Hi friends,

How are you? It seems there is no end to the onslaught of news that seeks to wear us down. Spending time with family, making deeper connections in my community, and getting outside to walk and breathe the crisp air are what I’m focusing on right now. One day, well…sometimes one minute…at a time. Remember, you are not alone.

I don’t have many words at this time to fully express how I’m feeling, but I wanted to share a poem called To Hell In A Handbasket by Jillian Stacia that resonated with many in my circle last week. These lines really stuck. Perhaps you can relate, too.

“But then my son touches my wrist, shows me a book, a rock, a sunrise. Nestles into the nape of my neck. And I am grateful for an existence apart from grief, a manhole for desperation...The little things that make up a life might just be the things to save it.” - Jillian Stacia

All that is to say, the world keeps spinning, and if grounding yourself in nature and in the simple moments with each other is something that we can look forward to…let’s do that. Let’s look out for one another. Let’s care for Mother Earth and all of her children. Sending love and hugs to you all. I hope to see you at some of our upcoming events — keep reading below!

I have also been trying to spend less time on social media and more time creating art and writing. That brings me to my next project and offering for you all. Although Z is not old enough for summer camps yet (most start at age 4 or 5), many of my friends are realizing that registration deadlines are upon us. I did some digging and created a Spring 2025 Nature Fun Guide for kids ages 0-5 and their caregivers as well as a collection of Summer 2025 Nature Camp Guides for kids of all ages. These resources are available just for you, our email subscribers, but I’d love if you could share this publication to spread and the word!

Music, Movement, and Story Events

This month we have some exciting music and yoga collaborations with our friends Kirsten of Lagom: Music and Yoga Education and Angie of The Wonder Studio presents Kindermusik! Depending on the weather, we can head outdoors to the adjacent park and trails for some play and exploration after our indoor music and movement classes and storytimes!

• 3:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11: Nature-Themed Yoga, Story, and Play with Lagom and Playful Acorns (register in advance), Badger Rock Neighborhood Center, Madison ($16/family). And save the date for our March 18th event.
• 9:30-10:45 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 27: It’s Music Day! Musical Playdate with The Wonder Studio and Playful Acorns (register in advance), Seven Acre Dairy, Paoli ($20/family). And save the date for our March 19th event.

Also, save the date for Friday, Feb. 28 for a potential Postcard Craft drop-in afternoon event where your kids can color on postcards and you can take some time to write to a friend, family member, or perhaps an elected official to share what’s important to you. I’m working on organizing this event with fellow mama and Playful Acorns pal Kaitlin Rohowetz, founder and owner of A Better Body Massage Therapy. Stay tuned!

Family Activity Map, Guides & Resources

I am so excited to share the release of the Family Activity Map (view Google map) and corresponding pdf guides (Winter 2025 Family Activity Guides and Winter 2025 Storytime Guides and Spring/Summer 2025 Nature Camp Guides) - an email subscriber exclusive)! These resources and many more are also featured on the new webpage I’ve created:

Please note that this map and corresponding guides are a work in progress, and you should always check with the event organizer on the linked websites or emails to make sure the details are accurate. I will continue to add information and photos, and new guides/layers when we change seasons (for example, I’m working on compiling a Kid-Friendly Cafe & Eateries Guide). Which reminds me to share: have you heard that our friend Katy who owns Crossroads Coffeehouse and The Creekside Scoop in Cross Plains has created a temporary play space — Crossroads Kids’ Corner — open until noon on weekends?! Amazing!

I can’t do this work alone! If you know of another resource, class, event, or update that we should consider featuring here, or you have feedback to share, please respond to this email or contact me at sam@playfulacorns.com. And, as always, I am only human, so mistakes happen. If you see one, please let me know right away so I can update the resources. Hope you enjoy!

Stay tuned for an upcoming On The Bookshelf newsletter around the next full moon, and another In A Nutshell e-leaflet later this month!

As always, thank you for continuing to be part of this community of caregivers who share this common thread:

At Playful Acorns, we value the following be(leafs):

• Nature benefits from diversity, and so does humanity.
• Children learn best through play.
• Everyone deserves to have fun and be respected.
• Life is a journey, and we are always growing.
• The world is a better place with you in it.

In gratitude,

- Sam

Are you new to Playful Acorns? Welcome! You can read our story here and most recent posts here.

Upcoming Community Events

With the release of the Family Activity Map, Activity Guides, Storytime Guides, Nature Camp Guides, and Resources page, these events will likely only show one-time events, weekly start dates for ongoing programs, or registration deadlines for other programs. Playful Acorns programs/those that Sam are involved in are bolded. Please confirm registration details, costs, and age ranges at the links below. Stay tuned for more events in the next email!

* Events for adults only that this audience might be interested in!

