Buds n Blooms Intergenerational Nature Play Group - EcoHub (Term 4, 2025)

Buds n Blooms is an intergenerational nature play group that provides a community led, highly enriched, sensory and outdoor learning and play environment for all ages. The weekly program (Tuesdays 9.30am-11.30am during school terms), encourages children, older adults and other attendees to engage with the environment in a garden based setting, led by a skilled facilitator.

This program is suitable for all, aged 0-100! Our guided activities and workshops are structured and directed towards ages 0-7 but remain inclusive for all to participate and enjoy. There will be something different happening each time!

Term 4 Activity Schedule

• 14 October - planting giant sunflower seeds to take home
• 21 October - potted herbs for grandparents day
• 28 October - take home your own worm farm in a jar (participants to bring wide mouthed jar with lid please)
• 4 November - planting seedlings in Buds n' Blooms beds
• 11 November - potting up mint cuttings
• 18 November - making wool butterflys
• 25 November - crafting your own long neck turtles with clay
• 2 December - create a spiderweb with natural materials
• 9 December - pesto morning tea
• 16 December - clay hearts

Some other activities participants enjoy at Buds n Blooms include:

• Planting and tending to the EcoHub gardens
• Nature art
• Making food from harvested produce
• Playing and building in the garden space
• F eeding the worms and making compost
• Checking on the fish and aquaponic system

Please remember it is your responsibility at all times to ensure that you are close to your child/dependent, and able to intervene for their safety when needed.

Buds n Blooms is part of our ongoing toddler programs at EcoHub including: Tales and Trails Storytime, Little Makers Loose Parts Play and nature-based free play. Please checkout out Eventbrite Environment and Sustainability Collection for all upcoming event details.

What to expect:

Length

This event goes for two hours, and is quite informal with some guided activities that children and carers can participate in if they wish.

Start time

This event is open for guests to come and go as they please.

Location

Bottom Level - Ngoolark Space, outside in the amphitheatre and garden, with a quiet indoor space also available in Moodjar Room.

Requirements

Sessions will run outdoors in all weather so we recommend bringing a change of clothes, wet weather gear, hats, sunscreen and insect repellent. Please bring your own drink bottle and your own morning tea. Note that shelter from the rain is available.

Type of event and expectations - Playgroup rules apply - children may freely play whilst parents supervise nearby for safety. Quiet spaces will be available at this event.

Accessibility

One ACROD parking bay is available at front of EcoHub, rooms are located on multiple levels via a ramp and toilets are available within the venue. For specific access requirements please feel free to call or email EcoHub at (08)9364 0191 or ecohub@melville.wa.gov.au.

Some safety requirements:

• Carers are responsible for the children in their care and must supervise them closely at all times. Please note that there are hazards around EcoHub including insects and spiders, reptiles, branches, trip hazards, ponds, vehicles.
• The ramp and railing can be dangerous. Climbing on the ramp is not permitted, and running on the ramp should be discouraged.
• Please ensure your child/ren are not adding items to the water feature or fish pond (or getting into them).
• Please respect areas that are coned off or taps off to restrict access.
• Please do not drink EcoHub tapwater. Only drink water that has been bolied or is from the provided water coolers.

Directions to EcoHub

Please consider using public transportation. A bus stop, just a 2-minute walk away, is conveniently located near EcoHub and services multiple routes.

EcoHub is located at 555 Leach Highway, Winthrop in the Piney Lakes Reserve. To reach us, if heading westbound, take the first left after Murdoch Drive on Leach Highway. If coming from the Fremantle area, continue on Leach Hwy across Murdoch Drive and use the designated U-turn just after the lights to move to the westbound lanes. Go back through the lights at Murdoch Drive and take the first left. Please park in the signed public carpark.

Enews and follow Eventbrite page

Subscribe to City of Melville Sustainability and Environment e-newsletter to stay up to date with upcoming environment and sustainability events in City of Melville. To be notified of all events follow our Eventbrite page.

Recycling hub

Bring the following items in household quantities for recycling at EcoHub when you attend: household batteries, printer cartridges, light globes, mobile phones and chargers, plastic bread tags, oral care products, plastic bottle lids, metal bottle lids, beer can clips and corks.

For more recycling option check out Bottle Top Hill recycling events held at EcoHub monthly, second Saturday 9.00am to 11.00am.

View the Gardening Australia segment on the Hilton Harvest Buds n Blooms by clicking the following link (please be aware this is not the same setting as the EcoHub session - and unfortunately we do not have any chickens!) https://www.abc.net.au/gardening/factsheets/buds-n-blooms/11708312