Out & About FNS

Hey there, new faces 👋

As we emerge into August, we thought it was time for a little reintroduction for new friends and families.

I'm Arija Bunkis, the founder of Out & About. It's a place rooted in the belief that childhood is magic and play is powerful.

This all began during COVID, when screen time started taking over our lives. I knew in my heart that kids needed something more...they needed space to imagine, to explore, and to move their bodies freely.

🌿 So I started Out and About to bring children back outside: to choose play over screens, and to discover how much power they hold in their choices.

Over the years, one idea keeps coming back to me:

👉 The Power of Choice.

Not just choosing between two snacks or two games… but understanding the results of those choices. Not every consequence is bad... it’s just the natural outcome of a decision. And when we teach children this, we help build independence, self-awareness, and confidence.

✨ I’ve seen kids choose to give others space during stick play to stay safe.
✨ I’ve seen them rest when their bodies need a break.
✨ I’ve seen them express their feelings clearly and kindly.

This isn’t magic. It’s practice, consistency, and a whole lot of trust...trust in eachother, trust in my educators and grown ups, and trust in the children.

Our mission has evolved, but our core remains:

Play shapes us.
And we’re here to create the space, time, and support to let that happen, for both kids and grown-ups.

So whether you’re brand new, just curious, or have been with us from day one -
there is always a place for you here 💚

See you on the land soon 🌲

#OutAndAbout #NaturePlay #ChildLedLearning #ThePowerOfPlay #RewildChildhood #OutdoorEducation #RiskyPlay #SelfAutonomy #ParentingWithPurpose #PlayMatters #alternativeeducation #homeschool #unschooling #NatureSchool #ottawavalley