LIVEfor

06/08/2026

Every teacher needs to know these alternatives.

Kids thrive on movement and sensory input 🏃‍♀️🤸‍♂️ — it helps them learn, focus 🧠, and regulate behavior 💡. Recess is where those needs are met!

❌ Instead of taking recess away, try these creative alternatives:

1️⃣ 🚶 Walk laps with the teacher
2️⃣ 🧹 Pick up litter or wipe down slides
3️⃣ 🍂 Help in the garden—rake leaves or pull weeds
4️⃣ 🤸 Do 10 brain break activities (use our visual choice board!)
5️⃣ 🪑 Take on “helping jobs” with movement—stack chairs, sweep, deliver items
6️⃣ 🏈 Lose just one piece of playground equipment, not all recess
7️⃣ 📱 Take away screen time, not play time
8️⃣ 🎨 Add a “recess break space” with chalk paths for hopping/jumping
9️⃣ 🏆 Earn a recess reward—special games, toys, or bonus outdoor time
🔟 ⭐ Be the leader! Let them invent & lead a movement game

🌟 Want the free printable handout + supporting research?
👉 Drop a 👏🏼 in the comments and we’ll send it to you!

06/07/2026

Looking for a program that nurtures your child's curiosity, confidence, and love of the outdoors all year long?

At TimberNook Wild Ones, children spend their days exploring nature, creating imaginative adventures, building friendships, and learning through hands-on play in a rich outdoor environment. Every season brings new discoveries, challenges, and opportunities for growth.

And while your little one is busy learning, exploring, and making friends, parents can enjoy a little time for themselves. Relax with a cup of coffee, breathe in the fresh air, and take in the view of our beautiful play space as your child thrives in nature.

Wild Ones is more than a program—it's a community where children and families can slow down, connect, and enjoy the magic of outdoor play together.

Spaces are limited for our year-long program. We'd love to welcome your family!

https://timbernook.com/program/wild-ones-livefor-timbernook-9/

Mondays
9-1pm
5-12 years old
Sept 15-June 15
The Vines

06/07/2026

A Letter from a Toddler (and kids of all ages)

For tots (and all kids), play is a way to learn. If they could, they might describe what goes on in a good child care center (camp, school, home) this way:

You looked a little discouraged when the parents picked us up today, and that one parent said,
“Did they learn anything today or did they just play?”

I’m writing to cheer you up, and tell you that I’m learning lots because you helped me play.

Tonight my big sister said that she learned “the nines table.” I’m not sure what the “nines table” is,
but everyone seemed excited that she’d learned it. Unfortunately, I can’t talk enough to describe all that I learned today about how the world works.

I know that dumping out bins of toys, climbing, knocking over blocks and squashing bananas on my feeding tray doesn’t sound as mysterious as “the nines table”, but I’m sure grateful that you know how important these things are.

Thank goodness you know I have to play to learn.

Remember today how every time you’d kneel down and open up your arms, I’d run to you for a big hug? We were playing a game, and we’d both laugh—but just the act of running was learning for
me. I learn through my big muscles, you know. When I ran into your arms it made me feel loved and happy, and gave me a chance to practice the movements of using my arms and legs together.
It was fun. I wanted to do it over and over.

I’m glad you had time to play so that I could learn.

I’m glad you noticed today how much fun I had tapping things with the xylophone hammer. Remember? I tapped the xylophone for a while, then the table, then the floor, and lots of other
things. I discovered so many different sounds. Oh, by the way, sorry about Robby’s head. It sure scared me when he cried so loud.
Thanks for finding all those boxes and pans for me to tap.
Thanks to your helping me play, I’m learning that it’s good to be curious and explore.

I heard you say, “Tappers need things to tap!” You must believe that “Dumpers need things to dump” too, because you filled up that coffee can with clothespins over and over and let me dump it out as much as I wanted to. You realized that I wasn’t trying to make a mess when I dumped out the tubs of toys. I’m curious about how something can be full one minute and empty the next—and that I can make it happen. Dumping things out makes me feel big. After lots of play at dumping, I’ll want to try filling. It’s really the first step
towards being able to put things away neatly—when I’m older.

I get the feeling you think my play is pretty valuable.

My play is all my own ideas, you know. You must think that my ideas are pretty valuable, too. That must mean you value me! I’m important and what I learn is important—even if it isn’t “the nines table.”

Don’t be discouraged. You helped me play today. You gave me gifts of learning and self-esteem that no one can ever take away.

See you tomorrow! I can't wait to show you what I will learn then.
A Toddler in Child Care

06/06/2026

June 15 kicks off our first week of summer camp! If you are still looking to get your kids outside more this summer, weeks 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 still have registration spots open!

06/06/2026

Years old and more and more relevant with each passing year.

06/04/2026

"Letting children play outdoors, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, provides respite." -Angela Hanscom

06/03/2026

Interested in visiting The Vines and seeing what our host site has to offer? Curious about TimberNook, but you have more questions? Come out June 13th and meet Kathryn Kraft to get a glimpse into what summer camps will offer!

Our first show of the year is a Big One! Help us welcome Tae & The Neighborly on June 13th with our friends at The River Arts Center!!!

06/03/2026

06/02/2026

Get ready for your kids to be bored this summer AND let it happen!

Too much complaining? Check out our camps that still have a few spots left!

Live near Princeton? We still have pop up days available to register your kids!

They will work with friends and figure out how to conquer boredom.

https://timbernook.com/providers/livefor/

“Children need time to be bored. That is how creativity is born.” - Melanie Jean Juneau

In a world that rushes to fill every moment, boredom is often seen as something to fix.
But in the quiet spaces… something important happens.

A stick becomes a fishing pole.
A pile of pallets and planks are turned into a fort.
A wandering mind begins to wonder, imagine, and create.

When children are the time and space – they find purpose through play.