Let our tamariki play outside!
Our new website is coming soon!
Our Vision
Ōtautahi to be a place that values and protects the rights of tamariki to play outside
Our Mission
To promote the rights of tamariki to outdoor play in Otautahi by connecting with communities, identifying barriers, and collaboratively creating pathways to ensure every tamariki enjoys the freedom to play.
Our Mahi
We will:
Collaborate with local communities/organisations to increase outdoor play opportunities for tamariki,
Advocate for the rights of tamariki to play outside,
Educate about the critical importance of outdoor play for tamariki, and
Create and supporting the creation of spaces for tamariki to engage in outdoor play.
For further information, see our
Strategic Plan
Who are we?
We are a charitable trust based in Ōtautahi/Christchurch,
Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Treasured childhood memories of the freedom to play outside on Vancouver Island, led me to first becoming a teacher and now a nature-based playground designer. I would like all children to grow up feeling connected to people and place, with their own amazing play memories.
As a teacher, a mother and a Nature Play enthusiast, I have organized and run numerous Nature Play sessions with community groups, schools and kindergartens. Seeing tamariki deeply engaging in their unstructured play outside always gives me the greatest joy.
I’m a biophilic advocate and holistic educator who’s passionate about creating immersive experiences that strengthen our connections with nature, ourselves, and each other. The intention is to inspire reconnection with our innate sense of wonder and creativity through play, cultivating a deeper sense of agency and belonging within the community.
I’m an occupational therapist, mother, musical play specialist, nature-lover and neuroscience enthusiast. I’m passionate about play as a meaningful occupation that brings us joy and a sense of ease in our body – essential to our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being.
“Children are a kind of indicator species. If we can build a successful city for children, we will have a successful city for everyone.”
Enrique Peñalosa
former Mayor of Bogotá