ABOUT ROOTS & RAINBOOTS

Our Beginning

Roots & Rainboots was created from a simple observation:
young children were being asked to learn in ways that did not match how their bodies, brains, or nervous systems develop.

More screens. More structure. More pressure.
Less movement. Less nature. Less time to just be little.

We saw families searching for something slower, calmer, and more grounded—but often finding either vague inspiration or overly academic programs that missed the heart of early childhood.

Roots & Rainboots exists to fill that gap.

What We Believe

We believe nature is not an “extra.”
It is the original learning environment for young children.

Before letters and numbers, children learn through:

movement
sensory exploration
repetition
observation
relationship

These foundations are built outdoors, through real experiences that engage the whole child.

We believe:

Play is not a break from learning. It is learning.
Regulation comes before academics.
Young children thrive when learning is slow, embodied, and seasonal.
Adults need support too—not just ideas, but guidance that respects real life.

Why Ages 2–5 Matter

The early years are often misunderstood.

Toddlers and preschoolers are expected to sit still, follow instructions, and perform skills their nervous systems are not ready for—while their most important developmental needs are overlooked.

At Roots & Rainboots, everything is designed specifically for ages 2–5:

activities that honor short attention spans
experiences that support sensory integration
opportunities for gross motor movement and regulation
open-ended play that grows with the child

This is not scaled-down elementary learning.
It is early childhood, respected as its own vital stage.

Our Approach

Roots & Rainboots blends early childhood development with nature-based play to create experiences that feel both intentional and simple.

Our work is guided by:

process over product
child-led exploration with adult support
seasonal rhythms rather than rigid schedules
learning that unfolds outdoors, in all kinds of weather

We design for real families:

limited time
mixed-age siblings
changing energy levels
imperfect days

Nothing here requires perfection.

From Curriculum to Kits

Roots & Rainboots began as a seasonal nature curriculum used by families, caregivers, and early childhood programs.

As our community grew, one need became clear:
families didn’t just want ideas—they wanted tangible tools that reduced planning, prep, and overwhelm.

Our Seasonal Nature Play Kits were created to meet that need.

Each kit transforms our philosophy into hands-on experiences, providing simple materials and thoughtful prompts that support meaningful, screen-free play—without requiring parents to be educators.

Who We Serve

Roots & Rainboots is for:

parents seeking calmer, more connected early years
caregivers and nannies supporting young children daily
preschools, forest schools, and homeschool families
anyone who believes childhood should feel rooted, not rushed

Our Hope

We hope Roots & Rainboots helps families:

spend more time outside
trust play as real learning
feel less pressure to “do more”
reconnect with the natural rhythms of childhood

Because children do not need to be accelerated.
They need to be grounded.