Our Meithrin Natur - Nature Nurture sessions
During July and August 2026, we took Meithrin Natur – Nature Nurture out into the community to test a variety of nature-based experiences with children aged 0–5 and their families.
Working with local partners and specialist providers, we explored different environments, activities and ways for families to connect with nature. From creative workshops and community gardens to dinosaurs, mini beasts, growing, sensory experiences and Forest School, every session gave us something different to learn.
Take a look at some of our Pilot adventures below...
🎨 Cyanotype Printing with Paint Love Bake
On Saturday the 18th July our Pilot began with a beautiful nature-inspired creative session with Paint Love Bake at Heol Chwarae Rol - Role Play Lane. Families explored cyanotype printing, using natural materials to create their own unique designs and discovering a completely different way to look at the shapes and patterns found in nature.
🌿 Meadow Street Community Garden
On Saturday 25th July families headed out to Meadow Street Community Garden to explore its woodland, natural play spaces, roundhouse and hidden corners led by Heol Chwarae Rol - Role Play Lane staff. Rather than following a tightly structured activity, children had the freedom to investigate, play and discover the environment at their own pace.
🦖 Dinosaur Roar with Growing Space Pontypridd
On Wednesday 29th July, dinosaurs took over the Wild Zone at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park in Pontypridd! Growing Space Pontypridd CIC led families on a dinosaur-themed nature adventure featuring a dino trail, storytime, dinosaur prints and den building, combining imaginative play with outdoor exploration.
🌸 Growing Together with Happy Boots
On Thursday 30th of July our Meithrin Natur Pilot took us to Happy Boots CIC at Canolfan Calon Taf, Pontypridd for a wonderfully hands-on morning of planting, growing and discovering more about the plants around us.
Families helped plant flowers in the garden beds, decorated their own pots and planted seeds to take home and grow. Little ones also had the chance to learn about different plants and even taste edible flowers, bringing plenty of colour, curiosity and new experiences to the session.
It was a lovely opportunity for children and their grown-ups to get their hands in the soil, learn together and discover some of the different ways we can connect with nature through growing.
🌿 Stiwdio37 at Role Play Lane
On Thursday the 30th July, Stiwdio37 came to Heol Chwarae Rol - Role Play Lane for another hands-on Meithrin Natur session, bringing nature, creativity and growing together in a familiar and accessible setting for families.
Children and their grown-ups were able to get involved, create, explore and learn together, showing that connecting with nature doesn't always have to mean heading deep into the woods. Nature-based experiences can begin in the everyday spaces families already know and feel comfortable in.
🌳 Forest School with Ignite Up at Dare Valley
On Friday the 31st July, families headed into the woodland with Ignite Up for a very different kind of Meithrin Natur experience. Children were given space to explore, investigate and play in the natural environment, with activities including woodland discovery, nature exploration and the all-important campfire experience.
🐛 Creepy Crawly Adventure with Growing Space Pontypridd
On Friday 31st July, we went back in the Wild Zone with Growing Space Pontypridd...this time we went tiny! Families searched for mini beasts, got creative with clay bugs and explored the muddy kitchen, encouraging children to investigate some of the smallest creatures sharing our outdoor spaces.
🍃 Nature Printing at Role Play Lane
On Tuesday the 4th August, nature became our art materials for this creative Meithrin Natur session, inspired by Nature’s Printmaker and delivered by the Role Play Lane team.
Families explored the shapes, patterns and textures found in nature, using natural materials to create their own prints and artwork. It was a lovely way for little ones to look more closely at the natural world, get creative and discover that leaves, plants and other everyday finds can become part of their play and learning.
Another very different way to connect with nature, with plenty of creativity along the way!
🌱 Build, Grow & Explore at Stiwdio37
On Thursday the 6th August, our Meithrin Natur Pilot took us to Stiwdio37 for a hands-on session packed with making, growing and exploring.
Families made and decorated their own planters, before filling them with soil, planting some seeds and watering with lovely cloud watering devices made by Stiwdio 37 themselves! There was also a nature hunt to encourage little explorers to look closely, search, spot and discover the natural world around them.
A lovely mix of creativity, growing and exploration, with plenty of opportunities for children and their grown-ups to learn and get involved together.