How it Works

Delightful,
Skill-Boosting Curriculum

Over the past decade, we’ve honed our unique approach to helping kids become healthy, curious, capable learners by exploring the outside 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.

Irresistible
invitations to play

Each lesson is engineered to engage kids in play that they simply can’t refuse!

Open-ended,
child-led

Kids learn best when they lead the way. We also help grownups support their child.

Learn a Skill,
Earn a Badge

Our curriculum is designed to help kids develop a life skill each season. When kids complete a class they earn a one-of-a-kind, iron-on skill badge.

Jump in any time with either an in-person or on-demand class and start collecting all 8 badges.

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Pick a Season and Start Tinkering

Explore what kids will learn in our current and upcoming season.

Fall

Wellness

This Fall, we focus on Wellness—that combination of physical and emotional health kids need to thrive. Our Body, Mind & Heart lessons will give kids chances to move their bodies, take risks, cultivate calm, connect with nature, and practice gratitude, joy and kindness.

Learn more
Download the Map
Winter

Problem Solving

This Winter, our curriculum turns the outdoors into a discovery lab that fosters kids’ problem-solving skills. Kids will wonder, observe, experiment, and work together—all while developing problem-solving mindsets and learning that it’s fun and healthy to get outdoors all 4!

Learn more
Download the Map

Two Ways to Tinkergarten

You can choose to experience our outdoor curriculum as live, weekly classes in your neighborhood, or as on-demand lessons you can watch and do anytime, anywhere. Either way, it's the same collection of seasonal, expert-led, irresistibly fun lessons!

$219

Tinkergarten In-Person Classes

9 local classes + the video collection for that season

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$49

Tinkergarten Anytime, Anywhere

9 on-demand video lessons for each season

Get Tinkergarten Anywhere

What's included?

9 live class sessions in a local greenspace

Small class size (up to 15 children)

Designed for Mixed Ages

9 on-demand videos to watch at your child's pace

Weekly activities and resources to keep kids learning

A seasonal map and 2022 iron-on badge

One-time price (1 season)

In Person Classes

Ages 1.5 - 8 years

$219 per child

Anywhere

Ages 2 - 8 years

$49 per family

Meet Some of Our Expert Leaders

Our expert Leaders are carefully vetted and equipped to bring memorable Tinkergarten experiences to families across all 50 states. Interested in becoming a Tinkergarten Leader? Learn more

Early education experience

Background check

Ongoing professional development

Christina Molinaro

Early Childhood & Elementary Educator

Flagstaff, AZ

Bernadette McGee

Clinical Professional Counselor

Richmond, VA

Stefanie Ikeda

Elementary School
Teacher

San Francisco, CA

Christina Molinaro

Early Childhood & Elementary Educator

Flagstaff, AZ

View Bio

Bernadette McGee

Clinical Professional Counselor

Richmond, VA

View Bio

Stefanie Ikeda

Elementary School
Teacher

San Francisco, CA

View Bio

What will your child learn at Tinkergarten? 

Tinkergarten equips kids aged 1.5 to 8 with valuable life skills that help them thrive. Kids earn badges when they complete core skills. Explore some of our skills:

Wellness

Wellness is the combination of physical and emotional health that kids need to thrive. Kids will move their bodies, cultivate calm and connect with nature—all tools to be and stay well.
In this series, kids will explore:
  • Focusing awareness on the present moment
  • Taking risks
  • Embracing change
  • Creating a sense of belonging
  • Practicing gratitude, kindness and joy

Sensory

Everything our kids learn is filtered through their senses, and each child has a unique sensory system. Our curriculum is designed to help each child strengthen and balance their senses in the great outdoors.
In this series, kids will explore:
  • Gathering information through our senses
  • Asking essential questions
  • Focusing attention
  • Fostering each sensory input
  • Activating multiple senses at once

Problem Solving

Playful problem solving now can help kids adjust to a changing environment, navigate key relationships, and contribute to their family, local and broader communities.
In this series, kids will explore:
  • Slowing down and observing
  • Using inquiry while playing
  • Letting explorers take the lead
  • Teaming up when struggles becomes frustrations
  • Enjoying the process of problem solving

Be Part of a Local and
National Community

I learned to be more patient and child led in my interactions. I have changed my perspective around how to initiate an idea and let the kids run with it.

Unknown 4

Absolutely LOVE Tinkergarden! I always thought I was doing enough "outdoor" activities with my daughter (2.5yo) but going to class has opened her (and myself) up to so much more! She's shown more respect for our earth too in such a short amount of time.

Unknown 1

I think the class style fits every personality. There is guidance but it does not feel pressured, children are able to do the activities but also explore on their own. This was great for my daughter because she is shy and also very independent.

Andreina

I’m giving my kids a group that they get to call their own. We can’t afford preschool so this is their group of peers. I value them being able to learn from the leader alongside their Tinkergarten classmates.

Unknown 6

It gives me and my child scheduled time to get away from everything except a pleasant learning, playful experience outdoors. I can see that it's what grounds my child each week, allowing her to process things much better and with a more patient attitude.

Unknown 3

We have enjoyed every minute. Each class I observed how engaged the girls were in the explorations and could tell that they were so immersed that they could've continued happily for much longer. I thank you for creating such a warm positive space for outdoor learning. It was a blast!

Anna

I learned how and when to step back and let my son be himself in certain situations. That was a lesson that I needed so much as a parent. The leader was able to communicate this in such a gentle and generalized way that I was able to step back and see myself. Not only was that a useful lesson, it was life changing.

Unknown 2

I would have never thought to set him up with all these activities. I’m so grateful for Tinkergarten. It keeps him busy for the whole day. I leave everything out to play at his leisure.

Paige

We learned another way to play with them, to approach nature, and to ask them things like "What do you think? What do you see?" Not so much telling them what they see and what they think.

Unknown 5

Tinkergarten has taught me so much more about the creativity I’ve lost as I’ve gotten older. I remember when I used to play in the mud and how much fun it was when I was a kid.

Melissa

Start Playing with Tinkergarten