Now in its eighth year, the Tinkergarten Lantern Walk is a beloved fall tradition that helps families embrace change and head into the winter with a renewed sense of hope, joy and gratitude. 

Though we can't host our lantern walks in person this year, we're keeping that glorious feeling of community alive with a whole week of virtual events. Check out the full schedule below and be sure to sign up at tinkergarten.com/lantern-walk to get your very own lantern walk toolkit.

Monday, October 26

Lantern Walk Week Kick Off with Tinkergarten Founders

3pm ET on Facebook & Instagram Live

Co-Founders Meghan and Brian Fitzgerald will talk about the evolution of the annual Tinkergarten Lantern Walk, a beloved fall tradition they started nearly a decade ago, explain how we’re making it work—and even making it special—during a pandemic, and touch on all that’s in store for the week ahead. 

Enter Our Lantern-Making Contest

9pm ET on Instagram

Check out our Instagram account for directions on how to enter this contest, which will encourage families to make their own lanterns and share them on Instagram for a chance to win special prizes.

Tuesday, October 27

Lantern-Making Demos Go Live

9pm ET on Instagram

Check out a series of videos by Tinkergarten Leader Emmaline Rosenthal, breaking down the steps to make three different types of fall lanterns. After watching, you’ll be all set to DIY them at home with your family. Check out this first step-by-step guide to creating a papier-mâché leaf lantern before all three videos go live on Tuesday evening.

Wednesday, October 28

Live Telling of “The Lantern Prince” with David from Sparkle Stories

7:30pm ET on Sparkle Stories Facebook Live and Instagram Live

We’re thrilled to partner with Sparkle Stories, an organization that creates original audio stories for children in order to inspire wonder, kindness, respect and delight. Tinkergarten Co-Founder and Chief Learning Office Meghan Fitzgerald will join Sparkle Stories’ Chief Creative Office David Sewell McCann for a live conversation before a live telling of “The Lantern Prince,” a charming tale about the importance of kindness.

Thursday, October 29

Poetry and Lantern-Making with Nicolette from Wilder Child

11am ET on Wilder Child Facebook Live

A longtime friend of Tinkergarten, Nicolette Sowder is the founder of Wilder Child, a resource that inspires families to make art, adventure outdoors and engage in nature-based activities. Meghan will join Nicollete for a discussion about a variety of lantern walk traditions, ways to celebrate the full moon and how to create inner warmth as the weather gets colder. Nicolette will also share her own approach to lantern-making as well as one of her original poems.

Friday, October 30

Lantern-Making Demo with Carla from Loose Parts Play

11am ET on Loose Parts Play Facebook Live

Tinkergarten Leader Carla Gull is also the founder of Loose Parts Play, a community that supports families in nurturing children’s creativity through loose parts play. Meghan will join Carla to demonstrate different ways to make lanterns to take on your walk.

Saturday, October 31 

We’re taking the day off from Lantern Walk celebrations to focus on Halloween. If you’re not sure how to make Halloween special in the year of COVID, download our HalloWEEK activity guide for seven full days of activities kids are sure to love. 

Sunday, November 1

Tinkergarten Co-Founders Announce Contest Winners

2pm ET on Facebook & Instagram Live 

Brian and Meghan will highlight which lanterns made by our community were: 

• most hopeful 
• most kid-made
• used the most nature treasures
• brought the biggest smiles 

Lantern Walks Begin!

Dusk all across the country

Make sure you’ve signed up to get your very own Lantern Walk toolkit. Then head out with your family, friends and/or neighbors and share the experience with us by tagging @tinkergarten in your Instagram posts and Stories.