Weekend Nature Play

Free outdoor programming where community comes together to meet, learn and play in the Children’s Garden. Join us every Saturday and select Sundays for an experience like no other!

Follow the historic Valley Chimney to the best place in the city of Toronto for year-round outdoor exploration and supervised play for you and your child to experience in the Children’s Garden at Evergreen Brick Works.

 

Open every Saturday and select Sundays from 10AM-1PM.

About Weekend Nature Play

Designed to showcase the benefits of outdoor play and learning, the Children’s Garden offers an urban yet wild landscape for supervised child-led play and stewardship-based opportunities for people of all ages and abilities visiting Evergreen Brick Works.

 

Weekend Nature Play takes place in the Children’s Garden, giving children, families and caregivers alike the chance to engage in active, inclusive and seasonal activities while cultivating a lifelong relationship with the nature around us. We believe in nurturing curiosity, embracing belonging and developing urban naturalist skills at all ages.

 

Our highly skilled outdoor educator team help curate child-led activities allowing for risky play that is ‘as safe as necessary’ rather than ‘as safe as possible’ as families and caregivers provide supervision for their child.

Details

This is a free, year-round and supervised outdoor program for all ages and abilities which takes place every Saturday and select Sundays from 10am-1pm in the Children’s Garden at Evergreen Brick Works.

 

*Please note that no pets are allowed in the Children’s Garden except for service animals and as this program is offered year-round, we recommend visiting this page often for updates on upcoming program dates.

Every Saturday and select Sundays from 10AM-1PM
DatesTimings
Saturday, November 2510AM-1PM
Saturday, December 210AM-1PM
Saturday, December 910AM-1PM
Sunday, December 1010AM-1PM
Saturday, December 1610AM-1PM
Sunday, December 1710AM-1PM
Saturday, December 2310AM-1PM
Saturday, December 3010AM-1PM
Children's Garden Rules

Adults

  • Children must be supervised at all times
  • No smoking
  • No bikes
  • No pets except service animals


Children

  • No throwing
  • Logs and sticks must be transported with one end on the ground
  • Care for yourself, others and this space

FAQ

Where is the Children’s Garden?

Once at Evergreen Brick Works, follow the historic Valley Chimney to the best place in the city of Toronto to join us for a free, drop-in and supervised outdoor play program open year-round for you and your child to explore, experience and play with nature!

 

You can follow our wayfinding signage to reach the Children’s Garden or see here for our visitormap.

Are dogs allowed during Weekend Nature Plan in the Children’s Garden?

No dogs or other pets are allowed in the Children’s Garden except for certified service animals.

What is the admission cost for Weekend Nature Play?

There is no admission fee! Weekend Nature Play is a free, year-round, drop-in and supervised outdoor program for people of all ages and abilities.

 

We do accept donations here. Thank you kindly as your donations ensure that even more children and people can access our community programs at Evergreen Brick Works!

How old does my child have to be to take part in the Weekend Nature Play program?

Children and adults of all ages and abilities are welcome to take part in Weekend Nature Play!
Please note that this is a supervised program where adults and caregivers must always be around their children for safety reasons as others around partake in risky play and activities.

What kind of activities take place during Weekend Nature Play?

Our highly skilled outdoor educator team set out provocations and activities depending on the season and weather so activities may include but are not limited to:

  • Touch Tables
  • Shelter Building
  • Songs & Storytelling
  • Nature Crafts
  • Sand Play
How long does Weekend Nature Play run for?

The program runs from 10AM-1PM every Saturday with select Sundays year-round. This is a drop-in program and you’re welcome to stay for as long as you wish between 10AM-1PM.

 

We encourage you to keep checking this page for more updates on upcoming Weekend Nature Play dates or reach out to natureplay@evergreen.ca for more information.

Can I have a picnic, barbecue or fire in the Children’s Garden?

Unfortunately, no, but you can absolutely have a picnic outside of the Children’s Garden! We have picnic tables scattered in the alleyway leading up to the Children’s Garden and around Evergreen Brick Works with some under cover with other tables out in the open. These tables fill on a first-come, first-served basis and we ask you to make sure you properly dispose of all picnic waste before leaving the premises.

 

Please note that the parkland behind Evergreen Brick Works is not appropriate for spreading out picnic blankets – all grassy areas are earmarked for wildlife and human visitors along with their furry pets should stay on the pathways to minimize ecological damage.

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