At Tinkergarten, one of our favorite tools for learning and exploration is “forest putty.” What is forest putty you ask? Play dough you can (and do!) take outdoors!

Kids learn to identify the six basic human emotions and learn to read others' emotions by looking at their faces. How better to learn that than using nature treasures and mud and/or forest putty to create faces to show various emotions?

One of the most loved Tinkergarten activities of all time. Kids free their minds, hearts and creative energy as they free colors onto a giant canvas!

Huskies can teach kids a lot about persistence and grit. Enjoy these simple ways to pretend and play like these amazing creatures.

What’s a super fun way to spark kids’ love of nature and skills like creativity and empathy? Throw the Earth a birthday party!

Talking about kindness can help, but building a habit of doing “kindnesses” can build all three types of empathy. Try these simple ways to get started.

Leverage the universal power of potions and mixtures to help kids grow more aware of how emotions operate in themselves and others—a key component of empathy.

Making mixtures never gets old, and for good reason—it taps into universal play patterns and sparks all of our senses. Learn how to turn a jar, bowl or any container into serious learning.

Use a simple prop to open up the wide, wonderful world for discovery and awe!

It’s time to explore physics in playful ways! Use everyday objects to set up three simple scales, then invite kids to play, problem solve and discover complex concepts.

Help kids LOVE learning to problem solve and persist like one of nature’s most industrious birds—the woodpecker!