In A Nutshell: Why We Gather
Plus, a July 2025 calendar of family outdoor and nature events!
Hello dear ones,
Each day as humanity seems to plunge into greater uncertainty, I’m holding you and your families close to my heart. Whether or not we’ve met. Because you matter. We all matter.
Many of you who follow Playful Acorns have held or are currently holding growing bellies, newborn babies, toddlers, or kids of all ages. Some of you are still holding onto hope for a family of your own one day. Some of you know unimaginable loss. Even though our stories and experiences differ, we all share common ground having once been a child and having an inner child.
We know how important it is to be safe, fed, and housed — even if that hasn’t always been part of our individual stories. In addition to feeling seen, heard, understood, respected, and loved, that is a what I want for all children. And I think you do, too.
Children are our future, and the decisions we make (and don’t make) will impact them — and our planet — for generations to come.
This was a timely message from the “Nourishing Minds, Sustaining Futures Summit: Food, Nature, and Wellness for a Resilient World” that I attended at Madison East High School last week. I had the privilege of spending the day with over 100 local educators, parents, nature and food justice organizers, and community members for the third year in the row (the event was formerly called the Madison Area Green & Healthy Schools Summit: Embracing Nature Connection and Outdoor Learning For All). It’s also the second year that I’ve been a part of the planning team. Our group is now called ECO Madison (Every Child Outside) and is fiscally sponsored by the Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education.
This year’s summit was co-hosted with REAP Food Group and featured dozens of outstanding sessions and exhibitors from the Madison area and beyond, as well as locally made food. Making connections with and hearing from both new and familiar faces gave me a much-needed boost of optimism that there are many people around us trying to make the world a better and more inclusive place for our children.
I share all of this with you not only because I hope to see you at a future summit (we are considering opening up some sessions to kids with their caregivers next year), but also because we need to remind ourselves that we’re not alone in this work. Surrounding ourselves with people who share our values and being intentional about gathering together is so important, especially right now. And if we can get together outdoors in and with nature — seeing the beauty around us, breathing the air, hearing the birds, smelling the flowers, touching the ground and feeling connected to the earth — even better.
Playful Acorns has become more than just a creative outlet for me since I started this organization in 2023. It has become my lifeline through some of my darkest days in my postpartum mental and physical health journey, connecting me to other people who understand what it’s like to parent through the isolation and anxiety of a global pandemic. Through the unraveling of rights and funding meant to protect women, immigrants, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, low-income, and disabled communities. Through witnessing genocides, wars, and the unconscionable separation of families.
And, yes, the people I’ve met ever since I became a mom in 2021 have been with me through the brightest moments of parenthood, too. These words have been top of mind for me lately when life feels heavy. When I need to rally. When I remember that our children are always watching…
"Joy is an act of resistance." - from Toi Derricotte’s poem “The Telly Cycle.”
“This is our moment to declare what is obsolete, what can be reformed, and what must be reimagined … Revolutionary Love is the call of our times.” - from Valarie Kaur’s memoir “See No Stranger.”
“Cry. Shout. Protest. Resist. Collaborate. Create. Call. Write. Follow. Lead. Build.” - from
’s illustration @devthepineapple.
I am grateful for all of you. And I hope some of these resources and upcoming gatherings can introduce you to or further connect you with the Madison area community. You are not alone.
Here are some of the upcoming events that Z and I are planning to attend or programs that we have enjoyed in the past that are led by really swell people and organizations! More events are available in our summer guide above. Hope to see you sometime soon. :)
Musical Play & Obstacle Course!
My dear friends Angie with The Wonder Studio and Amanda with Active Youth Wisconsin (formerly Tri 4 Schools) are planning two more summer collaborations with me inside and outside of Seven Acre Dairy in Paoli. Join a morning of singing, movement, playing, and socializing. Dress for the weather when we head outside on the trails for some fun games and an obstacle course after the Kindermusik class, stories, and playtime! Advance registration required; space limited: $23/family, geared toward ages 0-5 and caregiver. Attendees get a discount code to use at the cafe!
July 11 (Friday 9-10:30 a.m.): Register for “Down on the Ground”
Aug. 9 (Wednesday 9-10:30 a.m.): Register for “Up in the Sky”
Outdoor Play, Music, and Movement
June 30, July 2, 7, 9 (9:30 a.m. to noon Mondays and/or Wednesdays): Caregiver-Child Nature Play Series with Moira from Hike & Heal Wellness for ages 0-5 with caregiver in her backyard and Madison east side parks; $25 per class. Check out this video to get a glimpse of all the fun!
July 1 through August (most Tuesdays 10 a.m. and Wednesdays 10:15 a.m.) Summer Yoga in the Park through Om with Mo at Hoyt Park (Tuesdays) and Rennebohm Park (Wednesdays); donation based.
July 1, Aug. 5 (10-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays): Learning Together with UW Arboretum for ages 3-5, younger siblings welcome. Themes are Animal Clues (7/1), Prairie Pals (8/5); $20 per family (up to 4 people) per class.
July 8, Aug. 5 (9 a.m. Tuesdays): Trail Tuesday with Leslie from LC Babywearing at UW-Madison Arboretum (7/8) and Cherokee Marsh - North (8/5); free.
July 8 - Aug. 12 (6-6:45 p.m. Tuesdays): Little Bugs Early Childhood Music Class with Danni at McKee Farms Park; $120/child for 6-week series or $23/child drop-in rate if space allows.
July 11, Aug. 15 (9:30-11:30 a.m. Fridays): Madison Area Nature Playgroup with Maggie and/or Sarah at Cherokee Marsh - North (7/11) and Pheasant Branch Conservancy (8/15); free.
July 13, Aug. 10 (10:30 a.m. to noon Sundays ): Kids on the Prairie at Holy Wisdom Monastery; free.
July 13 (Sunday 1-4 p.m.): Environmental Fun Fair at the Lussier Family Heritage Center; free.
July 15, Aug. 9 (9:30-11 a.m. Tuesday at Hoyt Park and Saturday at Westmorland Park): Summer Together in the Park with Christie from Naturing In Madison for ages 2-8 and caregiver(s); $22.50 per class.
July 15, 29, Aug. 12 (10-10:45 a.m. Tuesdays): Nature Playgroup at Monona Public Library; free.
Through Aug. 4 (9:30-10:15 a.m. Mondays): Summer music with Julie Mazer on the front lawn of Orchard Ridge UCC; $13.25 per child, if space allows.
Through Aug. 22 (9-10 a.m. select Tuesdays and Fridays): Little Sprouts: Story & Stroll at Olbrich Botanical Gardens for ages 2-5 and caregiver; $7-$9 per class.
Through Aug. 22 (9-11 a.m. Fridays): Nature Play in the Children’s Activity Area at the UW-Madison Arboretum with Amy from Dane County Forest Friends; free.
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!
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.
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I love that we were both at the Flicker Summer Solstice circle -- and I remember thinking how wonderful that it was an all ages space! I'd recognize that photo of the apple tree and trail in a heartbeat. Glad you're here!