Rooted In Play Outdoor Learning

08/03/2025

✨💯

Do you agree? Connection with others is vital, but so is our connection to nature. (And who else got an extra twang in your heart when reading the name of the author?)

Her full quote reads:

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.” ― Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl

Whether or not you believe in God yourself, you can likely agree that nature does indeed bring solace.

07/28/2025

🍁 Gentle Play, Big Wonder!

This Fall, we slow down with our littlest explorers and tune into the rhythm of the season. In Nature Babies, we welcome babies (ages 6–18 months) and their caregivers into the natural world through gentle, sensory-rich play. Each week, we’ll explore the changing landscape—crunching leaves, feeling the breeze, splashing in puddles, and discovering cozy nooks to rest and connect.

Our Fall curriculum is thoughtfully designed to support early development, by building sensory confidence, body awareness, early language, and emotional connection—all through outdoor exploration and play!

CLASS OFFERINGS:
The season begins the first week of September, and ends the second week of October.

• Thursdays, 10:00-11:00 am (meets weekly)

👉 REGISTER TODAY at rootedinplaylearning.com/nature-babies. If you are in need of financial assistance, apply for a scholarship at rootedinplaylearning.com/scholarships

✨ What are you most excited to explore with your little one this fall?

07/23/2025

🌞 Hi, I’m Shannon—early childhood educator, nature play advocate, and founder of Rooted In Play Outdoor Learning. I lead nature-based education classes in the Salt Lake area, for babies (ages 6-18 months) and kids (ages 1.5-8 years), to help children and their grown-ups connect, play, learn and grow outside—all year round!

I believe puddles are meant to be jumped in, learning should be joyful, and every season has its own kind of magic ✨ I’m also a mama to one (very curious) explorer, and nothing makes me feel happier than seeing kids light up with wonder outdoors! 🌈

Want to learn more or join a class? I’d love to hear from you—send me a message anytime! 💌

See you outside 💚

07/22/2025

Get a Taste of the Wild Side—Join a Free Trial Class!

Curious about what Rooted In Play is all about? This August, I’m offering two free trial classes for new families to come experience the magic of outdoor play before our Fall season begins!

🍁 Tinkergarten Trial
For ages 1.5–8 years
🗓️ Sunday, August 10th at 10:00 AM

🍄 Nature Babies Trial
For ages 6–18 months
🗓️ Thursday, August 14th at 10:00 AM

Both classes are playful, nature-rich, and designed to help kids grow through joyful exploration. Come meet your teacher, make new friends, and see how powerful (and fun!) learning outdoors can be.

✨ These free trials are open exclusively to new, first-time families, and space is limited—be sure to grab your spot ASAP!

📍 Crestwood Park, Cottonwood Heights
🔗 Visit rootedinplaylearning.com to sign-up!

07/11/2025

🎨🌿 We wrapped up Summer Session 1 with a splash of creativity!

Our last Tinkergarten class of the first half of summer, was all about NATURE ART—using berries, beets, turmeric, and more to create masterpieces in the great outdoors. Explorers learned that creating art can be a wonderful way to express ourselves, and to communicate our feelings and appreciation for those that we love.💛🌼

🗓️ Summer Session 2 starts the third week of July, and spots are still available!
🎉 Save 30% when you register now—no code needed.

Come join the fun and finish out summer with meaningful, playful learning outside!

📍 Crestwood Park, Cottonwood Heights
👧🏽 Ages 1.5 to 8 | 🌦 All-weather | ⏱ 75 minutes

07/10/2025

Fall Curriculum Overview | Tinkergarten

This Fall, we focus on Wellness—that combination of physical, mental and emotional health kids need to thrive. Using the Tinkergarten curriculum, we’ll help kids develop language, strategies and habits that help build strong bodies, minds and hearts. As always creatures will be our teachers, and the magical, shifting autumn landscape will be our inspiration 🍂✨

All lessons follow a steady progression and are organized into three units:

🧘 Feeling Centered unit (weeks 1-3), we focus on the benefits of healthy time outdoors, connecting to the earth, moving our bodies, and learning a new mindful breathing technique each week.

🐿️ Taking Leaps unit (weeks 4-6), we explore risk taking, embracing change and learning to cope with both successes and challenges.

