Inspiring Families to Connect, Play & Explore in Nature

Evergreen Exploring

What started as a small, informal outdoor playgroup quickly blossomed into something far more meaningful – a place of connection, support and joy, not just for their children but for mums Natalie, Emily and Rosie too. As they watched their little ones thrive in nature and witnessed the power of outdoor play, they knew they had stumbled upon something special. Founded by three friends with a shared love for family, teaching and the great outdoors, Evergreen Exploring has grown into a thriving hub of nature-inspired activity packs, party kits and journaling tools designed to make outdoor play easy, accessible and deeply enriching. Rooted in real-life parenting, sleep-deprived adventures, and a belief that nature holds the answers to so much of what children (and parents) need, they are here to help families everywhere rediscover the magic waiting just outside their front door.

The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?

It all started with nine children, three mums, and a shared love for playing outside. Our time together – watching our kids connect with nature and each other – sparked something we couldn’t ignore. As our youngest approached school age this September, we realised that what had begun as a small, outdoor playgroup was becoming something bigger than any of us had imagined. The idea of letting it all end felt impossible. That’s when Emily suggested we could turn our passion into something lasting, and Evergreen Exploring was born.

Our journey began in 2019 when we noticed that a local park group for under-fives was closing down. Emily had the idea that we should step in and save it. Even with the challenges of sleep deprivation and juggling family life, we knew our love for the outdoors, our teaching experience, and our deep sense of community made us the perfect team for the job. Little did we know, a global pandemic was just around the corner, which would not only change the world but also strengthen our bond. During those strange, uncertain times, we continued to gather outside with our children, and we saw them flourish. As outdoor playgroups were among the only ones allowed to meet, we found ourselves playing a vital role in supporting other families too.

Fast forward six years, and our local group is still thriving – rain or shine! Watching families come together and witnessing the power of outdoor play in their lives fuelled our desire to share the experience more widely. That’s how Evergreen Exploring evolved into a hub for nature play ideas, party packs, and unique journaling guides – tools to help families record the precious moments they spend outdoors.

The launch: How did you start out in the beginning? 

In the early days, getting outside felt like a battle. Sleep deprivation, toddler tantrums, and navigating the day around naps and snacks were constant hurdles. But no matter the challenges, we all knew we needed to get outside with our little ones.

For Natalie, it was about alleviating the “mum guilt”. She found that leaving the house, even when too tired to plan anything, meant her children could benefit from playing with others, and that felt like a win. Emily, on the other hand, didn’t always find imaginative play easy. She realised that by engaging her kids in a structured outdoor activity, it would often spark their own play, and she didn’t need to feel guilty for not joining in. For Rosie, getting outside was a way to reset heightened emotions – whether her own or her children’s! Nature became her natural “battery charger” – a quick way to switch everyone off and on again.

What began as a way to make our own outdoor moments easier soon grew into something bigger. Running our local park group and organising activities for others became a natural extension of our desire to get outside with our toddlers. Reflecting on it now, we each had our own reasons for stepping outside in the first place, but we can all agree on one thing: it always makes you feel better.

What makes you unique?

Imagine this: every time you go outside with your child, you’re not just giving them fresh air and fun – you’re also helping them develop essential early skills. With over 20 years of combined teaching experience, six years of nature play specialism, and everything toddler tested (repeatedly!), we’ve designed activity packs that make it easier for busy, sleep-deprived parents to give their children meaningful, hands-on experiences.

Our packs are full of simple, fun activities that require little to no preparation. Whether you’re in your back garden, a local park, or on a family outing, we’ve done the hard work so you can focus on the joy of play.

To make those moments even more special, we include unique journaling guides – created by Rosie – to help you capture the memories and milestones as you go. Whether you’re enjoying a seasonal play pack with your little one or adding some extra fun to a playdate, we know you’ll love the connection it sparks with both each other and nature.

The same goes for our party packs – designed to make celebrations as fun and effortless as possible. The feedback we’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive, and we can’t wait for you to try it for yourself. After all, everything we share has been toddler tested. Why not see how much fun you can have?

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