Prairie Flower Children's Center

Little Song Parent-Child club traipsing through the field. We're wrapping up for the summer, but starting back up again in September.

Looking for new ways to support Prairie Flower? Consider joining the board! We’re currently looking for some new members - especially those with backgrounds in early childhood education, accounting and a passion for our mission!

Details and applications are available on our website:
https://www.prairieflowercc.org/board-of-directors.html

Today was a magical, scavenger-hunt kind of day! 🌿✨

We explored the woods with wide eyes and big smiles, discovering mushrooms, money, bones, lost belongings, and all kinds of creatures along the way. The questions were endless, and the learning was completely student-led!

Some of the wonders we explored today:
Where does that path lead?
Why is the prairie black?
What’s under here?
Who dug this hole?
Did the spider catch anything in its web?
Why does that mushroom have water underneath?
Can we eat these?
Is this poison ivy?
How do you know it’s a baby deer?

At Prairie Flower, our play-based, child-led approach gives children the agency and freedom to follow their passions and curiosity—leading to deep, meaningful learning every single day. 💛

Ms. Amy makes and stirs mud in the forest with Little Song friends. The chilly, unpredictable weather does not keep us inside!

Help support Prairie Flower Children’s Center this month by donating your bottles and cans at Ames Bottle and Can!

We are looking for a few more families to join our Winter session of LIttle Song Parent-child club.

We try to spend at least half of our time outside during each meeting. We'll explore the snowy woods, enjoy songs and stories about animals and adventures in the snow, and connect to the nature around us. Toddlers have a chance to play with others, while parents connect.

We offer a free trial day, too. Please reach out with any questions: [email protected]

https://www.prairieflowercc.org/parent-child-club.html

What a great day for our lunch fundraiser! A huge Thank You to participants from Leadership Ames class 38 who worked with local business to have food and supplies donated for the event and donated time and resources to putting on this fundraiser for us!
Colin Brons, Alison Hendrix, Renee Wilcox Jerman, Katie Kramer, Kim Drennan Schilling

Little Song hiked our first big one yesterday. Everyone persevered. We practiced stopping at fun places to make sure everyone had a chance to catch up so we could stay together.

Little Song (our parent-child group) ventured to a little stream in the woods today. It made for some very engaging muddy play.

We still have space for a few more families. Check it out: prairieflowercc.org/parent-child-club Some of the details are not quite up to date, so please feel free to email [email protected] with any questions!

🌦❄️ Gear Swap Donations Needed! ❄️🌦

Do you have gently used outdoor gear for children 3-12 years old that your family has outgrown? Help us prepare for the seasons ahead by bringing it to our Gear Swap Event! Our gear swap helps children get the gear they need and keeps outgrown gear out of the landfill. Gear can be dropped off at Bethesda Lutheran Church in the upstairs hallway in the box labeled for GEAR DONATION. Thank you for helping us get everyone geared up for the 2025-2026 school year! We will be collecting gear through the end of September.

We’re especially looking for:
🧥 Rain coats
👖 Rain pants
👢 Rain boots
🥾 Snow boots
❄️ Snow pants
🧥 Waterproof coats
🧣 Hats
🧤 Mittens & gloves

Your donations help ensure all kids are ready to explore and play outside—rain, shine, or snow! 🌿