• Saturday, Feb. 1 and beyond: Storytime Yoga (Saturdays), Haumea, 908 Windsor St, Sun Prairie
• Saturday, Feb. 1 - Feb. 8: Wintering in the Park weekly series continues with Naturing in Madison starts (register in advance), Westmorland Park, Madison
• Saturday, Feb. 1: Flicker Sacred Circle and Wild Wander: Imbolc, Winterfell Acres, Brooklyn
• Saturday, Feb. 1: Farm Explorers: Winter Night Hike, Schumacher Farm Park, Waunakee
• Saturday, Feb. 1: Candlelight Night Hike & Scavenger Hunt, Governor Taylor Nature Park, Cottage Grove
• Sunday, Feb. 2-23: Seedlings Movement for Minis (weekly series), Challenge Fit Studio, Cross Plains
• Sunday, Feb. 2: Family Nature Walk, UW Arboretum, 2880 Longnecker Dr, Madison
• Monday, Feb. 3 - March 10: Music with Julie Mazer: Wintery Classics (weekly series continues, register in advance per class or series), Orchard Ridge UCC, 1501 Gilbert Rd, Madison
• Monday, Feb. 3 and beyond: Storytime Yoga (Mondays), Haumea, 908 Windsor St, Sun Prairie
• Tuesday, Feb. 4-18: Nature Playgroup (Tuesdays), Monona Public Library, 1000 Nichols Rd, Madison
• Tuesday, Feb. 4 - March 18: AnjiPlayDate (Tuesdays), Lussier Community Education Center, Madison
• Tuesday, Feb. 4 and beyond: Busy Town (Tuesdays), Neighborhood House Community Center, 29 S. Mills St, Madison
• Tuesday, Feb. 4 and beyond: Kids on the Farm (Tuesdays), Schumacher Farm Park, Waunakee
• Feb. 4-May 29 (closed March 24-28): Kindling Community Arts Tinkering Tots Art Play for ages 1-5+ with caregiver on Tuesdays/Thursdays, Eastmorland Community Center, Madison
• Wednesday, Feb. 5: MOMS Club Open House & Playdate, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 5701 Raymond Rd, Madison
• Wednesday, Feb. 5 - March 19: Baby Bugs (weekly, drop-in rate, register in advance), Aldo Leopold Nature Center, Monona
• Wednesday, Feb. 5: Co-Op Playgroups of Madison Open House, 725 Gilmore St, Madison
• Wednesday, Feb. 5: Family Art Making Studio (Wednesdays, register), Monroe Street Arts Center, Madison
• Thursday, Feb. 6 and beyond: True Play (Thursdays), Neighborhood House Community Center, 29 S. Mills St, Madison
• Thursday, Feb. 6 - March 20: Indoor Playground (Thursdays), MSCR East, 4620 Cottage Grove Rd, Madison
• Friday, Feb. 7: Our Backyard Playgroup, 9-11 a.m. two Fridays per month (email taneilb2@gmail.com for information), 6705 Wesner Ln, Verona
• Friday, Feb. 7: Koga Yoga, Pinney Library, Madison
• Friday, Feb. 7 - April 4: StoryTime with Ms. Heather (first Fridays), Lake Ridge Bank, Cottage Grove
• Friday, Feb. 7 - March 21: Indoor Playground (Fridays), MSCR West, 7333 W Towne Way, Madison
• Friday, Feb. 7 - May 2: Birth-to-Three Playgroup with CI Therapies (first Fridays), Middleton Public Library
• *Saturday, Feb. 8: Wild Women* Create (register in advance, optional event 2/7), TBD
• Saturday, Feb. 8: Madison Area Nature Playgroup, Olbrich Gardens, Madison
• Saturday, Feb. 8: Playgroup, University Houses Preschool, 6033 Odana Rd, Madison
• Saturday, Feb. 8 - March 10: Lil’ Explorer Adventure every other week series continues (register in advance), Lussier Family Heritage Center, Madison
• Monday, Feb. 10: Toddler Yoga with little om BIG OM, Oregon and Middleton libraries
• Tuesday, Feb. 11: Nature-Themed Yoga, Story, and Play (register in advance), Badger Rock Neighborhood Center, Madison
• Friday, Feb. 14 - April 18: Zumbini with Ms. Heather (third Fridays), Lake Ridge Bank, Cottage Grove
• Saturday, Feb. 15: Baby’s First Book Club, Mystery to Me, Madison
• Saturday, Feb. 15: Saturday Morning Community Art, Kindling Community Arts, 3565 Tulane Ave, Madison
• Saturday, Feb. 15: Ice Age Trail Tyke Hike, Gibraltar Rock Road Trailhead, Lodi
• Sunday, Feb. 16: The Wonder Studio Post-Valentine’s Day Mommy + Me Sweat and Swing, Madison Fitness Collective
• Sunday, Feb. 16: Family Nature Walk and Program: Winter Birds, UW Arboretum, 2880 Longnecker Dr, Madison
• Tuesday, Feb. 18: Open Play, 4-C, Madison
• Tuesday, Feb. 18: Family Open Studio (3rd Tuesday), Kindling Community Arts, Madison
• Friday, Feb. 21: Madison Area Nature Playgroup, Belleville Community Park
• Thursday, Feb. 27: It’s Music Day! Musical Playdate (register in advance), Seven Acre Dairy, Paoli
• Friday, Feb. 28: Our Backyard Playgroup, 9-11 a.m. two Fridays per month (email taneilb2@gmail.com for information), 6705 Wesner Ln, Verona
• Friday, Feb. 28: Postcard Craft Event (details coming soon 3-5 p.m.), Verona Public Library
• Friday, Feb. 28: Farm Explorers: Animals in Winter, Schumacher Farm Park, Waunakee