Tinkergarten offers a delightful, skill-boosting curriculum. Each season, we help children to develop one of 8 core skills—skills they need to become curious, capable learners who can contribute to their world.
Outdoors is the
classroom.
We have no walls. Creatures are our teachers, mud and sticks are our tools. Every lesson connects us to nature.
Open-ended,
Child Led
Kids learn best when they lead the way. We also help grownups support their child.
Irresistible Invitations To Play
Each lesson is engineered to engage kids in play that they simply can’t refuse!
Quick Deets
Designed for ages 1.5-8, all ages welcomed.
Caregiver attends with child.
John Stymelski Veteran’s Park
14407 Stark Rd, Livonia, MI 48154
Enroll by the season – scroll down for details.
See all group & class schedules here.
A typical class includes:
• Singing & animal movements
• Introduction to American Sign Language
• Guess & reveal our featured creature
• Collecting nature treasures to include in our activity
• A new invitation to play each week, based on the current season’s core skill
• Loving rituals to embrace each individual
• Support for parents in observing, co-playing and embracing their child’s natural learning style!
Summer Season – Communication
9 weekly sessions beginning early/mid July
The Gist
This Summer, we introduce a fun Camp Tinkergarten theme full of sweet activities and rituals that help bolster kids' communication skills—the symphony of smaller skills we activate to receive communication from others, process and express back out our ideas. Throughout the series, we'll learn how the Tinkergarten class rituals help kids strengthen kids' communication skills. We'll also practice active listening and non-verbal communication with our special summer "Camping With Our Friends" song.
Click here for more details about this season’s classes.
Click here to view the season map!
Spring Season – Empathy
9 weekly sessions
Tuesdays April 8th – June 3rd (NO CLASS April 15th)
This class will be prorated once the season begins.
Register in the next section below.
The Gist
This Spring, our curriculum will focus on empathy—the special human superpower that we use to understand our emotions and see the world through other people's eyes. Lessons are designed in three units to help kids recognize their own emotions, understand how other people feel, and take action to care for themselves and others. Read more about how kids develop empathy here.
Click here for more details about this season’s classes.
Click here to view the season map!
Register Here
Don’t see your preferred day/time? Request it!
Classes must meet minimum enrollment to run. Some seasons will only offer one class time, even if two are listed. Those first to register will help to determine which class will remain open for further enrollment. If you registered for a class that is closing, you will be notified via email and offered the opportunity to transfer to an available class.
Children must be from the same household to register together and receive the automatic sibling discount.
Scroll down for more info on what to expect and don’t forget to complete our required release of liability waiver!
Gift Cards!
Join a friend or grandchild at a Tinkergarten class, gift a chance for parents to get outside and play as a family or know that young ones are living their best lives outdoors with friends & caring leaders at a drop-off program. Let’s give kids a little adventure and ownership over their own healthy childhood again!
Give the gift of time spent outdoors in the most calming, yet stimulating classroom of all. Recipients can put your gift toward any class fee.
"Too often we give children answers to remember, rather than problems to solve." – Roger Lewin
"Too often we give children answers to remember, rather than problems to solve." – Roger Lewin
Tinkergarten Is Better With Friends!
When a friend signs up for a season of Tinkergarten classes you’ll receive a $25 refund on a current or future enrollment. Just let us know who you referred or have your friend mention you on their enrollment!
Friends who have not yet tried a Tinkergarten class can join one class for free! Just have them reach out to arrange their visit.
What To Expect When You Register
What to bring/wear:
• Each week, families should bring water bottles and seasonally appropriate layers.
• It’s a great idea to bring a blanket on which to sit, especially on wet or snowy days.
• That’s it!
Cancellations/missed classes:
• Credits and refunds are not offered for classes missed by families. If more than 2 sessions in one season need to be canceled by the leader without rescheduling, families are eligible for a refund for those canceled sessions.
• Decisions about whether it is safe to hold class are determined by the teacher using local weather guidance. The teacher will update families at least 90 minutes prior to class by email and/or text message. Whenever possible, the session will be rescheduled.
More info on your meeting spot and a preview of the learning to come will be sent before your season begins.
Click here to download our required release of liability waiver.
Please complete and return to us by email prior to class or in person at the start of class.
Questions? Check our FAQ page or contact us!
See you outside!