Veggie Scrubbers, cake testers, pottery brushes, oh my! Let’s gather for a short class, and create small tools for your personal practice – whether that is in the kitchen, studio, or garden. Come with ideas, and we’ll brainstorm construction methods. Keep in mind; broomcorn is a natural material and shouldn’t be exposed to prolonged periods of moisture.

Please note: Broom making also requires a fair amount of upper body strength. If you have any concerns, please contact the instructor prior to class.

Let’s get creative! Learn how to make the traditional hawk tail whisk broom pattern with your own personal touch. These small hand-held brooms have a symmetrical splay, representing the iconic broom shape most people envision. In addition to working with natural broomcorn, we will explore texture and material as we weave handles with treasured items from home. Bring any material that you may want to incorporate into your handle: precious fabric scraps, felt, fresh/pliable birch bark, braided grass, magazine scraps, leather strips, etc. Make sure that your material is at least 4 inches long (or more for a longer handle) and can cover a diameter of 1.5 inches. Bring enough extra material to experiment, practice, and share! Everyone will leave with a broom reflecting their own unique style.

Please note: Broom making does require a fair amount of upper body strength. If you have any concerns, please contact the instructor prior to class.

Ages: 18 Months - 4 Years

Create lasting memories together at our enchanting, imaginary 'Stuffie Slumber Party'! This isn't just for the little ones—it's a shared adventure for you, your tiny explorer, and their beloved stuffed animal. Join us for a day of imaginative play in the heart of the forest, where you can build forts, discover nature trails, and watch your child's creativity bloom. While you and your child dive into hands-on activities, their cuddly companions will be having their own whimsical daytime escapade, complete with pretend slumber party fun. This unique TimberNook experience fosters a deeper connection between parent and child, sparking imagination and a lifelong love for the outdoors. Share the joy of our 'Stuffie Slumber Party' and create treasured moments together. Spaces are limited, so secure your spot for this special experience today!"

August 13, 2025

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Restore your worn fabrics, connect with your community, and contribute to a sustainable future. Stop by our mending circle!

Do I need experience? 

No experience necessary, if you have zero experience and zero idea what to bring other than your holey garment, please show up and we can point you in the right direction.

What will be at the circle?

Tea will be provided. You'll also be able to pilfer supporting supplies from the communal mending kit.

What should I bring?

Bring things to mend, your half finished knits and any hand projects, fiber or otherwise, you want to spend time with. Basic mending tools include needles, thread, and small scissors.

If you want to mend jeans, please bring some extra denim to patch, and some light blue cotton (unless you want to visibly mend, then whatever colour you wish!) 

If you want to learn to darn, bring jar lids, rubber bands, wool needles, and wool to match.

This event is for adults 18+, or youth 14+ with accompanying adult.

Please register so we can be sure to have enough space in the workshop!

Ages: 4-7 Years

Embark on a journey to the frontier with TimberNook's Little Wild Ones: Log Cabin experience! Inspired by the classic tale of Little House on the Prairie, this adventure invites children to step into the role of pioneers, building their very own log cabins and sharing a meal around a campfire.

Using natural materials and their imaginations, children will design and construct their own unique log cabin, learning about the challenges and ingenuity of early settlers. They'll gather around a campfire, sharing stories and enjoying a meal cooked over the flames, just like the Ingalls family.

This immersive experience fosters teamwork, problem-solving, and a deeper appreciation for the past. It's a chance for children to step back in time and discover the resilience and resourcefulness of those who came before them.

Join us for this program on nature sketchbooks with a focus on the beauty you can find exploring the trails and woods. We’ll discuss tips for photographing what you find with phone cameras, see how many different leaves, flowers and insects you can find, then we’ll gather back together for drawing and writing. Bring your own blank sketchbook. Colored pencils, pens and watercolor paints will be available.

In this class you will:

• Learn about the mental-health benefits of nature journaling.

• Get photography tips.

• Find out what basic tools and art supplies to use.

• Work with light pencil sketches, ink outlines, and colored pencils and blenders to finish your illustrations.

• Get tips on what to write, what kind of field notes to take, and how to creatively blend words with pictures.

• Leave with handouts and ideas for layouts and advice for continuing with a year-long nature sketchbook that celebrates Minnesota’s flora and fauna throughout the micro-seasons.

