ParkLife education

ParkLife education programmes

ParkLife is an education programme to encourage children and their families to get outdoors and explore our parks.

It’s a great way for children to:

• care for their local park
• learn about park wildlife such as hedgehogs, bees and squirrels
• meet new friends
• interact with other children
• play and exercise
• enjoy the fresh air
• become self reliant

The main elements for ParkLife involve school visits, Saturday clubs and community groups.

The programme has been running from 2007 and has been evaluated by Queen’s University Belfast as a positive learning experience for children.

ParkLife for schools

We work with schools to offer children seasonal-themed visits and learning about:

• animal and bird survival
• how trees change with the seasons
• minibeasts and how to find them
• history and heritage in our parks

Learning outside the classroom can help to raise standards and can improve students’ personal and social development. Every element of the ParkLife programme is closely linked to the curriculum.

The programme is delivered to Key Stage two children in 12 schools across the city.  Each school has five visits throughout the school year. Three visits are to a local park.

• The ParkLife education programme is fully booked.

If your school is not already involved in the programme, ti register your interest, email parklife@belfastcity.gov.uk

Resources

We have developed seasonal educational resources and activities for individuals or groups. For a range of resources, email parklife@belfastcity.gov.uk.

Saturday Clubs

The themes and activities for each month change and the activities include games, crafts, walks, mini beast hunts, bird identification and scavenging hunts.

Children of all ages can join a Saturday Club. Children under seven must be accompanied by an adult.
We run four free Saturday clubs.

Find out more about ParkLife Saturday clubs

ParkLife for community groups

ParkLife is available to people of all ages. If your community group or charity are interested in having an environmental themed session in one of our parks, to register your interest email parklife@belfastcity.gov.uk