Little Roots 
Kids being kids in the forest.
A nature-based family class for curious little ones ages 1–3 in Snohomish County, WA.
Thursdays · 9:30–11:00 AM · McCollum Park, Everett, WA
New here? Try a session first. Book a $25 trial session (opens in new tab) and join us for one Thursday morning in the forest. If you enroll within two weeks, your $25 counts toward your registration fee.
What Is Little Roots?
Little Roots Forest School is a weekly outdoor class where toddlers and their grown-ups explore, play, and learn together in the forest. We meet Thursday mornings at McCollum Park in Everett, rain or shine, because some of our best days happen in the mud.
Every session follows a gentle rhythm - hands-on stations, snack, morning gathering, a nature walk, and a closing song. There are no worksheets, no screens, and no pressure. Just kids being kids in the woods, with adults who understand why that matters.
“Little Roots has been an opportunity to push my toddler out of their comfort zone and introduce them to nature in an age-appropriate, play-based environment. He has been able to explore art and sensory play, work on his fine and gross motor skills, and develop his confidence and I’ve been able to watch it all happen.”
What a Morning Looks Like
Times are approximate. We follow a rhythm, not a clock.
Arrival & Free Explore
Stations are already set up when you walk in. Your child can start exploring right away while everyone settles in. Glance at the station map while you pick up your name tag to see what we have out today.
Opening Circle
A quick five minutes together. We sing our welcome song with everyone’s names, say hello to each other, and give a short overview of the day. Then it’s right back to the discovery stations.
Discovery Stations
Around 10 stations set up to explore. Mud kitchen, water play, sensory bins, collaborative and individual art, small world animals, and more. Your child moves freely between them, no one tells them where to go or when to rotate. They lead, we follow.
Snack Time
Snack is family provided, so bring something from home. We keep a handwashing station with soap and offer hand sanitizer, so you can clean hands before snack.
Morning Gathering
Eating right into circle is totally fine, a snacking toddler is often a happy, settled one. We are already gathered from snack, so we start by singing Open, Shut Them, then settle in for our story, chosen short and rhythmic so young listeners stay engaged. The book and songs are picked around the day’s nature focus, so the theme keeps building right through circle. After the story we say good morning to Pip, our class chickadee finger puppet and a group favorite. Then a movement song or two to shake out the wiggles before we head for the trail.
Nature Walk
We head out on the forest loop at toddler pace, a short walk so little legs stay happy. We observe, wonder out loud, and let the children lead the way.
Closing Circle
We share a discovery, sing our closing song, and say goodbye to the forest together.
No experience needed. Just bring your boots.
Every family starts somewhere. We’ll meet you where you are.
Register for Little Roots