9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Ages: 18 Months - 4 Years

"Quack, quack!" Join us for a TimberNook adventure designed just for the littlest ducklings.

Embark on a journey of discovery with your tiny one, exploring the sights, sounds, and textures of the forest. Engage in imaginative play, splash in puddles together, listen to nature's symphony, and uncover a world of wonder together. This is a chance for both of you to connect with nature and build fantastic memories. With countless opportunities for play and exploration, every moment in the forest is a new adventure. Limited spots available, so sign up your duckling today!

Nature Reconnection

This workshop explores how we can deepen our relationship to nature through an embodiment lens—that is, by paying close attention to our felt experience in the body. 

Rather than just thinking about nature, we’ll focus on how we feel in nature: the sensations, emotions, and subtle shifts that arise when we slow down and tune in. 

Through movement, breath, and stillness, we’ll explore what it means to relate to the natural world not just with our minds, but with our whole selves.

Ages: 4-7 Years

Hey builders and storytellers! Get ready to dive into the world of "Little Red Fort" with TimberNook! We're going to bring the story to life, and YOU get to decide how!

You'll have the opportunity to create your own "little red forts" in the woods, using real tools and your imagination! Maybe you'll build something tall and strong, or maybe a cozy hideaway. Maybe we'll even make up new adventures for Little Red Fort and her friends!

We'll let our imaginations run wild and see where the story takes us. We'll have tools, materials, and plenty of space to create, explore, and play. Let's see what amazing stories we can build together at TimberNook!

Ages: 7-12 Years

Ever had an idea so amazing you just had to build it? At TimberNook's Woodland Workshop, you'll get to do just that! Inspired by "The Most Magnificent Thing," we're diving into the world of tinkering and creating.

The book is about a girl who wouldn't give up? That's the spirit we're bringing to the woods! You'll have the chance to tinker, design, and build whatever your imagination dreams up. Maybe it's a machine that does something amazing, or a contraption that solves a woodland problem. Just like the girl in the story, you might face challenges, but that's where the fun begins!

We'll have tools, materials, and the whole woods as our workshop. This is your chance to experiment, problem-solve, and discover the joy of bringing your ideas to life. Come see what magnificent things you can create at TimberNook!

In this class you will learn about the wonderful world of wild mushrooms and how to safely forage for them. Your instructor will be going through a presentation that talks about basic mushroom information, how to identify mushrooms, how to safely forage for mushrooms, talk about common edible and toxic mushrooms you should know about, and how to best continue learning about mushrooms. Throughout this presentation, you will also have opportunity to handle some of the mushrooms you are learning about as well

Wild mushrooms are incredibly fascinating and often misunderstood. After taking this class, you will understand these organisms a bit better and leave with the confidence to forage for your own wild mushrooms! Food seems to be much tastier when it’s as fresh as possible and you know where it comes from!

After the morning learning session, we’ll have a lunch break and share a meal, then we will head for the woods and forage!

August 2, 2025

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Ready to transform raw metal into unique, wearable art? This dynamic, beginner-friendly course dives into the essential techniques of metal fabrication, including cutting, shaping, joining (soldering), and finishing. We'll focus on the versatile world of non-ferrous metals, such as copper, while providing you with skills applicable to brass, silver, and gold. 

Get ready for hands-on creation! You'll have the exciting opportunity to design and craft a bracelet, a classic penannular brooch, personalized rings, and more. Unleash your creativity and gain a solid foundation in the captivating craft of metal jewelry making.

We provide all necessary tools and equipment for your learning experience, allowing you to dive right into the creative process. For those who wish to continue their metalworking journey, we'll share information on easily obtainable tools (many found at a hardware store) and suppliers.

Good vision is helpful, so please bring reading glasses or magnification if needed. Earplugs will be provided, but you may prefer to bring your own protective earmuffs.

August 2, 2025

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Ready to transform raw metal into unique, wearable art? This dynamic, beginner-friendly course dives into the essential techniques of metal fabrication, including cutting, shaping, joining (soldering), and finishing. We'll focus on the versatile world of non-ferrous metals, such as copper, while providing you with skills applicable to brass, silver, and gold. 

Get ready for hands-on creation! You'll have the exciting opportunity to design and craft a bracelet, a classic penannular brooch, personalized rings, and more. Unleash your creativity and gain a solid foundation in the captivating craft of metal jewelry making.

