Catkin & co. Videos

The thing most proud of in 2023 - it was the year ‘Make Space for Girls’ in Rowntree Park really took off! There was eve anational award for the Summer events programme! The project is focused on making Rowntree Park, in York, more ‘welcoming’ to teen girls & trying to reduce the drop off of park use that happens as girls enter their teens. Parks are so important for physical and mental health, a place to gain independence in a safe environment- and a place where girls can just ‘be’ themselves. I started in 2021 as a passion project with research and engagement, that has culminated in two main aims based on feedback from teens: 1. A space/equipment in the park teen girls have asked for 2.Events & activities aimed at teen girls Through the summer of 2023 there were 40 events and had around 300 individuals involved. We (@friendsrowntreepark ) have also got some funding to start creating an area the girls asked for. I’ve also spoken at conferences, on national & local radio, had our work included in research and more! In 2024 there is lots more to come and lots more to share! Get involved and be part of the change. You could: ⭐️Run an event for the programme ⭐️Become a sponsor ⭐️Help with the organising/project in general ⭐️Attend the events ⭐️Spread the word Info on how to get involved: Rowntreepark.org.uk Thank you to everyone who supported the project in 2023 including g those in York and further afield. Roll on 2024. Extra thanks to @make_space_for_girls who campaign for parks and public spaces to be designed with teen girls in mind. Also thanks to anyone and everyone who has attended events and sent messages of support - it means a lot! . . . #makespaceforgirls #empowergirls #girlsandparks #thesegirlscan #yorkevents #whatsonyork #yorkblogger #yorklife #Yorkforfamilies #yorkmums #yorkpark #rowntreepark #secretyork #yorklife #whatsonyork #yorkuk #parklife #saferparks #forestschoolideas #kidslovenature #green

Back in stock - Nature Advent Activity Cards! These cards sold out pretty fast, and after so requests, I decided to restock to give more people the chance to get hold of these Advent activities. 🌟 Count down to Christmas by immersing yourselves in the beauty of the great outdoors and creating magical memories together. 🌟 Each day in December, you your little explorers pick a card and only the back is an enchanting nature based activity. The card pack comes with a detailed downloadable instruction booklet for each activity. 🌟 Start the countdown to Christmas in a way that gifts you quality time together. Make memories, one card at a time. ⭐️ Online store, link in bio - Www.catkinand.co . . . #christmasideasforkids #natureadvent #natureadventure #yorksmallbusiness #getoutdoors #christmaskids #yorkchristmas #yorkmums #shopsmallchristmascampaign #kidscrafts101 #naturalchildhood #exploringnaturewithchildren #natureplay #naturekids #christmasideas #natureschooling #naturecrafts #sharingnatureplay #bishyroad #kidslovenature #ecokids #wildschooling #greenparenting #forestschoolideas #timetogether #colourfriday

Christmas Wreath Making Kit with a twist… Our kit gives you the basics and also nature ID cards do you and head out and scavenge for items to add to your wreath. Flash back to the most heartwarming video I was sent last Christmas of Remy & his grandad spending time together. Seeing this made my heart melt! This is WHY I started Catkin & co- seeing families engaging together in, and with nature. Thank you to @the_walkingmum for making me cry…This is what Christmas is about! (Not me crying…but quality time together with those you love). Nature Hunt Wreath Kits available from our online shop. Limited stock. . . . #yorkmums #foragingwithkids #christmaswreathkit #kidscrafts101 #naturalchildhood #exploringnaturewithchildren #forestschool #natureplay #naturekids #noticepausetreasure #yorksmallbusiness #natureschooling #naturecrafts #sharingnatureplay #bishyroad #kidslovenature #christmaskids #naturekits #wildschooling #naturechristmas #wildhoodadventures #yorksmallbusiness #christmasideasforkids #forestschoolideas #familyforaging #yorkkids

Limited edition Christmas Nature Craft Kits - last few remaining! If you were thinking about getting this limited edition kit, now is the time! The Christmas Nature Kit is perfect for creating memories together. The magic of Christmas is in the build up, spending quality time together and out kit is packed full of resources for you to explore your creativity together. 10 nature based crafts to engage and enthuse those with wide eyes and wild hearts. Limited edition and only £18. Link to the online store on our profile page - p&p it local pick up avalible . . #luxuryeco #christmascraft #christmaskids #yorkchristmas #yorksmallbusiness #hollytucker #naturalchristmas #yorkmums #yorklife #kidscrafts101 #naturalchildhood #exploringnaturewithchildren #forestschool #natureplay #naturekids #noticepausetreasure #natureschooling #naturecrafts #sharingnatureplay #bishyroad #kidslovenature #ecokids #wildschooling #greenparenting #forestschoolideas #foragingwithkids #familyforaging

