Parent-Child Garden Playdates

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“Peapod classes are such a special way to spend time outdoors with my kiddos and our friends! The girls had a blast and are already planning where we can grow vegetables at home.”
- mom of a 4- and 6-year old, Spring 2022

🌱 Looking for new, enriching ways to get outdoors with your kiddos? And get together with fellow parents? 🌱

🌱 PEAPOD GARDEN PLAYDATES are parent-child gardening and nature classes held entirely outdoors, in all 4 seasons, in my home flower and vegetable gardens in Watertown. These private gatherings of 2-4 families are a unique, enriching way to get outside with your family and friends to play, learn and get some much-needed green therapy. We dig, plant, pick and taste! We explore, play, problem-solve and create!

Each class includes 60-minutes of garden-based play and learning, plus a take-home activity. Sign up for a single session or a seasonal series to deepen your children's understanding of growing food and the natural world.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE PEAPOD KIDS IN ACTION!

I will be offering a limited number of multi-session, multi-season classes starting in Spring 2024! Please contact me to set up a Garden Playdate for your family and friends!

***NOTE: If your private group has already arranged a class time, please complete this ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM.***

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Peapod Garden Playdates are for children 3-8 years old (suggested age) and are designed for private groups of 2 or more families. The private group format gives a Peapod parent-child class a fun, unique playdate vibe - for both kids and grownups! (see more about the private group format in the FAQ!) I offer single or multi-session classes. Come in one season or all four! I work with families to schedule the date and time for their group. Email peapodgardenplay@gmail.com or call 617-515-8461 to sign up or ask questions.

Each one-hour Garden Playdate consists of structured learning and exploratory play suited to a variety of kids’ ages and stages. Activities and themes change with the seasons -- often based on whatever amazing things Mother Nature is orchestrating in the garden during any given week! Read below about the kinds of things we do and learn. And be sure to scroll through the photos to see Peapod kids in action in every season!

Things we do …

sow seeds • pick vegetables • taste vegetables • dig • plant bulbs • water plants (kid-size cans!) • gather flowers • make collages • “cook” nature soup • go on a color scavenger hunt • listen to a story

Things we learn about …

growing food • seeds • pollinators • animals and their habitats • seasonal changes • what plants need • healthy eating

And skills we practice…

observation • problem-solving • socializing • perseverance • creativity • language • gross and fine motor skills

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE PEAPOD KIDS IN ACTION! ______________________________________________________________________

CLASS DETAILS

LOCATION: All classes are held entirely outdoors (bathrooms available), in my home gardens in West Watertown. My yard is a fenced-in, child-friendly space with vegetable and flower beds, a gathering circle, and a large lawn with shade. There is also a swing-set and tree fort that are available for limited periods during class.

CLASS LENGTH/STRUCTURE: 60 minutes, with 45 minutes of garden activities plus 15 minutes of free play.

CLASS SIZE: Your group must include at least 2 families with a minimum of 3 children, and a maximum of 5-6 children.

AGE RANGE: Suggested age is 3-8 years. Feel free to ask me about children outside of this range.

COST: Class cost is determined by number of classes and participants. Discounts are available for siblings.

HOW TO SIGN UP: Please email me at peapodgardenplay@gmail.com or call 617-515-8461 to arrange the date(s) and time for your group's Garden Playdate! I am happy to answer any questions!

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FAQS

IS THE CLASS DROP-OFF? Peapod Playdates are not drop off. One parent/caregiver per family is required. Up to 2 caregivers may attend. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, babysitters are all welcome!

WHY PRIVATE GROUPS ONLY? The private group model started out as a Covid safety protocol but turned out to be a set up for classes that I love. Kids jump into activities quickly and grownups get to connect with their kids while spending time with friends. This playdate vibe makes Peapod classes both a unique learning and play experience and a memorable family outing.

WHAT DO KIDS ACTUALLY DO? Activities depend on the season, weather and sometimes the children's inclinations and interests (that's the free play and child-led learning where the real magic happens!) Some examples of what we do: planting and picking vegetables and flowers, garden “chores”, color scavenger hunts, seed collages, kid-size nest-building, nature soup and more.

IS MY CHILD THE RIGHT AGE/TEMPERMENT FOR GARDENING? Gardening is right for kids of any age and personality! Peapod Playdates are designed for children ages 3-8 years, but please ask about exceptions. All children are encouraged but not required to participate in the day’s planned activities. Child-led exploration can be the best way for children at any age to understand and enjoy time in nature! All those kiddos who are seemingly “not listening” or “just running around” are absorbing more than we think (and you'll often hear about it at home!)

ARE THERE COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS? Vaccination is required for all ages that qualify. Masks are optional and their use can be decided by the group. I am vaccinated and triple boosted so I generally do not wear a mask.

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THOUGHTS FROM HAPPY PARENTS

“My daughters look forward to every visit to ‘the Peapod garden’. Teacher Cathy does a great job of connecting with each child. We’ll be back in the Fall!” -mom of 4-year-old twins, Summer 2020

“Our homeschooling group got so much out of Peapod classes with Ms. Cathy. This is a great way for kids to learn about nature and growing food.” –mom of a 7 year old homeschooler, Fall 2020

“Thank you for creating Peapod classes! This was an important experience for my shy grandson who missed out on a lot of socializing during Covid. He loved making 'nature soup' with the other children." –grandmother of a pre-schooler, Winter 2021

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A BIT ABOUT ME
I am a professional gardener, wanna-be urban farmer, and mom of an 9-year-old. I started working as a garden educator after watching my then 5-year-old son's eyes light up while picking snap peas. I have been a Tinkergarten leader, a school garden volunteer, and a farm class educator. I created Peapod gardening and nature classes in 2020 during Covid for parents looking for enriching, safe ways to get their children outside. My goal is to give kids (and grownups!) more opportunities to learn about gardening and growing food. So far over 40 pre-k and elementary age kiddos have attended Peapod Playdates, in all four seasons.