We provide all necessary tools and equipment for your learning experience, allowing you to dive right into the creative process. For those who wish to continue their metalworking journey, we'll share information on easily obtainable tools (many found at a hardware store) and suppliers.

Good vision is helpful, so please bring reading glasses or magnification if needed. Earplugs will be provided, but you may prefer to bring your own protective earmuffs.

Come and be a part of the felting community! Bring your needle felted project to work on, learn from others, share your ideas, or just show up to see what it’s all about. Without community, our lives would be a lot less full.

Do I need experience? 

No experience necessary, you just need to have an interest in working with wool and in learning new things.

What will be at the circle?

Tea will be provided. You'll also be able to purchase some basic supplies to get you started on your journey.

What should I bring?

If you have your own project, bring what you need to work on it. For those without supplies, extra wool, mats, needles and ideas will be available, ($5.00 for a small kit to get you started).

This event is for adults 18+, or youth 14+ with accompanying adult.

Please register so we can be sure to have enough space in the workshop!

Ages: 18 Months - 4 Years

Honk! Honk! Invite your tiniest explorers to a magical TimberNook experience in the beautiful Avon Hills, inspired by the beloved "Little Blue Truck" stories. 

Imagine them discovering muddy puddles, building woodland homes, feeling the rich textures of the forest, and bringing the story to life through imaginative play.

Give your little one the gift of outdoor play and discovery in a safe and nurturing environment. Limited spots available – book your Little Blue Truck adventure today!

In this class you will learn about the wonderful world of wild mushrooms and how to safely forage for them. Your instructor will be going through a presentation that talks about basic mushroom information, how to identify mushrooms, how to safely forage for mushrooms, talk about common edible and toxic mushrooms you should know about, and how to best continue learning about mushrooms. Throughout this presentation, you will also have opportunity to handle some of the mushrooms you are learning about as well

Wild mushrooms are incredibly fascinating and often misunderstood. After taking this class, you will understand these organisms a bit better and leave with the confidence to forage for your own wild mushrooms! Food seems to be much tastier when it’s as fresh as possible and you know where it comes from!

After the morning learning session, we’ll have a lunch break and share a meal, then we will head for the woods and forage!

This course will consist of using hand tools along with power tools. You will learn what mortises and tenons are, how to make them, in what order, and how they go together. You will understand how to make finger grooves in the wood and how to get the sliding action of the book self. You will design the folding ends of the bookshelves, attach them using a piano hinge, learn the importance of measuring the wood for a proper fit, and fine tune the action of the sliding fingers. You will also be doing leather work in making a small strap to attach to the back of the bookshelves. This will include using copper rivets, leather punches, cutting knives and how to attach buckles to the strap. 

After this course, you will have a better understanding of design and how wood can be used in  more of a fun way. You will have a one of a kind piece that will be practical and a centerpiece on any desk. You will also learn a bit of history as you create a bookshelf that would have been used in the 1800s by British officers on military campaigns when all items needed to be small and practical. 

Ages: 4-7 Years

Imagine stepping into a world where small but mighty gnomes come to life! At TimberNook's Gnome Village experience, children are invited to let their imaginations run wild, crafting tiny homes and hidden pathways in a magical woodland setting. With their innately curious personalities, the gnomes of TimberNook inspire ingenious play, encouraging children to create their own miniature world. They might build cozy gnome dwellings from natural materials, decorate with found treasures, or invent enchanting stories within their village. It's a chance to explore, build, and play, letting the spirit of the gnomes guide their adventure.

Ages: 7-12 Years

Artists and engineers, get ready to make a splash! TimberNook's Extreme Art: Catapult! is your chance to explore art in a truly explosive way, inspired by the boundless colors of "Sky Color."

Forget tiny brushes; we're talking full-scale, paint-launching action! Imagine designing and building your own catapults, then loading them with vibrant paint. Think of the possibilities: creating wild, abstract art as paint splatters across huge canvases in the woods. You'll experiment with force, aiming, and the sheer joy of making art on a massive scale.

Maybe you'll aim for specific patterns, or maybe you'll just let the colors fly and see what happens. This is about taking art outside the lines and turning the woods into your own giant, colorful canvas!