Winner! Some rather amazing news… I have just found out that I’ve have won a national award for the ‘Make Space for Girls in Rowntree Park project! This is a ‘Best of the best’ award from GreenFlag Awards for work in engaging older girls in the park and aiming to reverse the drop off of park useage as girls enter their teens. The aim of my project is to make Rowntree Park in York a welcoming space, where teen girls can just ‘be’! I’d love to role out what I’ve done over other parks in York, and elsewhere! It’s been lovely to chat with lots of you on here interested and wanting to find out more, make change in your local areas. Delighted to win this national award for @friendsrowntreepark and also great support from national group ‘Make Space for Girls’. I’m currently looking for funding/sponsorship to be able to run more event and activities for teen girls in 2024, if you know people, send them my way! Take a quick peak at the clip from the online award ceremony. It’s badly filmed on my phone, but gives you a flavour! . . . #makespaceforgirls #empowergirls #girlsandparks #thesegirlscan #yorkevents #yorkkids #whatsonyork #yorkblogger #yorklife #Yorkforfamilies #yorkmums #daysoutyork #love York #yorkpark #rowntreepark #rowntreeparkyork #bishyroad #southbankyork #secretyork #yorklife #whatsonyork #yorkuk #parklife #saferparks #yorkwomen #yorkteens #yorkgirls #bestofthebest #greenflagaward

Our Christmas Nature Craft Kits are perfect for creating memories together. The magic of Christmas is in the build up, spending quality time together and out kit is packed full of resources for you to explore your creativity together. 10 nature based crafts to engage and enthuse those with wide eyes and wild hearts. Limited edition and only £18- p&p it local pick up avaliable: Www.catkinand.co/shop If you are York based, I will be at the South Bank Studios Winter arts & craft fair on 11th Nov, order a kit now and collect on the day - see you there!

Our Christmas Nature Craft Kits are perfect for creating memories together. The magic of Christmas is in the build up, spending quality time together and out kit is packed full of resources for you to explore your creativity together. 10 nature based crafts to engage and enthuse those with wide eyes and wild hearts. Limited edition and only £18. Link to the online store on our profile page - p&p it local pick up avalible If you are York based, I will be at the Southbank Studios fair on 11th Nov, order a kit now and collect on the day - see you there! . . #luxuryeco #christmascraft #christmaskids #yorkchristmas #yorksmallbusiness #hollytucker #naturalchristmas #yorkmums #yorklife #kidscrafts101 #naturalchildhood #exploringnaturewithchildren #forestschool #natureplay #naturekids #noticepausetreasure #natureschooling #naturecrafts #sharingnatureplay #bishyroad #kidslovenature #ecokids #wildschooling #greenparenting #forestschoolideas #foragingwithkids #familyforaging

Breaking my usual feed to share updates on my ‘Make Space for Girls’ in Rowntree Park project… Following the success of the June programme of events, ‘Make Space for Girls’ in Rowntree Park has recently included a free summer holiday programme for older girls funded by the Micklegate Ward. There was art and illustration workshops, photography, film making, zine creation, tik tok dance, and orienteering. Aimed at girls age 10-18 - the ongoing project focuses on trying to reverse the trend that girls use parks less than boys as they enter teenage years. I want Rowntree Park to be welcoming to older girls, and the events have given the girls the opportunity to try new things, pick up new skills, create a community of likeminded individuals and see the park as ‘theirs’. Use of parks has so many benefits physical and mental health and well-being. So what’s next for the project? Two main aims and for both need funds: 1. Events for older girls 2. ‘Play’ equipment/areas the older girls have asked for. So thrilled to see so much interest in the cause, and I love seeing all the older girls in the park having fun! More news coming soon… exciting times! . . . #kidscrafts101 #naturalchildhood #exploringnaturewithchildren #forestschool #natureplay #naturekids #noticepausetreasure #natureschooling #naturecrafts #sharingnatureplay #bishyroad #kidslovenature #ecokids #wildschooling #greenparenting #forestschoolideas #makespaceforgirls #empowergirls #girlsandparks #thesegirlscan #rowntreepark #rowntreeparkyork #bishyroad #parklife #saferparks

