With this week’s mild weather it doesn’t seem like winter officially begins next week, but there are several community events to mark the change of seasons that we’d like to share with you below! Stay tuned as we’ll be announcing our January schedule very soon!
Are you new to Playful Acorns? Welcome! You can read our story here and most recent posts here.
As many of you may know from our recent social media post, Playful Acorns is on hiatus from programs for the rest of 2023 while our family recovers from sickness and plans to enjoy the holiday and new year together. Thank you for understanding our recent cancelations. We hope you'll join us again in 2024 and beyond!
In the meantime, if you're looking for ways to spend time in nature to connect with family and community over the next week, here are some fun upcoming events from some other local organizations:
Winter Hike in Cottage Grove
Dec. 17 (Sunday from 1-3 p.m.): Welcoming a Winter Wonderland Hike with Dane County Parks: Take in the brisk winter air and explore McCarthy County Park, followed by a warm fire and s'mores. If snow conditions are ideal, snow shoes will be provided for ages 6 and up at no additional cost. ($10, Kids under 5 are free and do not need to register.)
Winter Story and Stroll in Madison
Dec. 17 (Sunday from 3-5 p.m.): Welcoming Winter with Naturing in Madison: Welcome winter together in nature connection and community at Hoyt Park. Keep warm around the fire, sip hot cocoa, walk the Solstice spiral and Story & Stroll, among other activities in partnership with Naturing in Madison, Outdoors We Learn, Mud Kitchen Mama, Outdoor Kids OT, and Playful Acorns. Bring along winter gear donations. (FREE, RSVP)
Nature Play on the Shortest Day
Dec. 21 (Thursday at 10 a.m.): Winter Solstice Pop Up with Dane County Forest Friends: Play and celebrate the shortest day of the year at Hoyt Park! The host will provide wood to make a fire, tea or hot cocoa to share, and "The Shortest Day" to read. Meet by the playground. (FREE, RSVP)
Winter Solstice in Mount Horeb
Dec. 21 (Thursday at 4 p.m.): Winter Solstice with Flicker (an Open and Affirming, queer & ally & queering pop-up wild church): Circle around a fire at Donald County Park to celebrate the rebirth of the sun and welcoming the light back during the darkest day of the year through words, silence, community, and communion with the more-than-human world. Bring a blanket or chair and beverage/snack. (Donations welcome)
Pop-Up Play Cafe Events
* Our winter 2024 program schedule is still in the works, but here are the first two Pop-Up Play Cafe events of the new year, both of which are held between 9-11 a.m.:
Wednesday, Jan. 10th at Rocket Velocafe in Verona featuring special guests Mary Frost of Frost Organizing and Aaron Seligman of Macaroni KID (book here)
Thursday, Jan. 11th at Lussier Family Heritage Center in Madison (book here)
