If you’ve ever caught yourself whispering “Be careful!” for the thousandth time… or hovering nervously as your child scrambles up a boulder… this is for you. If you dream of giving your kids gentle adventure, slow mornings in nature, and your unhurried, undistracted presence – this is absolutely for you.
Raw & Unearthed is a nature playgroup for wild hearts and gentle souls. It’s one of those rare weekly activities that’s a magical little gift you give your kids. And yourself.
It’s calm. It’s wild. It’s messy. It’s wonderful.
Our Playing in Puddles family has been going to these sessions for years with our boys, and they’ve brought us so much joy. It’s hard to describe the magic, but here’s what we can tell you: these classes offer freedom. Space. Quiet adventure. Time in the bush where your child and you can truly be together and breathe.
And they give something else too… something we hadn’t expected at first: they’re not just good for the kids. They’re really, really good for us parents.
What to Expect at a Raw & Unearthed Session
Each class is held at Kincumba Mountain Reserve, where the playground is the bush. Sessions run for 2 hours (1.5 hours for babies), and they’re beautifully slow. There’s a cosy home base set up with rugs beneath the gums and a deep respect for Country. From there, the kids take the lead – choosing how they want to explore, connect, move, and play.
Bec brings a Mary Poppins-worthy toolkit of treasures – think binoculars, Huckleberry magnifying glasses, clay, fossicker baskets, test tubes, natural watercolour paints, whittling tools, palm drills and more. But the real magic? It’s in the space, the time, and the trust.
You’ll spend your morning getting muddy. Getting messy. Getting present. You’ll put away your phone, leave the to-do list in the car, and just be – with your child, in the wild. And that? That’s something we so rarely gift ourselves.
You might hear people say, “Oh, I could do that myself.” But will you? Honestly? Life gets busy. Shopping. Laundry. Work. These classes carve out the space for you – and they hold it gently. You’ll return home each week not just with muddy knees and flower petals in your pockets… but with a heart full and memories that matter.
These classes are wonderful for kids… and even better for parents
As a mum of two young boys, I didn’t realise I needed these classes until I was there.
It becomes a weekly moment to pause, slow down, and be exactly where your feet are – under the trees, beside your child, in full awe of what they can do.
I watched my children clamber over rocks, balance on logs, use tools I never thought they could, and take risks in the best possible way – all while being supported, seen, and trusted. And slowly, I started to see just how capable they are.
Believe me, it’s a wonderful feeling. You’ll trust your children more. You’ll hover less. And you’ll exhale.
That’s what happened to me.
I went for my boys, but Bec – with her gentle patience and steady calm – helped me see that I was learning too. I was learning to let go. I thought I was a mum who was pretty relaxed, but I learnt to let them explore even more. To trust in my children’s own judgement and physicality. To say ,“Be a lizard” as they scaled the rocks, instead of “Be careful!” I realised they didn’t need me to stop them – they needed me to trust them.
It was empowering. For them. And for me. And I know it’ll be the same for you.
We wish these classes on every family. Especially the ones who are a little unsure. Come. Let go. Let them play. You won’t regret it.
Raw & Unearthed term 3 class details
Location: Kincumba Mountain Reserve.
Ages: 6 months – 6 years.
Days: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Classes and costs:
– R&U-PLAY (6mo–6yrs): 9:30–11:30am, $20/child/lesson for the term.
– R&U-BABIES (0–3yrs): Mondays, 9:30–11am, $15/child/lesson for the term.
Sibling discount: 50% off – use code SIBDISCOUNT.
Bookings: Click here to book
Raw & Unearthed’s Instagram page
Raw & Unearthed’s Facebook page
Raw & Unearthed’s website
Bec is currently welcoming enrolments for the Monday 0–3 year group and the Tuesday 6mo–6yrs class – both have spots, but they will fill quickly!
Written By: KATIE STOKES
Founder & Editor
After working in print and online media for more than a decade, Katie launched Playing in Puddles in 2017. A mum of three young boys and local of the Central Coast, Katie loves discovering and sharing all that’s happening in our region.