Just wow! What a month June has been. My ‘Make Space for Girls’ in Rowntree Park June programme of free events for older girls comes to an end. 30 events and around 250 girls involved from across York. A focus on inspiring and empowering girls, and building supportive networks, and try to reverse the current trend for girls use of parks dropping as they get older l, after all parks are so good for physical & mental health. It’s important older girls feel welcome, and safe, in parks. After all, every girl deserves access to public spaces and the opportunities they offer. The months programme has been fab in raising awareness for the cause too.l and the project continues with two key aims: -Getting some equipment older girls have asked for - More events & activities for older girls Thanks to everyone who has been involved, and all those who attended, and all those who have sent words of support! . . . #naturalchildhood #exploringnaturewithchildren #forestschool #naturekids #natureschooling #bishyroad #kidslovenature #ecokids #wildschooling #greenparenting #forestschoolideas #makespaceforgirls #empowergirls #girlsandparks #thesegirlscan #yorkevents #yorkkids #yorkblogger #yorklife #yorkmums #rowntreepark #southbankyork #yorklife #yorkuk #parklife #saferparks #yorkteens #yorkgirls #empowerwomen

A celebration of Week 3 of my ‘Make Space for Girls’ June programme of events in Rowntree Park! Now onto the final week of this month long free programme of events aimed at getting older girls into the public space and trying new things, meeting new people and feeling empowered! The ongoing project aims to raise awareness that there is a need to improve parks to make them more welcoming for girls. Currently girls use of parks drops after the age of 8, and this can have a detrimental effect on physical and mental health. Girls state not feeling things in the park are for them and not feeling safe/welcome. Therefore based on our local girls feedback, equipment/facilities for older girls and events aimed at them can help create a space that is more welcoming. We want Rowntree Park to be a place where older girls can feel confident and empowered - every girl deserves access to public spaces and the opportunities they offer. Get a bag and support the project! https://rowntreepark.org.uk/fund-us-girls-in-rowntree-park/ . . . #naturalchildhood #exploringnaturewithchildren #forestschool #naturekids #noticepausetreasure #natureschooling #naturecrafts #bishyroad #kidslovenature #ecokids #wildschooling #greenparenting #forestschoolideas #makespaceforgirls #empowergirls #girlsandparks #thesegirlscan #yorkevents #yorkkids #whatsonyork #yorkfamilies #yorkmums #loveyork #rowntreepark #bishyroad #yorklife #saferparks #yorkwomen #yorkteens #yorkgirls #empowerwomen

Wild garlic pesto cauliflower crust pizza.. I shared this on my stories on Friday night, but decided this deserves to make the timeline! This pizza was so delicious, I’m still fantasising about recreating it this weekend! Wild garlic season is here - whoop! Pesto is so simple - leaves, oil, pine nuts and Parmesan blitzed together. Absolutely amazing on focaccia or normal pizza. I’m experimenting with cauliflower pizza as currently doing a vegetarian keto diet - it was delicious! Also having much fun with my new labels maker, best toy ever. Wild garlic is included in our foraging card set - see online shop! What’s your favourite use of wild garlic?

Happy birthday to Catkin & co - for those with wide eyes and wild hearts! It’s been two years since I launched the online shop. A huge thankyou to each and everyone who supports us! Over two years, we evolved, added more products and become more obsessed with foraging and baking! So happy people love what we do! I also LOVE seeing what you all up to with my product. Thank you for all your support -love the Catkin family x

I’m not crying, you’re crying! Nature Wreath Hunt Kit Oh my- seeing these photos and video made my heart melt! This is WHY I started Catkin & co- seeing families engaging together in, and with nature. Remy and his granddad spent an afternoon together with our Nature Wreath Hunt kit. They used the ID cards to gather some items to add to the wreath and then created together. What a masterpiece it is, and all more meaningful as it’s totally theirs. A huge thank you to the awesome Erin @the_walkingmum for sharing this with me. Seriously I shed some happy tears watching her original reel. This is what Christmas is about! (Not me crying…but quality time together with those you love). Nature Hunt Wreath Kits available from our online shop. Limited stock.

Catkin & co are doing the Christmas markets this weekend! Usually I’m just an internet seller but I’m excited to be at York Steiner School advent fair on Saturday 19th and part of the ‘Crafty Crawl’ around the Bishy Rd area of York on Sunday 20th (I’ll be in Rowntree Park) Friends of Rowntree Park If you are coming along to any of the events, do say ‘hi’! If you want a Nature Hunt Wreath Kit do let me know in advance as otherwise I’m not taking them along (as quite big!) Check out my PoS stuff - some of you may recognise your little nature loving little ones! I love receiving pictures of my products being used and enjoyed - please keep sending them - they warm my cockles (and also help me advertise my small business!) Thanks to each and everyone who supports my little business x