❤️ Strong Connections unit (weeks 7-8), rounds out the season, reminding us that our hearts are supported when we feel gratitude and strong connection to family, friends, community and our planet.

CLASS DAYS & TIMES:

The season begins the first week of September, and ends the fourth week of October.

• Wednesdays, 10:30-11:45 am (meets weekly)
• Wednesdays, 1:00-2:15 pm (meets weekly)
• Fridays, 10:30-11:45 am (meets weekly)
• Sundays, 10:00-11:15 am (meets 1x per month)

*In need of financial assistance? Apply for a scholarship at rootedinplaylearning.com/scholarships

07/10/2025

FALL ENROLLMENT IS OPEN! 🍂✨

Fall is one of my favorite times to learn and play outside, and enrollment is open for both Tinkergarten and Nature Babies!

🍁Tinkergarten is nature and play-based and enrichment program designed for kids ages 1.5–8. Each 75-minute class invites children to explore nature, build essential life skills, and connect through joyful, purposeful play. This fall, we will be focusing on WELLNESS—that combination of physical, mental and emotional health kids need to thrive.

🌱 Nature Babies is a gentle introduction to outdoor exploration for babies 6–18 months and their caregivers. Slow down, soak in the season, and build community while supporting your little explorer’s earliest development.

LET’S PLAY!
📍 Crestwood Park, Cottonwood Heights
🗓 Classes begin the first and second week of September
🔗 View available classes and learn more at www.rootedinplaylearning.com

💸 Save 10% with code FALL10 when you sign up by Tuesday, 7/15 *Class Packs excluded. Hurry though, spots are going quickly!

07/03/2025

💦 Our outdoor water park lesson was more than just splashy fun—it was a chance to practice powerful communication! From giggles and gestures to problem-solving and experimenting, kids shared ideas, worked together, and expressed feelings through joyful, water-filled play. 💛💧 Every splash told a story, one puddle at a time!

➡️ ☀️ Want to join the fun? Summer Session Two kicks off the fourth week of July, and I’d love to welcome you and your explorer(s)—sign up at rootedinplaylearning.com or the link in my bio!

06/23/2025

Summer Tinkergarten classes are now in session, and our first lesson was all about MUD! 🤎 🎉

For this lesson, we took inspiration from special recipe cards to explore and make different varieties of mud. Kids were encouraged to communicate their feelings and observations about each type of mud in multiple ways, by using facial expressions, body language, words, sounds and even American Sign Language!

Mud feels different to everyone—and that’s the magic. 🧠💬✨ Through play, kids can learn to communicate their needs, preferences, and boundaries.

It’s not too late to join us! NEXT UP: creating our own water park and how grown-ups can support meaningful conversation during play! 💦

06/23/2025

🌞✨ Summer Is Here! ✨🌞

Thank you to everyone who joined my Summer Solstice Celebration—we welcomed the longest day of the year with nature crowns, star poses, music, sun printing, sun tea, stories, wish making and so much joyful play. Your explorers truly lit up the park! 💛

🌿 Want to keep the nature play going?
Summer Tinkergarten classes are happening now, and there’s still time to join the fun! Our play invitations this season include nature art, water play, music, bug exploration and more. I’d love to have you there!

🍂 Fall enrollment opens July 8–make sure you’re subscribed to my email list so you don’t miss a thing!

06/17/2025

🌿✨ “To know the sense of wonder and humility…” 🌿✨

In a world that moves fast, nature invites us to slow down—to notice, to breathe, to wonder. These quiet moments outdoors help us remember all that is beautiful, grounding, and good. 💚

📖 Rachel Carson, The Sense of Wonder
📸 Rooted In Play Outdoor Learning

06/15/2025

Join Rooted In Play for a Summer Solstice Celebration! ✨🌞

Celebrate the longest day of the year with nature play, creativity, and community joy! We’ll be gathering at Crestwood Park for a magical morning filled with:

🌿 Nature Crown Making
🎨 Nature Art & Sun Printing
📚 Stories
🫖 Sun Tea
🎶 Music & Movement
💗 Connection & Celebration

📅 Saturday, June 21
🕙 10:00 AM | Crestwood Park
🌻 Free & Open to All!

Let’s welcome summer together under the sun 🌞
✨ Register and learn more at www.rootedinplaylearning.com/events