Willowdale is a women-led 501(c)(3) non-profit in Manchester, New Hampshire on a mission to create safe, inclusive spaces where children can connect with nature, build resilience and nurture their innate curiosity through PLAY.

All are welcome here

Willowdale was founded on the belief that exploring and playing in nature fosters resiliency, empathy, and problem-solving skills in the youngest of explorers. When we say all are welcome, we mean it. At Willowdale, we believe every child deserves the freedom to explore, learn, and thrive outdoors.

Just as every season brings new wonders, our mission continues to grow while nurturing safe, welcoming spaces where families can connect with nature and one another.

our story

"Willowdale has been so much more than a nature group for our family...it's been a true community. From the very beginning, I found a group of caregivers who share the same values I do: letting kids be kids, spending meaningful time outdoors and choosing connection over constant structure."
- Hannah, community member since 2022

get to know us

support our mission

Are you looking to make an impact in our community? Supporting Willowdale's initiatives is a valuable and rewarding opportunity to support the next generation of change makers.

class offerings

From nature-based play groups, mud makers to woodworking workshops, there's something for every family at Willowdale.

partner with us

We partner with local schools, non-profits and small businesses to offer a variety of experiences for all children to connect with nature.

We primarily connect on the land at Stark Park in Manchester and partner with families and organizations across the state to expand access to nature to as many learners as possible.

Every iteration of Willowdale has led to this moment.

Willowdale began as a personal need, a way to carry my grief with me while slowly shaping a different version of myself. Over time, it has grown with intention, guided by the needs and voices of the community we are building. This rebrand is a reflection of who we’ve become and where we’re headed.

We couldn’t have done it alone. Our friend @amsklad , who I met in September 2022, was the very first person to register for a season of Tinkergarten. She has witnessed every version of Willowdale and me since that time. From those early days, when I stood there singing about sparrows with shaky nerves, to the confidence that’s been built, piece by piece, alongside this community.

She’s the one who brought this rebrand to life, and I’m so grateful for her creativity, her vision, and the way she understands who Willowdale is at its core.

@amecreativenh you’re a genius and we love you 🫶🏼

STEM, art, recipe tinkering, taste testing, knife skills and fun 🤩

Willowdale will be at the @nhfishercats game Sunday, June 7th and we would love for you to join us for an afternoon of fun that’s sure to be as entertaining as this human right here 🥰😍

$5 from every ticket sale will be donated to Willowdale.

Meet you in the dug out ⚾️

https://www.gofevo.com/s/other/Willowdale2?purl=3a4321c1b45b

Playful winter session filled with problem solving, creativity and nurturing a love for nature 🫶🏼

Are you looking for a homeschool co-op that centers child- led play, nature-based enrichment and creativity?

Maybe you’re looking for a progressive, open and affirming space where your family feels welcome.

We hope our homeschool co-op is the space for you.

Join us on Thursday, April 30th for a gathering to meet some of the families who are currently registered for our upcoming homeschool co-op beginning this fall. We are so excited to connect with new and old friends and create a safe space for all learners to play and engage with nature and their peers.

DM us for the registration link or find it in our bio.

Sticks + and invitation that everyone is welcome. All you need for nature play ☀️

#nhlife #natureisourclassroom #explorersleadtheway
#progressiveoutdooreducators 🌈

Thank you for considering it!

Dm or email us at willowdalenh@gmail.com if you’re able to support in any way!

Instagram has been shady and hasn’t been allowing me to post anything unless I give the access to ALL my photos 🫠

So, here’s a photo drop of some exciting upcoming events and fundraisers we’re hosting before I limit their access again 😆

Register at the links in our bio 🫶🏼

Not live AND sideways video. #socialmediaexpert

Another fundraiser for another great cause!

We have partnered with Pastabilities for a “Fun Pasta Fundraiser” for the month of March to help us earn money for community projects we have planned at Willowdale NH! We receive up to 50% of the profits earned from purchases, they offer free shipping over $65.

This is our first “group” fundraiser, and we are so grateful for the families who are helping us reach out goal. You can support them at the links below:

Braley Link: https://funpastafundraising.com/2026-spring-willowdale/mae-braley

Willowdale Link: https://funpastafundraising.com/2026-spring-willowdale/stephanie-watson-yaeger

Wyman Link: https://funpastafundraising.com/2026-spring-willowdale/marissa-wyman

You’ll need dessert too, don’t forget your Girl Scout Cookies, HA! https://digitalcookie.girlscouts.org/scout/kimberly_kimmie_719349

Know anyone looking to sponsor a fun, community centered project?! We would be so grateful to connect 🥰

Winter is back my friends! Please don’t unfollow us 🤣

“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” - John Steinbeck

You can complain about the snow and cold but it’s not going anywhere; embrace it, like summer, it’s short lived.

