This week I’ve been attending the international Nature Everywhere Conference through the Children and Nature Network in Madison, and tomorrow (Saturday, June 1st) is the citywide Nature Everywhere Day — a free celebration of nature connection! With summer on the horizon, Playful Acorns is offering two other free collaborative events: an A.M. play group with 4-C (Thursday, June 6th with 1 spot left) and a P.M. outdoor potluck with Flicker and friends (Thursday, June 20th).
We hope you will also join us for a P.M. Snack & Chat with Frost Organizing (Thursday, June 6th), nature play series with Hike & Heal Wellness (Tuesday and/or Thursday mornings most of June/July — drop-ins available) and A.M. yoga and music with Lagom (Sunday, June 30th)! Keep reading below!
Are you new to Playful Acorns? Welcome! You can read our story here and most recent posts here.
See the full schedule of events around town and spend the afternoon at Olin Park, too!
Nature Everywhere Day in Madison
June 1 (Starting at 9 a.m. Saturday):
Join local organizations for FREE nature activities throughout the city. At Olin Park, Playful Acorns will partner with Madison OutGrown, Orchard Ridge UCC, and Sprig Native Plant Nursery to offer a nature wander at 9 a.m., meet a Monarch, get milkweed & make a seed ball at 10 a.m. “Butterfly Child” StoryWalk® is up from 9-12!
Learn more about the free 6/1 event; no RSVP required.
Snack & Chat in Middleton
June 6 (5-6 p.m. Thursday):
Order a snack from Miggy's Bakes and enjoy while learning tips from Mary Frost with Frost Organizing. You’ve got to check out how she transforms homes! We'll chat while our kids play with toys provided by Playful Acorns! ($10/family - Registration required).
Learn more and register for 6/6 Snack & Chat with Mary of Frost Organizing!
Learn about Mo and Hike & Heal Wellness!
Nature Play Series in Madison
June 11 - July 25 (9:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and/or Thursdays):
Join me and Moira of Hike & Heal Wellness this summer for a Parent-Child Nature Play Series on the west and east sides of Madison this summer (no classes July 2 and 4)! It’s going to be sweet, full of fun, and offer a dose of self-care for primary caregivers. (Prices vary per series or drop-in class; advance registration required).
Learn more and register for the summer nature play series
Summer Solstice in Mount Horeb
June 20 (5 p.m. Thursday):
Join Flicker Wild Church, Harmonious Journey, Playful Acorns and more for a free summer solstice gathering at Donald County Park in Mount Horeb! Come to Pop’s Knoll at 5 p.m. for a sacred circle, wild wander, and more followed by a potluck (bring a dish to pass) that is a celebration of summer and the earth in full bloom! Learn more!
Watch a video from Spring Equinox Flicker!
Save the date for the 6/20 gathering and potluck in Mount Horeb!
Family Yoga & Music in Fitchburg
June 30 (10-11 a.m. Sunday): Join us for a playful journey of yoga, music, and laughter with Ms. Kirsten of Lagom: Music and Yoga Education at Lioness Fitness in Fitchburg. No experience necessary! ($16 for adult/child duo or $25 for adult with more than one child/adult - Register)
Kirsten is also holding Lagom’s Sun and Moon Movement, Music, and Mindfulness Summer Camp at Haumea in Sun Prairie from June 10-14 from 9-11 a.m. for Pre-K through 2nd Graders. Registration ends 6/1!
Learn more and register for 6/30 yoga & music in Fitchburg!
Indoor Play Space Update
We’re making progress searching for an indoor meeting space close to parks and trails, and as email subscribers you’ll be the first to know about these exciting plans. If you haven’t done so already, please reply to this email (sam@playfulacorns.com) to be added to an email thread with more details about this and a potential membership model! Even better — if you have any ideas about a potential space, let me know.
Email me to be added to the update list
Upcoming Community Events
Playful Acorns programs are bolded. 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, true play, and process art. Remember to check out more events listed at Macaroni KID, NatureNet, Friends of Urban Nature, Madison Parks, local libraries, gyms, and more. Please confirm registration details, costs, and age ranges at the links below.
