Fall 2024 Programs

12th ANNUAL LANTERN WALK
Free Community Event  
Sunday, November 3rd, 4:00pm

Join us for Tinkergarten’s 12th Annual Lantern Walk! 

Timed to coincide with the clock change, the annual Fall Lantern Walk is a magical tradition, designed to help kids and grown ups alike welcome the darkness of winter and embrace this natural change with joy. 

Bring your whole family, your friends, and your neighbors, too.  Families and individuals of all ages are welcome!

Please bring a battery-operated lantern or flashlight for each member of your group. (Especially the kids!)  We will have extra tea lights in case you need one for your lantern.

For tips to make your own Lantern, check out Tinkergarten's Lantern Making DIY activity.

Registration is requested for this free event.  Registered participants will receive a digital song card by email.   

BEN'S TRUCK TIME PLAYGROUP
Geared for ages 2-4 years along with a parent or caregiver,
but all truck-loving kids are welcome.  
Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30am
October 22, November 5, November 19 

Third-grader Ben, aficionado of all vehicles, will read a truck-themed picture book and share a few facts about the truck of the week, then the group will engage in toy truck free play.  Kay's son, Ben, has been in Tinkergarten for over 5 years, is an excellent reader, and loves to share his truck knowledge with other children.  

Ben's Truck Time is $5 per session for the first child, or $10 per family with two or more children.  The playgroup is held outside, and the kids will be playing in the dirt or snow.

TINKERGARTEN FOCUS SERIES
18 mos-6 years with caregiver, 10 weeks

Wednesdays, Sept 18-Nov 20, 10:30-11:30am

First Child: $200, Each Additional Sibling: $150

Pro-rated pricing is available for fewer sessions.
Our Fall pricing chart is listed on our Home page. 

Program requires a minimum enrollment of 5 children/class.


Tinkergarten Free Trial Classes:
Wednesday, October 2, 10:30-11:30am
Wednesday, October 9, 10:30-11:30am
New families may attend one session of a Tinkergarten season class
as a free trial.

This Fall, our Tinkergarten curriculum is designed to help kids hone their ability to Focus. In these one-hour weekly outdoor classes, we guide families through songs, movement, exploration, and purposeful play while kids develop the symphony of skills we use to direct, shift, and sustain our attention as we build our Focus. 

Throughout the Fall series, we’ll leverage the inherently captivating natural world to teach kids building blocks of Focus: how to feel grounded in the moment; how to zoom in and zoom out; how to wonder; and how to follow our interests.

In our first unit, Our Treasures, we zoom in on the natural treasures within our outdoor spaces. In the second unit, Our Spaces, we zoom out to notice what is happening and changing in our biomes — up, down and all around us. And in our final unit, Our Focus Tools, we zoom inwards on the tools within us that support our focus and playful learning. Throughout our series, we’ll focus on rituals that help us feel both grounded and open to discovery. 

TINKERING WITH NATURE
Ages 7-12, drop off class,* 

First Child: $200, Each Additional Sibling: $150

Program requires a minimum enrollment of 5 children/class.


Tinkering with Nature classes will return in our Winter season.

Tinkering with Nature is a Big Kid version of the Tinkergarten curriculum.  Class sessions incorporate scavenger hunts, code breaking, and teamwork challenges.  Each season, we use nature play to work on a different skill critical to our kids' learning and ongoing development. 

*Although Tinkering with Nature is a drop-off program, parents are welcome to stay and observe.  A limited number of parent volunteer spots may be available for adults who agree to stay and assist with the class.  Parent volunteers will be refunded $10 for each session they assist. 

Children who have been previously enrolled in a Tinkergarten season may join Tinkering with Nature at 6 years old.