Sharing some spring and summer sessions to register and look forward to! ❄️ ☀️

May you be fueled by coffee + cocoa (bake some cookies), stay safe and enjoy the snow when the wind calms down 💨

I’m not sure how it’s possible we’ve already shared 6 weeks of outdoor fun this winter but, here we are! We are grateful for tons of snow, decent temperatures and kind wind (for the most part.)

This week we shared a story about Greta Thunberg to inspire creativity and activism in our explorers. Each family decorated their own yard sign (thank you to @jaclynleefodor for donating the yard sign blanks!) using paint.

We chatted about what their sign represents and what they planned to write on them once dried; themes were centered around being kind to the creatures in our forests and not being a litter bug!

3 more weeks of winter play to be had with these explorers with endless opportunities to connect with nature and community 🫶🏼

Love potions in the woods today to celebrate love in all forms; family, friendship, community 🫶🏼🏳️‍🌈

#nhlife #natureisourclassroom #explorersleadtheway
#naturebasedplay progressiveoutdooreducators nurturenaturekids outdoorsall4 liberalhomeschoolers allarewelcomehere🌈

Today we explorerd friction and gravity in the best ways we know how, through play of course!

Inspired by Dr. Mae Jamison, the first African American Female to travel to space, we explored these two forces that, quite literally, keep us grounded!

Friends built snow luges fit for marbles, as well as the perfect trail for sledding. They got some true AIR out there!

SNOW much fun ❄️

#natureisourclassroom #allarewelcomehere🌈 #willowdalenh

Looking to connect with community partners and sponsors for our 5th annual Lantern Walk this upcoming November.

This is a beloved community event and we aim to honor its simplicity with an elevated experience to celebrate 5 years of nature play together!

If you’re interested in sponsoring, volunteering or donating a raffle basket, we would love to here from you. Scan the QR code to fill out the support proposal or visit the link in our bio!

#nhlife #willowdalenh #natureisourclassroom #meetusinthemud

The thing I love most about nature play is that it’s for every type of learner. Our invitations to play are very open-ended and we invite the explorer to engage with nature and their peers in their own way.

In the past, caregivers have expressed curiosity over their explorers ability, or “lack-of-interest,” in wanting to participate in the invitation of the week. This is usually followed up by them sharing that when at home, their explorers reenacted the invitation to play.

The observers are watching, and playing in their own way, taking in information and learning just the same.

Our sinking and floating activity from last week encouraged more opportunities for play in our own home this week 🫶🏼

Yesterday we gathered for our first Winter Mud Makers session! Invitations were simple: colorful water, buckets, frozen treasures and the curiosity of our explorers.

Snow fairies were made and slides for ladybug friends were constructed using snow + nature treasures.

Enjoy the snow today for “winter is not a season, it’s a celebration.” Anamika Mishra

#nhlife #natureisourclassroom #explorersleadtheway
#naturebasedplay #allarewelcomehere🌈

Let them be kids 🤍 ❄️

#willowdalenh #nhlife #nurturenaturekids #explorersleadtheway #allarewelcomehere🌈

Sometimes we over complicate nature play, any play, myself included. It’s winter, there’s 2 feet of snow at the park which is like, the height of our tiniest explorers. We bring our materials in and out of the park each time we host class; it can be a lot of heavy lifting.

Planning for our classes is thoughtful, flexible and in winter especially, we lean into what we can find in nature to spark creativity and play.

Tomorrow is day 1 of our Mud Makers winter session and our invitation is simple: how can we play today?

#meetusinthemud #willowdalenh #natureisourclassroom

This week we were inspired by Maria Beasley, inventor of the life raft and holder of 15+ patents. We explored sinking + floating with water… and realized on our walk that we could’ve done the exact same experiment in the snow. So we did.

Sometimes all it takes is a walk in the woods to remember: simple materials found in nature = maximum fun. 🤍❄️🌲

Upcoming opportunities to connect at Willowdale 🫶🏼

Willowdale classes started during a long season of grief + coming out of a pandemic (lol did we ever come out of it). Life felt fragile and motherhood, quite frankly, felt lonely.

I remember the long winter after my Mom died, I just kept saying to myself “things will get better when I can get Dad outside.” I never did get him outside and it took me over a year to realize it’s actually what I needed.