In this course, we’ll be making leather journals start to finish with long stitch binding on a leather cover. Expect to gain new skills in a non-competitive learning environment and leave with a completed journal of your own making.

What will I learn during this class?

• Tips and tricks when working with leather

• General leather education, the different things to look for and utilities of different kinds

• Long stitch bookbinding methods

• Leather cutting, paper cutting and sizing

• Leather punching

• Some hardware setting will be offered

In this course, we’ll be making waxed canvas tote bags from start to finish. Expect to gain new skills in a non-competitive learning environment and leave with a completed waxed canvas bag of your own making. 

What will I learn during this class?

• Tips and tricks when working with leather and waxed canvas

• General hand stitching methods

• Leather cutting

• Leather punching

• Hardware setting

Ages: 18 Months - 4 Years

Get ready to dig in! Our TimberNook mud construction experience invites your tiny builders to explore the squishy, satisfying world of mud. 

Imagine little hands mixing, molding, and discovering the endless possibilities of this earthy material. 

Together, you and your child will connect with the natural world through tactile exploration, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills as you work side-by-side. This is a chance to embrace messy play, build lasting memories, and watch your child's imagination take shape in the heart of nature.

Ages: 7-12 Years

Get ready for an exhilarating adventure! At TimberNook, you'll have the chance to become a daring explorer, just like Indiana Jones!

Imagine this: working together with your friends to build a magnificent suspension bridge. You'll use ropes, planks, and your own ingenuity to create a thrilling crossing over a "chasm" (maybe a stream or a wide gap in the woods). Will you make it sturdy and strong? Will you add special features, like swinging bridges or secret passages? The possibilities are endless!

This isn't just about building; it's about problem-solving, teamwork, and pushing your limits. You'll face challenges, test your courage, and create something truly amazing. Are you ready for the adventure?

July 9, 2025

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Restore your worn fabrics, connect with your community, and contribute to a sustainable future. Stop by our mending circle!

Do I need experience? 

No experience necessary, if you have zero experience and zero idea what to bring other than your holey garment, please show up and we can point you in the right direction.

What will be at the circle?

Tea will be provided. You'll also be able to pilfer supporting supplies from the communal mending kit.

What should I bring?

Bring things to mend, your half finished knits and any hand projects, fiber or otherwise, you want to spend time with. Basic mending tools include needles, thread, and small scissors.

If you want to mend jeans, please bring some extra denim to patch, and some light blue cotton (unless you want to visibly mend, then whatever colour you wish!) 

If you want to learn to darn, bring jar lids, rubber bands, wool needles, and wool to match.

This event is for adults 18+, or youth 14+ with accompanying adult.

Please register so we can be sure to have enough space in the workshop!

Ages: 18 Months - 4 Years

Let your little artist's imagination bloom with our TimberNook painting experience, tailored for tiny hands and big creative spirits. 

See vibrant natural pigments mingling with the textures of leaves and bark, becoming masterpieces created directly on the forest floor. 

Children will explore the colors of nature, using found materials as brushes and canvases, discovering the joy of artistic expression in the heart of the woods. 

This experience will cultivate sensory awareness, foster a connection with nature, encourage creative freedom, and strengthen the bond between you and your little loved one.

Do I need experience? 

No experience necessary, you just need to have an interest in working with wool and in learning new things.

What will be at the circle?

Tea will be provided. You'll also be able to purchase some basic supplies to get you started on your journey.

What should I bring?

If you have your own project, bring what you need to work on it. For those without supplies, extra wool, mats, needles and ideas will be available, ($5.00 for a small kit to get you started).

This event is for adults 18+, or youth 14+ with accompanying adult.

Please register so we can be sure to have enough space in the workshop!

Ages: 4-7 Years

Imagine a pond where beavers build mighty lodges and turtles bask in the sun! Inspired by "Turtle's Race with Beaver," TimberNook invites young adventurers to explore the world of these fascinating creatures. Perhaps you'll build your own miniature beaver lodge, using sticks and mud, or maybe you'll design a safe haven for turtles, just like the one in the story. You might even create your own version of the race, imagining how a clever turtle could outwit a powerful beaver. We'll have materials and space to play, build, and explore, bringing the story to life through hands-on adventure. It's a chance to discover the ingenuity of beavers and the resilience of turtles, all while creating your own woodland tale.