Does your little one chase butterflies, chat to lizards, or try to “rescue” worms from the footpath? If so, you’ve got a nature lover on your hands - and that natural curiosity is something truly special.
At Papilio, we believe meaningful learning happens everywhere, especially outdoors. Exploring nature builds empathy, confidence, and a deep sense of care for the environment - and it all begins with those magical childhood moments spent spotting bugs in the backyard or listening to birds sing.
Here are some easy, hands-on ways your family can support local wildlife - no acreage or green thumb required.
Design a Bee Airbnb
Turn a recycled tin can, jar, or even a cardboard tube into a cosy native bee hotel. Fill it with paper straws or bamboo offcuts, then let your child add their artistic flair with paint or stickers. Place it somewhere sunny, and watch as curious little bees move in. It’s a fun craft that also sparks great chats about pollination and how important bees are to our planet.
Grow a Garden for Pollinators
Want to turn your front yard or balcony into a wildlife hotspot? Plant bright, beautiful native flowers like kangaroo paw, bottlebrush, or grevillea. Kids will love digging, planting, and watering - and even more so when bees and butterflies start to arrive. It’s hands-on learning with instant reward: colour, movement, and connection to life cycles.
Tip: Pop your Bee Airbnb nearby so your native bees have a fresh source of nectar close to home!
Create a Lizard Lounge
Flat rocks, dry leaves, and a few sunny spots are all you need to create a chill-out zone for blue-tongue lizards and skinks. It’s the perfect excuse to slow down and observe. Your child will love tiptoeing quietly over to check for wriggly visitors - and you’ll love the calm, screen-free moments you share.
Hang a Homemade Bird Feeder
Grab a pinecone, roll it in peanut butter or honey, sprinkle it with seed, and hang it from a tree or balcony rail. Watch as feathered friends stop by for a snack! Make a game of spotting who visits - rainbow lorikeets, noisy miners, maybe even a kookaburra - and help your child record their findings with drawings or photos.
Go on a Backyard Bug Hunt
You don’t need to head to a national park to connect with wildlife. Wander around your garden, local park, or even your driveway with a magnifying glass or camera. Look under leaves, inside bark, and around flowerbeds to see who’s living nearby. Encourage your child to ask questions, share their discoveries, and simply enjoy the wonder of it all.
Tiny Actions, Big Impact
These simple activities aren’t just about fun (though they’re certainly that!). They also nurture a powerful sense of responsibility and connection - qualities that will shape how your child sees and cares for the world as they grow.
Whether it’s watching a bee buzz by, spotting a lizard sunbake on a rock, or hearing your little one declare, “We made a garden for the butterflies!” - these are the moments that build a lifelong love of nature.
At Papilio, we bring this same magic into our everyday learning. Our educators encourage curiosity, respect for animals and the environment, and a sense of wonder through nature-inspired experiences and our sustainability program.
Ready to see nature learning in action?
Book a tour at your local Papilio Early Learning centre and see how we help little eco-champions grow!