Not only did I come alive again outside, so did my kids. It gave us the freedom to play openly, feel grounded and connect with something much bigger than ourselves. And I’m not saying it cured grief or heartache, but it help me feel a little bit more sane again 🫠

Since then, our community has formed intentionally and slowly. It has become a place where like-minded families from different backgrounds and experiences meet in a grounding space where kids are trusted, grown-ups feel supported and where all feel welcome.

Willowdale exists because I needed it and if you’re reading this, you likely do too 🫶🏼

Our Mud Makers season begins this Friday and we have an exciting, grown-ups only event coming up!

Join us on 3/8 International Women’s Day, for a low-key trail walk. Some of the strongest, kindest women I know I met at Willowdale; it’s rare we get to slow down without young explorers to connect and just be in nature.

Let’s celebrate and honor women each day, but especially during this connection focused event.

Please know, we don’t normally limit events to certain groups of people; we appreciate you understanding that this event is for women only. You are invited to join us even if you don’t attend classes regularly.

Willowdale is LGBTQIA+ affirming and intentionally creates spaces that are inclusive, safe, and welcoming for women from all backgrounds. 🫶🏼🏳️‍🌈

It shouldn’t feel so bold and loud to write this, but it does.

If your family feels unsafe, let us be a safe space and let’s hope we lose any followers who support the people who are making you feel this way.

Let’s continue to raise our explorers to be confident, radicalized change-makers who lead with kindness and respect for all humans.

The saying “it’s never too late to change your mind” is quickly becoming untrue. It’s honestly getting too late to change your mind. NOW is the time to speak up and stand up for your neighbors.

Stop thinking of yourself and consider the impact it will have on your neighbors. You will save so many lives by being on the right side of history.

LAST few hours to pre-order Girl Scout cookies for girl delivery or shopping!

We are at 371 boxes 🎉

You can shop for yourself or donate at this link:

https://digitalcookie.girlscouts.org/scout/kimberly_kimmie_719349

Want to help us bring a Little Free Library to our forest classroom?!

This is a unique opportunity for explorers and their families to collaborate, design, build, decorate and install a Little Free Library at A Walk in the Woods.

Our LFL will be officially chartered and your contribution helps us purchases materials and offer your explorers the opportunity to explore woodworking.

We can’t wait to see you there! We are limiting this experience to 10 explorers to ensure a true collaborative effort.

Register at the link in bio 🫶🏼

#nhlife #natureisourclassroom #natureschoolnh

“There’s no such thing as bad weather.”

Unpopular opinion: there sure is.

There’s a lot of misconceptions around this statement and of course we understand the intention: if you pay attention to what the weather will bring and have the right gear, you can get outside in any climate.

It’s simply not true. 🫠 For example some of us are privileged to have the right gear to get outside in extreme cold but many families don’t have access to it. Even if we do we have to ask, is it worth it? Is it safe? The answer could be yes but sometimes its a definite “no.”

At Tinkergarten we used to say “sometimes the best part of going outside in winter is coming inside.” Today, and throughout the next week, we may experience several days like this. It’s okay to admit that. It doesn’t make us any less of a nature lover and there are so many ways we can connect with nature inside, too.

Cold isn’t the only reason we should play inside, what about extreme heat, tornadoes, or hurricanes?!

What kind of weather do you say “no thank you” to?

#natureisourclassroom #nhlife #nurturenaturekids

It feels extra important this year to take a moment to honor and celebrate a man who played a prominent role in advocating for equality and justice. A man who stewarded campaigns against segregation and gave a voice to all people.

Let us be inspired by Dr. King to be on the right side of history. Today, in NH and across the country, there are people committed to turning back the clock and un-doing the work he and others alongside him accomplished.

No one is perfect, right? We may not always say the “right thing,” and we will certainly always offend someone along the way. But we can commit to learning from our mistakes, teaching our kids the true history of the United States and moving forward TOGETHER. Speak up and speak out.

You are welcome here 🫶🏼

Willowdale is partnering with @thecupidproject this year to create Valentines Day cards using recycled and second hand materials for elderly residents in our community ❤️

If you’re not in our Wednesday class and would like to participate, the more cards the merrier! DM us for more details and we’ll coordinate a drop-off spot.

Thanks to our friend @brandympatterson for sharing this opportunity we us!

Week 2 of our Winter Willowdale Explorers Lab, we met our friend Marie Curie. Her experience as a chemist and physicist inspired us to practicing mixing and blending our own creations.

