Functional Roots

09/12/2026

Nature Play Groups are back for a full fall season!

⭐️Each week highlights a different sensory system (eight to be exact) to help guide child and caregiver body awareness and playful ways to build tools and play activities to support development. Our final week of the program pulls everything together and allows an extra week to continue building comfort and relationships with the same group of participants.

❤️Children gain confidence through the support of their caregiver joining their play and through our intentionally designed curriculum by Occupational Therapists.

🌱Little Adventurers begin with a self-paced nature job to provide them a sense of purpose and care for our earth, tied to the sensory system theme.

✨A group welcome filled with songs, purposeful exercise, teachings of sensory systems, active storytime and affirmations help set the stage for our book-inspired weekly themes.

🔍A guided mindful movement hike allows time to flow into developmental play stations which are enjoyed at the pace of each child and their caregiver.

5 main developmental pillars focus each weekly station:
🤏 Fine Motor Skills
🤸 Gross Motor Skills
👋 Tactile Awareness
🎨 Process Art
🧑‍🍳 Mud Kitchen & Feeding

🍃 Additional fully guided nature play activities and inspirations for caregivers are additional options to be enjoyed during or after the play group. Many families enjoy staying to play with new friends - using inspiration from the guides and the natural tools at their fingertips.

We are celebrating 7 years of our community-focused nature play groups. There’s still a chance for you to join us for our fall season playing intentionally together 🎉

Save your family’s spot in our fall program here:

https://functional-roots.com/nature-play-groups/

09/08/2026

✨FREE Nature Play Resources for Caregivers!

A Chatham University Occupational Therapy Doctoral Student is seeking participants for her capstone project. She is looking for caregivers of children aged 5 and under who are interested in nature-based play and supporting their child’s functional development. Participating in this project is a great way to dip your toes into nature-based play!

Participation is asynchronous and completed at your own pace. It involves an initial survey, six interactive virtual educational modules, and a post-survey. The modules will focus on different functional development skills and how you can support your child’s development of these skills through nature-based play. If you are interested, scan the QR code on the flyer to take the initial survey and see if you qualify.

If you have any questions involving participation or any aspects of the project, please contact the primary researcher: Isabel Tomlin, [email protected]

08/23/2026

✨ Fall Nature Play Group registration is now open!

What if one hour each week could change the way you play with your child… forever? 🌿

Imagine watching your child build confidence climbing over logs, create muddy masterpieces, discover tiny creatures, make new friends, and light up with pride after completing a nature mission.

Now imagine leaving each session with practical ideas you can use at home to support their development—without worksheets, pressure, or screens.

That is what Little Adventurers is all about.

🍃 Purposeful nature play
💚 Child-led exploration
📖 Interactive storytime & intentional movement
🎨 Five main pillars of developmental play activities
👣 Gross & fine motor challenges
🥣 Mud kitchens with feeding tips
🌱 Mindfulness, reflection & caregiver support

Every activity is intentionally designed by pediatric Occupational Therapists to nurture confidence, regulation, connection, and lifelong curiosity through play. Each week builds on the last, creating a meaningful journey for both children and caregivers.

Because childhood isn’t a race.

It’s a chance to slow down…
to get muddy…
to ask questions…
to wonder…
and to grow together.

🌱Join families across the Pittsburgh area as we Learn. Play. Connect. Grow.

Most enjoyed by kids ages 1-8 years with a caregiver.

Reserve your spot by visiting Functional-Roots.com > Nature Play Groups⁠ or…

Visit https://functional-roots.com/nature-play-groups/ to learn more!

08/10/2026

Come join us this fall in Pittsburgh area parks for our weekly Little Adventures programs 🌱

https://functional-roots.com/nature-play-groups/

08/04/2026

✨ Fall Nature Play Group registration is now open!

What if one hour each week could change the way you play with your child… forever? 🌿

Imagine watching your child build confidence climbing over logs, create muddy masterpieces, discover tiny creatures, make new friends, and light up with pride after completing a nature mission.

Now imagine leaving each session with practical ideas you can use at home to support their development—without worksheets, pressure, or screens.

That is what Little Adventurers is all about.

🍃 Purposeful nature play
💚 Child-led exploration
📖 Interactive storytime & intentional movement
🎨 Five main pillars of developmental play activities
👣 Gross & fine motor challenges
🥣 Mud kitchens with feeding tips
🌱 Mindfulness, reflection & caregiver support

Every activity is intentionally designed by pediatric Occupational Therapists to nurture confidence, regulation, connection, and lifelong curiosity through play. Each week builds on the last, creating a meaningful journey for both children and caregivers.

Because childhood isn’t a race.

It’s a chance to slow down…
to get muddy…
to ask questions…
to wonder…
and to grow together.

🌱Join families across the Pittsburgh area as we Learn. Play. Connect. Grow.

Most enjoyed by children ages 1-8 years with a caregiver.

Reserve your spot through the link in our bio or visit https://functional-roots.com/nature-play-groups/

07/11/2026

Don’t miss your chance to join our last round of Nature Nurturers 4-week mini camp series beginning this week!

Only a few spots left in the following groups:
- Mondays at Frick Park from 10-11 am
- Wednesdays at Banksville Park from 10-11 am
- Sundays at Fall Run Park from 10-11 am (begins in August)

Can’t commit to the whole 4-week series? Simply visit the website to see if registration is still open and drop-in to scan the QR code to register same day!

See more details and register here: https://functional-roots.com/nature-play-groups/

07/01/2026

We are so excited for this collaboration!! Come join us at The Norwin Elks.

Registration is required. Drop-in sessions available (space permitting).

https://functional-roots.com/nature-play-groups/

Join Functional Roots for some summer fun! See attached for additional information.

06/23/2026

‼️NEW!!! We are so excited to announce that our OT, Cheri, is back in Westmoreland County at a new location for our Little Adventurers groups!

🔎Join a super special 6-week Nature Detective themed group at The Norwin Elks on Wednesdays at 10 am beginning July 8.

🌱Register at https://functional-roots.com/nature-play-groups/

06/07/2026

Don’t miss your chance to join our last round of Nature Detective 4-week mini camp series beginning this week!

Only a few spots left in the following groups:
- Mondays at Frick Park from 10-11 am
- Wednesdays at Banksville Park from 10-11 am

See more details and register here: https://functional-roots.com/nature-play-groups/

05/04/2026

Don’t miss this collaborative camp experience with Tree Pittsburgh for one week in August! Groups are facilitated by an expert team of nature-based staff, Occupational Therapists, Exercise Scientists, and Educators to support a small group of rising Kindergarten - 2nd graders.

Applications are required due to limited spots available: https://functional-roots.com/nature-play-groups/