Feb 26, 2025
What
A weekly three-hour nature program for homeschoolers, designed to encourage free play, socialization, movement, and a deep connection with nature.
Where
Rumensee Park in Küsnacht ZH — a beautiful forested area perfect for exploration and outdoor learning.
When
When: Monday afternoons from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Who
A group of up to 20 homeschoolers, ages 6 to 11.
Two highly experienced educators with a passion for leading nature-based experiences for children.
Costs
Free
Apply
Photo: Kids today are more scheduled than ever but the forest gives them what they truly need: freedom, adventure and the chance to just be kids.
Why We Created Lumos Nature Day
Something has changed in childhood. Kids today aren’t as independent or confident as past generations, and mental health struggles like anxiety and depression are rising fast. While there’s no single cause, experts point to a major missing piece: free play.
Compared to the 1970s, kids today spend 50% less time engaged in unstructured outdoor activities (MIT). Psychologist Peter Gray puts it bluntly:
“The drive to play freely is a basic, biological drive. Lack of free play may not kill the physical body… but it kills the spirit and stunts mental growth.”
So why aren’t kids playing like they used to?
They’re too busy. Between long school days, homework, tutoring, and multiple extracurriculars, there’s just no time left for free, unstructured play.
Though homeschoolers are lucky to have less scheduled lives, the fact that other kids are busy means it’s harder to find kids in the neighborhood that are free to play.
Parents are becoming more cautious. Many parents fear letting children roam unsupervised, limiting the kind of independent, mixed-age play that previous generations enjoyed.
The problem? Free play isn’t just fun—it’s essential. It teaches kids how to:
Solve problems on their own
Negotiate and compromise
Take (healthy) risks
Manage emotions and conflicts
Build confidence and independence
And that’s exactly why we created Nature Day.
Every Monday afternoon, we bring a group of homeschoolers together at Rumensee Park in Küsnacht for three hours of real, unstructured play in nature. No screens, no worksheets—just space to explore, create, climb, build, and connect.
Sure, we offer a light structure to guide the day, but the heart of the program is about giving kids back their freedom. We want them to run, imagine, problem-solve, and just be kids—the way childhood was meant to be.
Photo: Elle (10) and Laurin (8) wandering through the woods lost in their own world of adventure and discovery.
What Does a Typical Lumos Nature Day Look Like?
Our Lumos Nature Day is all about freedom, exploration, and creativity—but there’s still a gentle rhythm to the afternoon.
At 1:00 PM, the kids meet at the Rumensee parking lot in Küsnacht. They often start with a group game or a running game on the grassy lawn, getting their energy flowing and setting the tone for an afternoon of adventure.
From there, they hike into one of their meeting areas in the forest. Once settled, we begin with a short "group grounding" circle and a brief group activity.
Then, the real magic begins: free play.
For the next 90 minutes or so, the kids follow their curiosity—making dams, building forts, playing imaginary games, or simply wandering and exploring. Sometimes, the kids dive right into something exciting. Other times, they feel bored—and we let them struggle through it because learning how to overcome boredom is a skill in itself. Disagreements happen, too, and while our teachers step in when truly necessary, we encourage kids to solve their own conflicts as much as possible.
At its core, Lumos Nature Day is child-led, open-ended, and as undirected as possible. It’s a place where kids learn, grow, and play on their own terms—just as childhood should be.
Photo: While balancing on a fallen log, a young Lumineer tests their coordination and confidence and turns the forest into the ultimate playground.
What are the benefits?
While free play is at the heart of Lumos Nature Day, it’s far from the only benefit. Other benefits include:
🌿 Movement: Time in nature is good for the body and mind. Kids get plenty of physical exercise as they run, climb, and explore. They breathe in fresh air, soak up sunlight, and experience the changing seasons firsthand.
💪 Confidence: They learn to take risks and build confidence. Whether it’s balancing on a fallen log, climbing a tree, or crossing a stream, they challenge themselves in new ways—developing resilience, coordination, and trust in their own abilities.
🌎 Connection to Nature: They gain a deeper appreciation for nature. Spending time outdoors fosters respect for the natural world—kids learn to notice small details, care for the environment, and develop a lifelong connection with nature.
🧑🤝🧑 Social Skills: They develop important social and emotional skills. In a mixed-age setting, kids learn to collaborate, navigate social dynamics, and resolve conflicts independently. With minimal adult intervention, they practice real-world problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills in a way that structured activities don’t always allow.
🎨 Creativity: They tap into creativity and imagination. Without the limitations of pre-planned activities, kids invent their own games, build structures, and explore the world around them in ways that spark creativity and curiosity.
Lumos Nature Day isn’t just about playing—it’s about growing, learning, and thriving in an environment where kids can be kids.
Photo: Curious hands discovering the hidden wonders of the forest one touch at a time.
Photo: A table full of treasures from the forest where curiosity leads and every mushroom tells a story.
What the Kids Say
The best way to understand the magic of Lumos Nature Day is to hear from the kids themselves!
"It’s the funnest day of the week. We have lots of freeplay and we do really cool activities. I love being with my friends"
— Nicolas, Lumineer (8)
"It teaches team work skills, working to solve problems, learn what risks are good to take and loving nature"
— Elle, Lumineer (10)
"I love the freeplay and the activities are super duper fun and because I love nature and being with my friends is the best!"
—Amelie, Lumineer (6)
Photo: Lumineer Amelie (6) proudly sharing her nature journal where every drawing captures a moment of discovery in the forest.
Why don't we charge for Nature day?
We, the Lumos founders, are in a fortunate position to be able to cover the full cost of our nature program ourselves. We have decided to offer our program for free so that it is affordable to all families. Though we reserve the right to ask families to pay something in future years, we would never ask families to pay more than they can afford.
Who created the Lumos’ nature day program?
You can learn more about the founders of the Lumos program here.
Who are the nature educators?
You can learn more about our nature day educators (Sonja and Kevin) here.
I’m Interested! How Can I Apply?
Great! To apply, please fill out our short application form here.
Since we have limited spots available, we may not be able to accommodate everyone. Our selection process considers factors like balancing ages and genders within the group to ensure the best experience for all participants.
We look forward to hearing from you!