In A Nutshell: Summer Activity Guides
Events for kids AND adults, plus Nature Everywhere Day is June 1, 2025!
Hello there,
I have many things to share with you this month, but it’s been…busy. And I’m very tired. ;) So I’m giving myself some grace and will be releasing some more updates and reflections when time allows. Thanks for understanding!
For now, I’m excited to announce our June collaborations with Playful Acorns and two new guides for families with kiddos ages 0-5 AND for adults. :) Because kids can't have all the fun. Besides, we can get in a better headspace to parent when we carve out time just for ourselves.
Here’s a glance at our June events with Playful Acorns! Hope to see you there!
June 1: Nature Everywhere Day
I’m looking forward to partnering with Storytelling Naturalist Coral Conant Gilles, Ellen Sims with Healing Roots Collaborative, Christie Moser with Naturing in Madison, and Elizabeth Seeliger with Pufferfish Publications from 12-3 p.m. Sunday, June 1st at Hoyt Park! Bring a lunch, listen to stories, go on a plant walk, play, and create! Here’s a glimpse of other FREE events happening that day, too!
June 6: National Trails Day Play Cafe
Our friends at the Lussier Family Heritage Center in Madison are co-hosting the Lil’ Explorers Pop-Up Play Cafe event, and drop-ins are welcome if you haven’t registered in advance ($10/child ages 6 months-5 years). We are looking forward to welcoming you between 9-11 a.m. Friday, June 6th for the National Trails Day-themed program with coffee and snacks. Here’s a video of what Lil’ Explorers like Z have been enjoying during the adventure class series (you can sign up for summer sessions on Saturdays or Tuesdays here). Dress for the weather and know that there’s plenty of fun to be had inside the nature center, too!
June 9: Kindermusik Musical Playdate
My dear friends Angie Richter with The Wonder Studio and Amanda Marek with Active Youth Wisconsin (formerly Tri 4 Schools) are planning a fun, musical “Go Go Go” themed morning inside and outside of Seven Acre Dairy in Paoli. Register to join us from 9-10:30 a.m. Monday, June 9th ($23/family) for a morning of singing, movement, playing, and socializing. Dress for the weather when we head outside on the trails for some fun games after music, stories, and playtime!
Looking for more events? Try these resources:
And stay tuned for more email and social media updates soon!
Here’s the origin story of this monthly In A Nutshell e-leaflet, which highlights local events for families with young kids in the Madison, WI area, plus other community resources and my own musings as a toddler mom. Recently, I’ve added a second newsletter a month called On The Bookshelf, which is all about my children’s picture book journey and recommendations. Soon, I’ll be adding a third newsletter Through the Viewfinder (though probably not monthly) that will feature my digital nature photos, some of which will be turned into greeting cards available for purchase with a portion of proceeds donated to local environmental nonprofits. So, if you support nature, books, kids, and community, this Under the Drumlin Sun publication is probably the place for you! If at any time you want to change your subscription settings, you can learn how to do so here. Thanks for stopping by!
Spread the Word, Get a Free Gift!
1. Share this publication. When you use the referral link below, or the “Share” button on any post, you'll get credit for any new subscribers. Simply send the link in a text, email, or share it on social media with friends.
2. Earn benefits. When more friends use your referral link to subscribe, you’ll receive special benefits.
Get Nature Scavenger Hunt for 1 referrals
Get Witty Wildlife Greeting Card for 5 referrals
Get Signed Copy of Waverly Book for 10 referrals
* Please keep in mind that sharing the direct Canva links for the guides or the Google map link will not count toward these benefits because they can’t be tracked. Please refer the Substack publication so that friends can sign up for emails and stay in the loop. To learn more, check out Substack’s FAQ. Thank you for your help!
As always, thank you for being part of a community who shares 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.
As a reminder, you’re receiving this email from my new platform on Substack, which you can learn more about here. If you want to change your subscription settings and subscribe or unsubscribe from any of the newsletters, you can learn how to do so here.
