Wildflowers: October 14, 2026
It was a chilly, grey autumn day, but the Wildflowers had plenty of ways to keep themselves busy, cozy, and entertained!
One of the girls arrived with a book called The Secret Signs of Nature, which we read together as everyone settled into their morning play. We learned about rainbows, full moons, and snow, following the girls' curiosity as we went.
A game of Grumpy Old Bear had some of us giggling away, while the other girls were busy caring for the little wooden peg people in our toy cottage. They gave their tiny friends acorn caps and tucked them into beds made from wooden blocks, complete with silk scarf blankets. Very thoughtful, considering how chilly these autumn nights have been getting!
Once we were ready, we bundled up and headed towards the Blackfriars Community Gardens. Along the way, we spotted a squirrel standing up on its hind legs at the end of the street. The girls also checked in on a pumpkin that someone threw off the bridge about three weeks ago. It's still there! I love how these little landmarks become part of our regular walks, giving the children something familiar to revisit and observe as the weeks go by.
Down at Shark Mouth Rock, we spotted three cormorants. We've been keeping an eye on these birds over the past few weeks, and it's always interesting to see how many are around. The girls also noticed just how cold, chilly, and grey the day was compared to some of our recent sunny autumn adventures.
At the gardens, we checked the Little Free Library and were excited to find some books to enjoy! We settled into the gazebo nearby for some reading, colouring, and a few rounds of Froggy Boogie, a memory game that had us putting our brains to work.
Back at Heron Tree Estates, the girls spent some time playing in the mud kitchen before deciding to create nature collages. It's always interesting to see how easily their play shifts from one idea to another, with new projects emerging as materials catch their attention.
After lunch, we introduced a slower, quieter part of our afternoon. The girls settled in to listen to The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton while choosing their own calm activities. Some coloured, others worked on puzzles, and some cut paper snowflakes.
There was something really lovely about watching everyone find their own way to enjoy this quiet time together. Nobody needed to be doing the same thing. They could listen to the story, keep their hands busy, or simply enjoy a little break from the busier parts of our day. Having opportunities to slow down and rest is just as important as having opportunities to run, climb, explore, and play.
Of course, we weren't finished with our outdoor adventures!
Back outside, the girls discovered some raspberries still growing on the bushes. They picked them and passed them around to share with one another. It's pretty special to still be enjoying little treats from the garden in the middle of October!
There was digging in the dig pit, a fire to help warm us up, and some very creative rope swing play. A couple of the girls figured out how to double up on the swing, which led to plenty of wild giggles. It was wonderful to see them experimenting together, figuring out how to make it work, and enjoying the silliness of it all.
We made some time for our nature journals before finishing the day with a trip to the park.
Looking back, I think what stands out most about today is the lovely balance the girls found between energetic, silly play and slower, quieter moments. From roaring laughter during games and rope swinging to carefully tucking little peg people into bed, sharing raspberries, and settling in with a story, there was room for all sorts of play today.
Thanks for another great day, Wildflowers!
