Why TimberNook’s Blend of Nature, Play, and Creativity is Pure Magic
Words from an Art Therapist and Avon Hills Folk School Youth Programming Instructor
As we wrap up our summer of TimberNook outdoor play programming at the Avon Hills Folk School, I want to share what makes this youth program so special — and why I’m proud to be a part of the only organization offering TimberNook in the state of Minnesota.
What is TimberNook?
A quick internet search or click on the Folk School website will give you basic info about TimberNook, but here’s what I want to share: this isn’t your average outdoor program or charming summer camp. TimberNook is far more than that…it’s quietly transformative and deeply valuable. As a mother and art therapist who has worked in children’s clinical mental health for nearly 15 years, I find it nothing short of magical.
For most of human history, child development and growth happened via practical, real-world, experiential learning: exploring surroundings, helping with daily tasks, climbing trees, splashing in streams, playing with family and friends in nature. Peer play wasn’t scheduled, outdoor play wasn’t limited to 20 minutes a day, and nature immersion wasn’t relegated to a special week in the summer. It was all woven into daily life. Play is, and always has been, the work of childhood.
These timeless truths are at the heart of TimberNook’s philosophy, which often contrasts sharply with today’s more structured, screen-heavy childhood routines. Founded in 2010 by pediatric occupational therapist Angela Hanscom, TimberNook was created to address increasing sensory, attention, and motor challenges she and others are seeing in children. Her vision to provide kids with immersive, unstructured outdoor play has grown into an award-winning, internationally recognized program.
TimberNook at the Avon Hills Folk School
Our TimberNook program is set against the backdrop of the beautiful Avon Hills, surrounded by artisans and craftspeople, and steeped in the vibrant community traditions and history of the Schellinger family property. Here, we see children as capable and resourceful, and nature as a valued co-teacher; where every mud puddle, mossy log, and creek corner can become a self-directed classroom, art studio, laboratory, and playground.
At the Folk School, our approach to TimberNook centers on four simple yet profound guiding principles, identified by AHFS Executive Director Chris Schellinger. We offer:
1) unrestricted, 2) child-led, 3) free play, 4) in nature.
Any one of those experiences can be hard to come by for the average 21st-century kid, and we aim to provide all four simultaneously. These opportunities allow children to follow their own curiosity, take on physical and cognitive challenges, and engage new parts of their brains. This supports holistic development: from fine and gross motor coordination, attention, and sensory regulation to social skills, emotion regulation, and creativity.
From the Lens of an Art Therapist
As an art therapist, a foundational theme of my work with clients is the therapeutic value of creativity, self-expression, and healthy risk-taking. In addition, studies prove that regular access to nature boosts well-being, focus, problem-solving, and resilience in people of all ages. Taking creativity outside capitalizes on all of these benefits and can make the process feel calmer, more open, and the results better integrated. Especially with regard to children, nature offers a gentle, sensory-rich space for them to experiment, express themselves, make mistakes, and work through feelings. From a clinical perspective, my three favorite aspects of TimberNook align beautifully with the Avon Hills Folk School’s three tenets: discover, learn, and create.
Discover: Flow
TimberNook experiences allow for uninterrupted child-directed play, and this gift of time allows kids to immerse themselves in imaginary worlds, collaborate with peers, and discover new things at their own pace. I believe that it can take up to 45 minutes for children to enter a state of “flow,” which is a crucial ingredient in both creativity and authentic play. In this state, focus is intense and effortless, ideas unfold, and challenges are met with persistence. Flow is where some of the deepest learning, discovery, problem-solving, and creativity happen!
Learn: Social-emotional skills
For children, play is the very work of growing up. It’s how they manage feelings, test boundaries, and understand the world around and within them. In play, children practice distress tolerance and coping skills, and become better equipped to handle frustrations, ambiguity, and change. TimberNook’s mixed-age and mixed-gender group design enriches this further: younger children watch and learn, and older kids model leadership and empathy. Cooperation increases and conflict is resolved with little to no adult oversight, as grown-ups step back and tune in, acting as “lifeguards” rather than experts in charge.
Create: Loose parts
Last but not least, my most favorite aspect of TimberNook’s approach is the emphasis on curated loose parts, which are natural open-ended materials such as sticks, bricks, fabric, wood planks, tires, and logs. These easily become forts, fairy houses, obstacle courses, catapults, spontaneous sculptures, and so much more. Loose parts enrich play and spark creativity, encouraging problem-solving, flexibility, persistence, idea generation, and imaginative thinking. They also invite collaboration and teamwork, as children work together to bring their ideas to life, often creating something far more elaborate than any adult or curriculum could have planned.
In summary, when we offer children unrestricted, child-led, free play in nature, we’re nurturing their developmental skills, resilience, and boundless creativity. TimberNook is far more than simply playing outside…it’s about growing whole, grounded, and forever connected to the natural world.
Kristen Whitley, MPS, ATR
Youth Programming Instructor