Roots at Awbury
Roots at Awbury
About
Roots at Awbury is free, open-ended play in a screen-free outdoor setting for children ages 4 and up. Based out of the Education Center at the Farm of Awbury Arboretum, our community gathers one to three days a week, Tuesday through Thursday, to play, explore, and grow together.
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At Roots, we believe learning is natural. It happens all the time — and children learn best when they make their own choices. Our facilitators hold space for children to play freely, follow their curiosity, and shape their own days. We intentionally cultivate a culture of respect and support, where community members reflect on their experiences by sharing their plans, discoveries, and stories with one another.
Anyone in our community can offer an activity or exploration — from building forts to nature walks to storytelling. Participation is always optional. The best offerings arise not from what adults think kids should be interested in, but from the real passions and needs of the group.
Roots is also about how we live together. We take care of ourselves and each other by talking through conflicts, practicing deep listening, and setting clear boundaries. We respect each other’s bodies, hearts, and minds, and we make consent a daily practice: stop means stop. Through honest conversations and creative problem-solving, we strengthen our relationships and our community.
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Why Families Choose Roots at Awbury
Families love Roots at Awbury for its screen-free, nature-rich setting where children can roam, play, and learn through discovery. It’s a place where kids build independence and confidence outdoors while being supported by caring facilitators and peers.
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Our Day
Kids arrive around 9AM, and are brought to the education center, where they can put down their things, dig into an activity, or start making plans with other kids. At about 9:30, we check in as a group, and see if there are any special plans or offerings anyone wants to share. We also might talk about things we want to try as a group that day to make the space even better. Then we go about our day and play. Kids move freely between our free range outdoor space, and our two indoor spaces, maybe eating or playing board games at the tables nearby, visiting with some of the cats who wander through, or creating make believe worlds in the woods- the possibilities are endless. At about 2:30, we take some time to straighten up the space, and share a bit about our day together, and then kids are picked up between 3 and 3:30.
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What to Bring and Wear
Bring your lunch and snacks, water bottle. Bring clothes that are appropriate for the weather, and maybe a change of clothes if you might need it. Layers and the right shoes go a long way.
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Values in Action
Roots at Awbury helps children build confidence and independence while deepening their relationship with the natural world. By giving space for curiosity and free play, we create the conditions for children to grow resilient, creative, and connected.