Case Study
Little Wildings Nature Play
Outdoor Learning in Practice - Little Wildings Nature Play
"I'm passionate about encouraging children to spend more time outdoors, immersed in nature, and enjoying the freedom to play. It's incredibly important to me that the environment I create for them is a safe and fun space where they can explore and play freely, according to their own imaginations. Children are wonderfully creative, so a simple mud kitchen, for instance, might transform into a restaurant one day, and a cate or a shop the next. The resources I provide are there for them to discover and enjoy in their own way. It's their little world!"
For Jess Larkin, Founder of Little Wildings Nature Play, an outdoor stay-and-play group inspired by nature, mud and imaginations, what was created by a desire for an outdoor playgroup for her own children closer to home has turned into one of the most eye-catching settings in the UK. Established in 2021, and based in private woodland in Swadlincote, Derbyshire since 2022, Little Wildlings has a clear philosophy around outdoor learning and a commitment to welcoming children up to 10 years old.
"I am committed to child-led play because it empowers children to take control, set their own rules, and express themselves freely," she said. "Watching the beautiful friendships that have blossomed in the woods between both children and adults has been really touching. Many children, especially those who struggled socially after the lockdown, began to thrive in the group week after week. It's incredibly emotional for me to witness and I feel truly privileged to be able to provide this space where they can grow and connect."
The setting has evolved in partnership with Cosy, which has provided ideas and inspiration from its extensive outdoor learning range. "It began as a simple group in a field with just a few themed activity trays and a makeshift mud kitchen, but it quickly blossomed into such a wonderful community," Jess recalled.
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"With our Cosy equipment on site, what was once a neglected space has been transformed into a truly magical environment"
Jess Larkin, Founder of Little Wildings Nature Play
"The large equipment proved to be a game changer really. Not only did it provide the children with new opportunities for exploration, but it also significantly reduced my set-up time. It has also been incredibly versatile! In the past, we have turned our climbing cube into a rocket, and the pirate ship became a sleigh at Christmas. When we recently received the bird watching hut, I immediately saw its potential as the perfect role play shop. It's all been an invaluable investment, enriching both play and learning in ways I couldn't have imagined."
Jess acknowledged there are challenges in choosing products for her outdoor learning setting. "For our sessions, it can be challenging to decide what to add to the space given the wide age range of children attending and our desire to cater for all abilities," she said. "However, what I've learned from observing how they engage with the resources on-site is that each child interacts with the environment in their own way, gaining different skills from it."
A (Very Small) Selection Of The Cosy Products That Have Found Their New Home At Little Wildings Nature Play
The Mighty Kitchen Station
Simple Outdoor Mixing Station Tall
Learn & Lounge Forest Fern
Four Panel Art Easel
As for the future for Little Wildings?
"Looking ahead, I plan to offer more weekend family sessions, as I believe school-aged children in particular often miss out on the opportunity to engage in this type of play and these sort of groups usually run during the week. We've noticed that older children, who sometimes accompany their younger siblings, can be hesitant to join in at first. However, once they are there, they can't resist getting involved, much to their parents' surprise. It's also a really lovely opportunity to connect with nature as a family too."