About
TimberNook Loudoun County offers child-led, nature-based experiences that take place outdoors for extended periods of time. The program features outdoor, sensory-rich, child-directed experiences that blend the power of story with time in nature. It follows a research-based approach to outdoor play that is described as nature-driven and focused on children leading their own play.
• Schedule: Research-based, child-led outdoor play experiences offered in extended outdoor sessions
TimberNook Loudoun County is part of TimberNook, which offers programs in 51 locations in 4 countries. The mission of TimberNook is to restore the vital role of outdoor play in childhood and to restore children’s authentic occupation of play. The organization states that research shows children grow, learn, and develop better when given the freedom to play outside and describes play as both a fundamental right and a source of healing. TimberNook describes itself as a mission-driven organization that supports the right to play through education, research, and hands-on opportunities. Its programs are described as research-backed outdoor play that nurtures natural development and supports children within a community setting.
TimberNook was founded by Angela Hanscom, a pediatric occupational therapist with degrees in occupational therapy and kinesiology. She is the author of “Balanced & Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children.” Angela Hanscom keynotes conferences and leads workshops worldwide for parents, educators, and clinicians, and she has been recognized as a Glamour “Hometown Hero” for her work. She contributes to The Washington Post and has been featured by NPR, Times of India, Children & Nature Network, Jerusalem Post, Huffington Post, CBC Radio, and TEDx. She serves on the board of the International Association of Nature Pedagogy.
Testimonials about TimberNook and Angela Hanscom include statements from professionals and parents. Dr. Anita Bundy, Sc.D., OT/L, FAOTA, FOTARA, describes play as a powerful tool that enables important learning that school curricula usually do not yield and notes that children learn that problems can be solved in many ways. One teacher states that Angela’s message is profound and that every educator and parent needs to learn it. Parent Candace DiGiacomo says her daughter loves the program and calls it one of the best programs she has seen in almost 12 years of being a parent, and she highly recommends it. Provider Kevin Kane states that kids want action, movement, and drama in their play and that he likes the idea of children transforming through play, living stories, and full-on imagination come to life. Angela Hanscom states that in order for children to learn, they need to be able to pay attention, and in order to pay attention, adults must let them move. Author Richard Louv describes Angela Hanscom as “a powerful voice for balance.”
Last updated July 18, 2026.
• Schedule: Research-based, child-led outdoor play experiences offered in extended outdoor sessions
TimberNook Loudoun County is part of TimberNook, which offers programs in 51 locations in 4 countries. The mission of TimberNook is to restore the vital role of outdoor play in childhood and to restore children’s authentic occupation of play. The organization states that research shows children grow, learn, and develop better when given the freedom to play outside and describes play as both a fundamental right and a source of healing. TimberNook describes itself as a mission-driven organization that supports the right to play through education, research, and hands-on opportunities. Its programs are described as research-backed outdoor play that nurtures natural development and supports children within a community setting.
TimberNook was founded by Angela Hanscom, a pediatric occupational therapist with degrees in occupational therapy and kinesiology. She is the author of “Balanced & Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children.” Angela Hanscom keynotes conferences and leads workshops worldwide for parents, educators, and clinicians, and she has been recognized as a Glamour “Hometown Hero” for her work. She contributes to The Washington Post and has been featured by NPR, Times of India, Children & Nature Network, Jerusalem Post, Huffington Post, CBC Radio, and TEDx. She serves on the board of the International Association of Nature Pedagogy.
Testimonials about TimberNook and Angela Hanscom include statements from professionals and parents. Dr. Anita Bundy, Sc.D., OT/L, FAOTA, FOTARA, describes play as a powerful tool that enables important learning that school curricula usually do not yield and notes that children learn that problems can be solved in many ways. One teacher states that Angela’s message is profound and that every educator and parent needs to learn it. Parent Candace DiGiacomo says her daughter loves the program and calls it one of the best programs she has seen in almost 12 years of being a parent, and she highly recommends it. Provider Kevin Kane states that kids want action, movement, and drama in their play and that he likes the idea of children transforming through play, living stories, and full-on imagination come to life. Angela Hanscom states that in order for children to learn, they need to be able to pay attention, and in order to pay attention, adults must let them move. Author Richard Louv describes Angela Hanscom as “a powerful voice for balance.”
Last updated July 18, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.