Explorers compared what happened when adding skittles to different liquids and even made their own “moon dough” using corn starch, lotion and food coloring.

Seriously all kids need to engage in curiosity like this is water + dirt and/or natures treasures; the other materials were a fun addition and offered to try something new!

We’ll be back next week for more fun!

#nhlife #natureclassnh

This winter we’re nurturing so many skills at @willowdalenh ; creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, persistence, empathy, imagination and…problem solving!

Each week we’ll be inspired to play by either a woman or group of Indigenous peoples who solved a problem. Anyone from a scientist or inventor to an activist.

This week we met a new friend, Nancy, who invented the hand-cranked ice cream maker in 1843. She revolutionized the way to make frozen desserts at home and sold the patent for $200 (a little over $7k today.)

She inspired us to explore melting and freezing by helping some frozen critters free from the freeze and of course, we made ice cream!

We didn’t have an ice cream maker and our ice cream wasn’t perfect, but each explorer persisted and problem solved in ther own ways to make their play time in nature fun today!

How many of us can say we’ve made ice cream in the woods?! 🙋🏻‍♀️

#nhlife #natureclassesnh #progressiveoutdooreducators

2025 was a year of growth, some failures and lots of fun!

We are grateful for what’s to come in 2026!

#nhlife #natureplaynh #natureisourclassroom

Winter has arrived and it’s so much easier to get outside with friends! We’ve added a few pop-ups to our calendar, join 1 or all, we can’t wait to meet you outside!

#nhlife #nurturenaturekids #natureplaynh

Willowdale is a nonprofit dedicated to nurturing connection between children and nature, families and community, and learning and play.

Through outdoor education and nature-based experiences, we support curiosity, confidence, and care for the natural world.

We believe access to nature is not a luxury, it’s essential.

All are welcome here.

#nhlife #natureisourclassroom #explorersleadtheway

In 2022, I saw a need for nature-based play opportunities in our community. Our family was traveling 45 minutes to an incredible program that aligned with our values and there was an opportunity to bring this type of class to Manchester. I said, “I could do that” with zero experience, threw the (little) extra energy I had at learning, and jumped in.

Coming out of a pandemic and navigating being a new mom to two kids under 2 while in the throes of grief, this “project” was the first thing I truly felt excited for in close to 2 years. What started as a small playgroup at our beloved first space @demersgardencenter has grown to a consistent community of families who value nature, play, and connection.

We are SO grateful to share that after a LONG wait, we received our 501(c)(3) determination letter and we are registered as a non-profit entity.

Our community was created for you and all are welcome here. We are just beginning.

With Gratitude,
Steph (she/her)

#natureisourclassroom #nhnonprofit

Today we honor the longest night of the year and the turning of the seasons. In nature, this is not a time to hustle but instead, an invitation to rest, reflect and celebrate but only if you want to.

The world feels loud right now. If you need a reminder, or permission, do less today. Nothing is required of you and if you haven’t bought the gift yet, you probably don’t need to.

For those carrying heaviness, or the ache of what’s missing, this season understands. Light returns tomorrow, slow and steady, a little at a time to give hope 🫶🏼

We hosted a sweet Woodland Holiday Tea Party this morning at the park. Explorers mixed their own tea using mint, lavender and cranberries then we ventured down to the gardens while it steeped.

Miss Naomi read us a story with a sweet message and we decorated gingerbread salt dough ornaments to bring home!

So proud of these little explorers; it was quite frigid again today and they persisted through every challenge 🫶🏼

#natureisourclassroom #explorersleadtheway #nhlife

It’s not winter yet, but yesterday sure felt like it! ❄️

Our explorers got creative during our first Nature-Made Gifts class, part of our homeschool enrichment series where younger siblings joined the fun, too. Kids were challenged to mix their own cement to craft unique gifts for loved ones. Some created bird feeders, bird baths, ornaments, and even heart-shaped designs.

They didn’t let the cold stop them, but it was super challenging to overcome.

Now comes the exciting part! We’ll wait and see how our creations turned out. Keeping process over product in mind, we’ll make sure every explorer has a special gift to bring home for their chosen loved ones!

#nhlife #natureisourclassroom #explorersleadtheway
naturebasedplay forestachool progressiveoutdooreducators nurturenaturekids outdoorsall4 liberalhomeschoolers allarewelcomehere🌈

We bundle up! 👏

We’re gearing up for a frigid afternoon outside. What do we wear?