ll they want for Christmas is poo!  Of course we have re written the Carey classic here at Catkin & co, but sadly copywriter stops us sharing on Instagram - but i think you can work out how it goes, right? Why not gift the gift of poo this Christmas? Our Woodland Animal Poo Kits are not just wholesome gross fun, there are also a range of learning opportunities too - plus they are beautifully presented! The kit includes a range of items that can be used in the home but also whilst out on walks! Our Poo Kits:  Encourages observational skills  Literacy  Measurement  Food Chains  Helps develop fine motor skills (which help with writing) Suitable for a range of ages 2-10. It really is one for ALL the family! Think you know someone who’d love a Poo Kit? Why not tag them and share the Poo Love! . . . #poodough #yorksmallbusiness ##kidscrafts101 #winterplay#winterplayideas #naturalchildhood #exploringnaturewithchildren #forestschool #exploringnature #naturekids #natureplaymothers #noticepausetreasure #explorenature #natureflashcards #natureschooling #naturecrafts #sharingnatureplay #woodlandwalks #playmakecreate #kidslovenature #decemberplay #yorkkids #onlyinyork #natureplay #walkwithkids #wildchild #naturehunt #explorenature #natureflashcards #festivefun #animaltracking #natureschooling #sensoryplay #naturecrafts #pookit #sharingnatureplay #bishyroad #Christmaskids #ecokids #bestgiftever #naturalchildhood #earlyyearsideas #kidscrafts101 #learningthroughplay

All they want for Christmas is poo! Of course we have re written the Carey classic here at Catkin & co, but sadly copywriter stops us sharing on Instagram - but i think you can work out how it goes, right? Why not gift the gift of poo this Christmas? Our Woodland Animal Poo Kits are not just wholesome gross fun, there are also a range of learning opportunities too - plus they are beautifully presented! The kit includes a range of items that can be used in the home but also whilst out on walks! Our Poo Kits: -Encourages observational skills -Literacy -Measurement -Food Chains -Helps develop fine motor skills (which help with writing) Suitable for a range of ages 2-10. It really is one for ALL the family! Think you know someone who’d love a Poo Kit? Why not tag them and share the Poo Love! . . . #poodough #yorksmallbusiness ##kidscrafts101 #winterplay#winterplayideas #naturalchildhood #exploringnaturewithchildren #forestschool #exploringnature #naturekids #natureplaymothers #noticepausetreasure #explorenature #natureflashcards #natureschooling #naturecrafts #sharingnatureplay #woodlandwalks #playmakecreate #kidslovenature #decemberplay #yorkkids #onlyinyork #natureplay #walkwithkids #wildchild #naturehunt #explorenature #natureflashcards #festivefun #animaltracking #natureschooling #sensoryplay #naturecrafts #pookit #sharingnatureplay #bishyroad #Christmaskids #ecokids #bestgiftever #naturalchildhood #earlyyearsideas #kidscrafts101 #learningthroughplay-

It’s our birthday! We are one year old today -whoop whoop! I can’t believe how quickly it’s gone but also how many amazing people there are out there - thank you for all your support! I’ve loved creating nature cards and kits but what I love most is seeing what you get up to with them! From nature spotting on walks, play set ups, crafting and creating and much more! So I wanted to celebrate you, and quickly threw together a montage of some of the photos you’ve sent me where you are using our nature kits and cards. Thank you each and everyone who has supported Catkin & co - it means so much! We have loved the adventure so far and creating resources for those with 'wide eyes and wild hearts'! A special birthday gift for you coming up tomorrow, let's celebrate! Extra big hugs to those in this montage!

There are so many beautiful Tree Flowers to spot whilst out exploring in nature. Looking for catkins and blossoms adds a unique twist to your time outdoors. It’s perfect mindfulness as you slow down and notice the little things and appreciate the sights and smells. 🌸 Our Tree Flower Cards feature over 20 catkins and blossoms that you are likely to see. In May you can spot horse chestnut, sycamore, apple and cherry blossoms, and rowan. Wonderful hawthorn starts to emerge as well as elder. That’s just some of them - there is so much to see! 🌸 Watching how trees change in the seasons really helps you connect with nature. Maybe pick a few trees and become the ‘Tree Guardian’ and watch them through a year, get to know them and learn about them. 🌸 What’s your favourite tree flower? Mine changed weekly as more emerge! . . . #mentalhealthawarenessweek #treeflowers #crabappleblossom #springflowers #pausenoticetreasure #naturemindfulness #mindfulkids #forestschoolideas #exploreoutdoors #natureplay #walkwithkids #naturewalk #naturehunt #explorenature #natureflashcards #naturekids #greatoutdoors #springcrafts #springplay #naturecrafts #1000hoursoutdoors #walkingwithkids #waldorfinspired #bishyroad #woodlandwalks #ecokids #kidslovenature #naturestreasuretrails #homeeducationuk #flowerplay