Hi Friends!
July was full of FUN nature exploration and outdoor play with Mo of Hike & Heal Wellness. Thank you to all of the families who joined us! Unfortunately we had to cancel our outdoor music class last week due to low enrollment — we hope to offer another class with our friend Julie Mazer in the future!
As we turn the page into August, we are looking forward to setting up our "Butterfly Child” StoryWalk at two afternoon events — save the dates for 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8th (Registration recommended for Town of Dunn Food Cart Night with Groundswell Conservancy) and 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13th (No registration needed for Belleville Farmers Market with live music and scavenger hunt)!
Speaking of books, thank you to the 14 people who filled out our survey by our midnight deadline last night! The winner of the signed copy of my new children’s picture book, “Waverly Braves the Breeze: The Story of a Galapagos Albatross,” will be notified soon! Although the giveaway is now over, we’d still encourage you to fill out the survey so we know how to shape our future offerings! One of the questions that had a lot of positive response was regarding the potential creation of a co-working/childcare co-op. If you’re interested in learning more, please email me at sam@playfulacorns.com.
I’m looking forward to sharing part of my story (and hear from other talented creators) during Musical Playtime: Local Authors Edition with Angie from The Wonder Studio on my birthday and the first anniversary of Playful Acorns: 10:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Aug. 28th! See more details and register below!
I am also gearing up to learn from some amazing speakers during the 2nd Annual Madison Area Green & Healthy Schools Summit at Lake View Elementary School in Madison on Aug. 7th and the 8th Annual Green & Healthy Schools Conference at UW-Milwaukee on Aug. 21st. Consider signing up to hear the latest on how time spent connecting with nature can help kids (and adults) grow!
Are you new to Playful Acorns? Welcome! You can read our story here and most recent posts here.
Now Open: Nature Play Registration
August 1 (noon Thursday): Our friends at Naturing in Madison and Aldo Leopold Nature Center are opening registration for their fall programs like Fall Together in the Park, Wonder Bugs, and Baby Bugs! Z and I tried some of these programs and really enjoy them! I think you might too!
Musical Playtime in Verona
August 28 (10:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday): Celebrate the first anniversary of Playful Acorns and my birthday! Join Angie with The Wonder Studio in Verona and three local authors, Samantha Cora (that’s my pen name), Elizabeth Seeliger, and Elizabeth Mary for a morning of stories, instrument exploration, dancing, and socializing! Geared to ages 0-7 and their caregivers ($20 per family, all profits go to charity, register).
Learn more and register for 8/28 Musical Playtime!
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 (where Parks Alive events are also listed), Friends of Urban Nature, Madison Parks, MSCR On the Move, Olbrich Gardens Story and Stroll, local libraries, gyms, and more. Please confirm registration details, costs, and age ranges at the links below. Stay tuned for more events to be added in the next email!
* Events with one asterisk are evening events
** Events with two asterisks are for adults only
- Friday, Aug. 2nd: National Coloring Book Day, 4-C, 5 Odana Ct, Madison
- Sunday, Aug. 4th: Family Nature Walk, UW Arboretum
- **Sunday, Aug. 4th: Crafting in the Wild, Hoyt Park
- Mondays all month: Lil’ Explorer Adventure, Lussier Family Heritage Center, Madison
- Tuesday, Aug. 6th: Learning Together Family Class: Plants, UW Arboretum
- Tuesday, Aug. 6th: Lil’ Explorer Bilingual Storytime, Lussier Family Heritage Center
- **Wednesday, Aug. 7th: Madison Area Green & Healthy Schools Summit, Lake View Elementary School, Madison
- Wednesday, Aug. 7th: Mindful Mama Mornings, 411 Prairie Heights Dr, Verona
- Wednesday, Aug. 7th: Fairy Fair at Farmers Market, Hometown Junction Park, Verona
- Thursday, Aug. 8th: Town of Dunn Food Cart Night, Oak Grove Farm, 4544 Dons Rd
- Tuesday, Aug. 13th: Lil’ Explorer Storytime: Discovery, Lussier Family Heritage Center
- Tuesday, Aug. 13th: Belleville Farmers Market, Park and Church Streets, Belleville
- Thursday, Aug. 15th: Pop-Up Summer Together in the Park, Tenney Park, Madison
- Friday, Aug. 16th: Madison Area Nature Playgroup, Pope Farm Conservancy, Verona
- Friday, Aug. 16th: Our Backyard Playgroup (9-11), Resurrection Lutheran Church, Madison
- *Friday, Aug. 16th: Dancing with the Arts, Century School Park, Verona
- Saturday, Aug. 17th: Ice Age Trail Tyke Hike, Twin Pines Trailhead, Lodi
- Saturday, Aug. 17th: Dig Into Reading Jamboree, Bruce Company, Middleton
- Sunday, Aug. 18th: Family Nature Program: Wonderful Water, UW Arboretum
- Tuesday, Aug. 20th: Open Play at 4-C, 5 Odana Ct, Madison
- Tuesday, Aug. 20th: Lil’ Explorer Bilingual Storytime, Lussier Family Heritage Center
- **Wednesday, Aug. 21st: Green & Healthy Schools Conference, UW-Milwaukee
- Sunday, Aug. 25th: Family Adventure Club with Hike & Heal Wellness, TBD
- Monday, Aug. 26th: Curious Critters Storytime, Governor Taylor Nature Park, Cottage Grove
- Wednesday, Aug. 28th: Musical Playtime with Authors, The Wonder Studio, Verona
