This week marked the halfway point between winter and spring, and we are inching closer to warmer weather and new Playful Acorns program offerings! We also are adding some other family-friendly events happening throughout Dane County to our calendar below that we thought email subscribers like you might enjoy! Plus, we want to know when it works best in YOUR schedule to pick our next play cafe dates with our special guests. Interested in nature-based pre-K options for your kiddo? Keep reading below!
Are you new to Playful Acorns? Welcome! You can read our story here and most recent posts here.
We’re looking forward to seeing you at these “winter fun” pop-up play spaces, collaborative offerings, and free community events! Unless otherwise noted, these are geared toward caregivers and kids ages 0-5. Registration is required in advance to book your spot! You can view the full schedule here.
*Lil’ Explorer Play Cafe dates (register in advance): February 9 and/or March 14
Lil’ Explorer Pop-Up Play Cafe
Feb. 9 (9-11 a.m. Friday):
Meet Lussier Family Heritage Center ambassador animals, have a blast in a laid back nature-themed play space, engage in sensory art and craft projects, and enjoy a morning coffee, tea, or snack with old and new friends for this Lil’ Explorer Pop-Up Play Cafe event! When you're recharged, wander outdoors to our Story Walk®, prairie, and nature play ground! ($10 for adult/child - Registration required).
Learn more and register for the 2/9 and/or 3/14 pop-up play cafe!
Mini & Me Yoga in Middleton
Feb. 15 and/or March 7* & April/May** (9-10 a.m. Thursdays):
Ease into your mornings with playful movement and stories during indoor yoga and mindfulness classes led by Dani with little om BIG OM. The next pop-up classes are Feb. 15th and March 7th at 6713 Frank Lloyd Wright Ave, Middleton ($16 or $25 total for more than one child per class). The four-week Spring Session at Lakeview Park starts in April ($60 for Middleton residents, $80 for non-residents).
*Winter Pop-Up Yoga Dates (register in advance): February 15 and/or March 7
**Spring Session Yoga Dates (register by March 28): April 4, April 18, May 9, & May 16
Learn more and register for 2/15, 3/7, and/or April/May yoga!
Winter Wonderland in Cross Plains
Feb. 20 (9:30-10:30 a.m. Tuesday):
This free event at The Creekside Scoop will feature an indoor storytime and wintry craft at 9:30 a.m. led by library staff, followed by a walk along the paved Ice Age Trail loop to read the StoryWalk® "Cozy" by Jan Brett and explore Zander Park! Recharge with drinks/snacks at Crossroads Coffeehouse. (RSVP recommended).
Learn more and RSVP for the free 2/20 craft, story, and walk!
Play Group* with 4-C in Verona
Feb. 29 (9:30-11 a.m. Thursday):
Make new connections and enjoy coffee while your kids (ages 0-5) play and have a snack at this free Leap Day play group at Verona Public Library’s meeting room in collaboration with Community Coordinated Child Care (4-C). Stick around to learn about local resources from Macaroni KID Madison, and explore the Prairie Tales outdoor story walk. (Registration required).
*Upcoming 4-C Play Group Dates (registration required): Feb. 29 in Verona, April 4 in Middleton and June 25 (TBD)
Learn more and register for the free 2/29 play group!
When should we hold our next cafe?
Between snow storms and illnesses, we unfortunately had to cancel our recent Pop-Up Play Cafe events in Verona and Cross Plains featuring special guests Mary Frost of Frost Organizing and Aaron Seligman, publisher of MacaroniKID Madison. What mornings (between 9-11 a.m.) work best for YOU to reschedule? If you complete the 3-question survey by February 14th, you’ll be entered to win a free play pass!
Take the Pop-Up Play Cafe Survey by 2/14
Videos of other WI nature preschools: Aldo Leopold & Schlitz Audubon
Interested in outdoor Pre-K?
As our family starts to explore local preschool options, I was made aware of an exciting opportunity that I wanted to share with all of you. New Morning Nursery School is exploring the idea of creating a MWF and/or TR nature-based preschool program for ages 2.5-4 if there is enough interest. To learn more, please email director Rebecca Anderson-Brown (preferably by 2/5).
Upcoming Community Events
As much as we’d love to hold Playful Acorns meet-ups every day of the week, that isn’t yet realistic as a growing business. Our hope is to start offering weekend programs very soon! In the meantime, there are several other local organizations holding awesome family-friendly events that might be of interest to you, too! Many of these events focus on nature exploration, free play, and process art. Remember to check out more events listed at Macaroni KID, local libraries, gyms, and more. Please confirm registration details, costs, and age ranges at the links below.
- Sunday, February 4th: Family Nature Walk, UW Arboretum
- Monday, February 5th: Lil’ Explorer Adventure, Lussier Family Heritage Center
- Thursday, February 8th: Perfectly Imperfect Parenting Workshop, Lioness Fitness
- Friday, February 9th: Lil’ Explorer Pop-Up Play Cafe, Lussier Family Heritage Center
- Saturday, February 10th: Art-ventures in Nature, Aldo Leopold Nature Center
- Monday, February 12th: Ice Cream Social and Coloring with Miss Mount Horeb, Icki Sticki
- Tuesday, February 13th: AnjiPlay Date, Lussier Community Education Center
- Thursday, February 15th: Mini & Me Yoga and Stories, Middleton
- Saturday, February 17th: StoryWalk® in the Snow, Viking County Park
- Sunday, February 18th: Family Nature Program: Extraordinary Evergreens, UW Arboretum
- Tuesday, February 20th: Winter Wonderland Craft & StoryWalk®, Creekside Scoop
- Tuesday, February 20th: Mini Explorer Hike, Jenni & Kyle Preserve
- Thursday, February 22nd: Toddler True Play, Neighborhood House Community Center
- Saturday, February 24th: Bird and Nature Adventures, Aldo Leopold Nature Center
- Monday, February 26th: Toddler Busy Town, Neighborhood House Community Center
- Tuesday, February 27th: CI Therapies Play Group, Forward Athletics
- Thursday, February 29th: Playful Acorns Play Group with 4-C, Verona Public Library
