Tinkergarten
Highlights for Children c/o Tinkergarten, 1800 Watermark Drive, P.O. Box 269, Columbus, OH 43216
About
Tinkergarten offers DIY activities, on-demand lessons, and free DIY outdoor activities that families can use to support kids’ learning through outdoor play. The program includes expert-designed activities created by educators, with nature at the core and an open-ended, child-led approach that is described as part science and part wisdom. Tinkergarten content is available until the end of August 2026, and lessons are led by a certified Tinkergarten Leader in a 60-minute session format, with on-demand lessons that can be played, paused, and replayed anytime, anywhere.
• Ages: 0–8 years old
• Schedule: 60-minute session; on-demand lessons available anytime
Tinkergarten’s mission is to help families get outside to make the most of their kids’ early learning years through a play-based outdoor curriculum that guides parents in raising healthy, confident, and capable kids, and to make purposeful outdoor play doable for every family. The program focuses on brain-boosting outdoor play, with joyful outdoor play connecting kids and families to one another and to the natural world, and offers free activities and insights to help give kids the benefits of purposeful outdoor play. Tinkergarten reports that 87% of families spend more time outdoors, 85% of kids show improved ability to focus their attention, 90% of kids play independently more often and for longer, and 93% of caregivers feel better prepared to engage their child in playful learning, and notes that after more than 30 seasons, its data shows its impact on kids and families.
Lessons are led by certified Tinkergarten Leaders, and the curriculum, coaching, and activities are designed to help grown-ups support kids’ learning process in ways that are described as irresistibly playful and open-ended. Tinkergarten is now part of Highlights for Children, and families can find Tinkergarten in High Five magazines. The program states that it is loved by parents and kids across the U.S.
Parent and caregiver testimonials describe the learning style as offering guidance without pressure and allowing children to do activities while exploring on their own, which one parent found helpful for a shy and independent child. Other caregivers report that children were highly engaged in class explorations, that Tinkergarten home classes became the best part of a child’s day, and that activities kept a child busy for the whole day when materials were left out for play at their leisure. Several adults share that they discovered new ways to play with their kids, to approach nature, and to ask open-ended questions like “What do you think?” and “What do you see?” instead of telling kids what to think or see, and some note learning to step back, be more patient, and be more child-led in their interactions. One caregiver describes Tinkergarten as their kids’ group of peers when preschool was not affordable, and a Tinkergarten Teacher calls one empathy lesson plan “the most beautiful and absolutely brilliant way” they had seen to teach kids empathy. Another parent notes that participating in Tinkergarten led their young child to show more respect for the earth in a short period of time, and one adult reflects that Tinkergarten reminded them of the creativity and joy they experienced playing in the mud as a child.
Last updated July 17, 2026.
• Ages: 0–8 years old
• Schedule: 60-minute session; on-demand lessons available anytime
Tinkergarten’s mission is to help families get outside to make the most of their kids’ early learning years through a play-based outdoor curriculum that guides parents in raising healthy, confident, and capable kids, and to make purposeful outdoor play doable for every family. The program focuses on brain-boosting outdoor play, with joyful outdoor play connecting kids and families to one another and to the natural world, and offers free activities and insights to help give kids the benefits of purposeful outdoor play. Tinkergarten reports that 87% of families spend more time outdoors, 85% of kids show improved ability to focus their attention, 90% of kids play independently more often and for longer, and 93% of caregivers feel better prepared to engage their child in playful learning, and notes that after more than 30 seasons, its data shows its impact on kids and families.
Lessons are led by certified Tinkergarten Leaders, and the curriculum, coaching, and activities are designed to help grown-ups support kids’ learning process in ways that are described as irresistibly playful and open-ended. Tinkergarten is now part of Highlights for Children, and families can find Tinkergarten in High Five magazines. The program states that it is loved by parents and kids across the U.S.
Parent and caregiver testimonials describe the learning style as offering guidance without pressure and allowing children to do activities while exploring on their own, which one parent found helpful for a shy and independent child. Other caregivers report that children were highly engaged in class explorations, that Tinkergarten home classes became the best part of a child’s day, and that activities kept a child busy for the whole day when materials were left out for play at their leisure. Several adults share that they discovered new ways to play with their kids, to approach nature, and to ask open-ended questions like “What do you think?” and “What do you see?” instead of telling kids what to think or see, and some note learning to step back, be more patient, and be more child-led in their interactions. One caregiver describes Tinkergarten as their kids’ group of peers when preschool was not affordable, and a Tinkergarten Teacher calls one empathy lesson plan “the most beautiful and absolutely brilliant way” they had seen to teach kids empathy. Another parent notes that participating in Tinkergarten led their young child to show more respect for the earth in a short period of time, and one adult reflects that Tinkergarten reminded them of the creativity and joy they experienced playing in the mud as a child.
Last updated July 17, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.