Base layer
Insulating layer
Waterproof Layer
Hand warmers in wool mittens with a waterproof shell
Wool socks (sometimes a couple pairs)
Waterproof boots
Balaclavas
Hats
Hot cocoa, tea, coffee

Did we miss anything? Check out our 2025 Winter Gear guide on our blog linked in our bio for all the tips and recommendations!

#natureisourclassroom #explorersleadtheway #nurturenaturekids

Featuring scenes from our very different 2023 Celebrating with Nature sessions 🥹🫶🏼

Over the next three weeks, we’ll celebrate the joy of giving by creating for loved ones and spreading kindness throughout our community and neighborhoods.

This week, we’ll make a unique gift for a family member or friend using concrete that can live in their garden. We’ll work on this particular gift for the duration of this short season. Then we’ll decorate something we can use to wrap our creations.

Something we love about Willowdale is that we are all learners; there are no experts here. Grown-ups will be invited to channel their inner makers alongside their explorers and, while this is a guided activity with materials to inspire creativity, everyone is welcome to make whatever and however they like.

We have 2 spots left, come join us and make something special! Tuesdays for the next 3 weeks from 1:30-3. Link in bio to register or DM us and we’ll get it to you ❤️

#natureisourclassroom #nhlife #nurturenaturekids

Wander walk OR wonder walk 🫶🏼

Next time you’re out for a walk with your littles, invite curiosity to come along with a simple question:

“I wonder how many nests we can spot today?”

The leaves have fallen and nests are prominent features in their branches.

Take your time exploring, notice the details, and see where your questions lead. Who knows what discoveries await when we invite curiosity along for the walk?

#natureisourclassroom #outdoorsall4 #nhlife

More holiday magic! https://www.hisawyer.com/willowdale-nh/schedules/activity-set/1726891?day=2025-12-19&view=cal&source=camps

Giving Tuesday is TODAY!

As we step into this day of generosity and community, we’re celebrating the impact nature has had on so many of our little explorers and the beautiful community that makes Willowdale possible.

If Willowdale has touched your family, or someone you love, we’d be so grateful if you’d consider supporting our meaningful work today.

Every gift helps us create more opportunities for kids and families to explore, learn, play, and connect with nature right here in Manchester. We want families to know they don’t have to travel far to immerse in nature on a regular basis.

If you feel called to contribute, you can donate at the link in our bio by clicking “Help us Grow.”

Sharing this post with friends, family, and fellow nature lovers also makes a huge difference. Thank you for helping us grow our impact. #nurturenaturekids #natureisourclassroom #allarewelcomehere🌈

We hope families enjoyed a joyful day yesterday while also taking a moment to honor the presence, resilience, and ongoing contributions of Indigenous Peoples in our communities and in the places we call home.

🍁

#nhlife #natureisourclassroom #explorersleadtheway
naturebasedplay forestachool progressiveoutdooreducators nurturenaturekids outdoorsall4 liberalhomeschoolers allarewelcomehere🌈

Can you even with this holiday village created by our explorers and their grown-ups?!

Kids designed each piece from start to finish, first creating their design with cardboard. We helped them cut the pieces as close as possible to their original design, and kids worked with their grown-ups to connect everything using real tools along the way.

I’m pretty obsessed with how they all came together. We CANNOT wait to offer this experience again next year! 🎄🕎❄️

#nhlife #natureisourclassroom explorersleadtheway
naturebasedplay forestschool progressiveoutdooreducators nurturenaturekids outdoorsall4 liberalhomeschoolers allarewelcomehere🌈

We’ve preparing Willowdale for the upcoming Winter Explorers Lab. Our focus is on Problem Solving; each week we will be inspired by women and/or Indigenous Problem solvers from scientists and inventors to activists. I’m so excited to bring this season to life.

We appreciate you considering purchasing something to support our classes and know there’s a lot of donation requests flooding your newsfeed. It’s impossible to donate to every cause so if you could comment and share this post, that is JUST as appreciated!

You can find our wish list here linked in our bio!

#nhlife #natureisourclassroom #explorersleadtheway
#naturebasedplay #forestachool #progressiveoutdooreducators #nurturenaturekids #outdoorsall4 #liberalhomeschoolers #allarewelcomehere🌈

A preview of our holiday houses and some real life 😂

#nhlife #natureisourclassroom #explorersleadtheway
#naturebasedplay #forestachool #progressiveoutdooreducators #nurturenaturekids #outdoorsall4 #liberalhomeschoolers #allarewelcomehere🌈

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