creating a nature space for children of any scale. Here are the steps we took to create Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park.
Excursion Information
Please bring enough adults to ensure student safety. The recommended adult to student ratio for Kings Park Education excursions are:  
- Kindergarten 1:4
- PP - Year 2 1:5
- Year 3-6 1:6
- Year 7-8 1:10
- Year 9-10 1:15
- Year 11-12 1:30
Arrive at least 20 minutes before your program is due to start. Please note, your program will be cut short if you are late.
Provide students and adult helpers with advice on suitable outdoor clothing and items to bring. We recommend students wear their sports uniforms, closed-in shoes, a hat, and bring a raincoat in case of wet weather. Please bring water bottles, lunch/recess, insect repellent, sunscreen and a first aid kit. To prevent foraging by hungry birds we recommend students use individual backpacks.
Cancellation Policy
Kings Park and Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park is a popular choice for school excursions.
Please take care when selecting your program and booking date as some, or all, of the fees may still apply if you chose to cancel the booking.
If you do decide to cancel the booking, please provide at least 30 days’ notice so that we can offer another group the opportunity to visit.
Unless there are exceptional circumstances, failure to provide the required notice will incur the minimum booking fee per class. Schools that do not provide any notice of cancellation and fail to attend on the day will be charged the full booking fee.
Kings Park and Botanic Garden and Bold Park are outdoor venues. Programs will go ahead in most weather conditions. In cases of Severe Weather Warnings, Total Fire Bans or Extreme or Catastrophic Fire Danger Ratings, Kings Park Education programs and events may be cancelled prior to or on the day of the excursion by the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority (BGPA). In this instance the BGPA will contact all booked groups. If the program cannot be rescheduled to another date, a full refund will be provided where payment has been made in advance.
In cases of a Severe Weather Warning, Total Fire Ban, Extreme or Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating, Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park and Bold Park will be closed to all visitors. 
Program information
Session duration
1.5 hours
Age group
Curriculum links
Enquire now
education@bgpa.wa.gov.au
9480 3638