SR 
Supporting children in learning through nature, play, and exploration
At a time when children are spending more and more time indoors and in front of screens, experts and international organizations continue to emphasize the importance of daily time spent in nature, physical activity, and free play for healthy child development. For this reason, the KidHub and Ekonaut are launching the campaign “Science That Grows – Outdoor Classrooms for Every Child”with the goal of transforming kindergarten and school playgrounds into spaces that inspire development, curiosity, and experiential learning.
Citizens, companies, and organizations are invited to support the creation of outdoor classrooms — environments where children aged 4 to 12 can develop attention, creativity, self-confidence, a connection with nature, and a love of learning through everyday experiences. Support for the implementation of the “Science Playground” educational program is possible through the Dobri Dabarcrowdfunding platform, with the goal of raising 1,600,000 RSD to carry out the educational program with educators and children, as well as to design and install playground elements in two kindergartens and two elementary schools. Donations are being collected from May 25 to July 20, 2026, while the program implementation is planned for October 2026.
“Science Playground” is an educational program conducted in outdoor classrooms and based on an innovative learning model that connects nature, science, and play in carefully designed school and kindergarten yards that encourage children’s development.
Through thoughtfully designed features such as garden beds, sensory pathways, birdhouses, insect hotels, willow structures, and biodiversity education installations, children are given space for everyday exploration, observation, planting, experimentation, and learning through experience.
The program is based on the “Little Green Fingers” methodology, which includes seminars for preschool teachers and elementary school educators, a practical teaching handbook, a collection of activities, and ongoing mentorship support. In this way, school and kindergarten playgrounds become living classrooms - spaces where children learn through movement, collaboration, exploration, and direct contact with nature.
The “Science Playground” program was piloted in 2025 through collaboration with children, preschool teachers, educators, students, and professionals in education, landscape architecture, and sustainable development. The first Science Playgrounds have already been implemented at four locations in kindergartens and schools across Belgrade, where playgrounds were transformed into spaces for exploration, play, and outdoor learning.
Through pilot activities, hundreds of children participated in planting, biodiversity observation, experiments, and practical workshops, while teachers and educators completed training for implementing the “Little Green Fingers” methodology in their everyday work with children.
The estimated amount needed for one Science Playground is approximately 400,000 RSD.
This amount includes:
- Training seminars for educators – preparation and implementation of practical and theoretical training for preschool and elementary school teachers
- Mentorship support – guidance and support for educators in planning and implementing activities with children within the Science Playground environment.
- Educational materials – preparation and printing of manuals, activity collections, and materials from the “Little Green Fingers” program
- Science kits for children – materials for experiments, planting, observing, measuring, documenting, and exploring nature
- Engagement of landscape architecture experts – planning and designing spaces that support play, exploration, and outdoor learning
- Production, procurement, and installation of playground elements – materials, transport, manufacturing, and installation of Science Playground features such as raised garden beds, sensory paths, birdhouses, insect hotels, willow structures, and the educational installation “Cubes of Knowledge”
Your donation supports much more than the redesign of a playground. It helps provide children with spaces where they can move, explore, collaborate, develop curiosity, and build a meaningful relationship with nature.
The campaign can be supported through the Dobri Dabar platform by entering any donation amount or choosing one of the available donation packages and perks.
Contact: naucnoigraliste@gmail.com
foto Nemanja Vojnović