* Events with one asterisk are evening events
** Events with two asterisks are for adults only
- Saturday, June 1st: Free Nature Everywhere Day, Olin Park Playground, Madison
- Saturday June 1st and Sunday, June 2nd: Free Fun Weekend, Dane County Parks
- Sunday, June 2nd: Yoga & Music Plus Sensory Kit, Present Not Perfect, Lake Mills
- Sunday, June 2nd: Family Nature Walk, UW Aboretum, Madison
- **Sunday, June 2nd: Crafting in the Wild, Hoyt Park, Madison
- Monday, June 3rd: Lil’ Explorer Adventure, Lussier Family Heritage Center, Madison
- Wednesday, June 5th: First Class of Mindful Mama Mornings Series, Verona
- Thursday, June 6th: Free Play Group with 4-C, Oregon Public Library, Oregon (1 spot)
- *Thursday, June 6th: Snack & Chat with Frost Organizing, Miggy’s Bakes, Middleton
- Friday, June 7th: Little Sprouts: Outdoor Story & Stroll, Olbrich Botanical Gardens
- Saturday, June 8th: Madison Area Nature Playgroup, Jenni & Kyle Preserve, Madison
- Sunday, June 9th: Bird & Nature Adventures, Turville Point, Madison
- Monday, June 10th: Lil’ Explorer Adventure, Lussier Family Heritage Center, Madison
- *Monday, June 10th: Parks Alive, Allied Park, Madison
- Tuesday, June 11th: First Class of Weekly Nature Play Series, West Side Madison
- Tuesday, June 11th: Lil’ Explorer Storytime, Lussier Family Heritage Center, Madison
- *Tuesday, June 11th: Parks Alive, Aldo Leopold Park, Madison
- *Tuesday, June 11th: Mobile Madison, Elver Park, Madison
- *Wednesday, June 12th: Parks Alive, Meadowood Park, Madison
- Thursday, June 13th: First Class of Weekly Nature Play Series, East Side Madison
- Thursday, June 13th: Mini Explorer Hike, Lewis Nine Springs E-Way, Madison
- *Thursday, June 13th: Parks Alive, Penn Park, Madison
- *Thursday, June 13th: Mobile Madison, Brittingham Park, Madison
- Friday, June 14th: Little Sprouts: Outdoor Story & Stroll, Olbrich Botanical Gardens
- Saturday, June 15th: Ice Age Trail Tyke Hike, Lodi Valley Chapter
- Sunday, June 16th: Bring Your Pop to Pop’s Knoll Picnic, Donald Park, Mount Horeb
- Sunday, June 16th: Family Nature Program: Insects, UW Arboretum, Madison
- Monday, June 17th: Lil’ Explorer Adventure, Lussier Family Heritage Center, Madison
- *Monday, June 17th: Parks Alive, Elver Park, Madison
- Tuesday, June 18th: Nature Play Series, West Side Madison
- Tuesday, June 18th: Lil’ Explorer Storytime, Lussier Family Heritage Center, Madison
- *Tuesday, June 18th: Parks Alive, Worthington Park, Madison
- Thursday, June 20th: Nature Play Series, East Side Madison
- *Thursday, June 20th: Summer Solstice Gathering Potluck, Donald Park, Mount Horeb
- Friday, June 21st: Little Sprouts: Outdoor Story & Stroll, Olbrich Botanical Gardens
- Friday, June 21st: Make Music Madison, Various
- Sunday, June 23rd: Family Adventure Club, TBD
- *Sunday, June 23rd: Movie at The Glen Golf Park, Madison
- Monday, June 24th: Lil’ Explorer Adventure, Lussier Family Heritage Center, Madison
- *Monday, June 24th: Parks Alive, Allied Park, Madison
- Tuesday, June 25th: Nature Play Series, West Side Madison
- Tuesday, June 25th: Lil’ Explorer Storytime, Lussier Family Heritage Center, Madison
- *Tuesday, June 25th: Parks Alive, Aldo Leopold Park, Madison
- *Wednesday, June 26th: Parks Alive, Meadowood Park, Madison
- Thursday, June 27th: Nature Play Series, East Side Madison
- Friday, June 28th: Madison Area Nature Playgroup, Pheasant Branch, Middleton
- Friday, June 28th: Together in the Park Pop-Up, McGaw Park, Fitchburg
- Sunday, June 30th: “Moves & Tunes” Family Yoga and Music, Fitchburg
- Monday, July 1st: Lil’ Explorer Adventure, Lussier Family Heritage Center, Madison
- *Monday, July 1st: Parks Alive, Elver Park, Madison
