Winter Break

As the year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to celebrate all the growth, laughter, and learning that filled our classrooms in 2025. It’s been a wonderful year of discovery, connection, and community. We’re beyond grateful to have been able to share it with our amazing families.

Both Nestling House locations will be closed for Winter Break from December 24th through January 1st. During this time, our team will rest, recharge, and spend time with loved ones as we prepare for another exciting year ahead.

Also, the new year brings an exciting change, Ella will be stepping into the role of Director at our Herman location! After serving as Assistant Director and training under Lindsay, she’s excited to continue supporting our staff, families, and children in this new position. Many of you already know her, and we’re thrilled to see her leadership and care guide Nestling House into 2026.

We wish all of our families a warm, safe, and joyful winter break. Thank you for being part of our Nestling House community and we can’t wait to see everyone on January 2nd!

Tips for Cooking with Kids

Inviting children into the kitchen isn’t about perfect recipes, it’s about connection, confidence, and joyful learning. When we slow down and let children help, we support independence, problem-solving, and a lifelong positive relationship with food. With Winter Break coming up quickly, here are simple ways to make cooking with kids meaningful and stress-free:

1. Start with Achievable Tasks

Young children thrive when they feel capable.

• Washing produce

• Stirring batter

• Tearing lettuce

• Scooping and pouring

2. Offer Choices to avoid Chaos

Instead of asking, “What should we make?” try:

• “Bananas or strawberries?”

• “Would you like to stir or sprinkle?”

Small choices support autonomy while keeping the process calm.

3. Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome

Flour will spill. Batter will be lumpy. That’s learning. Try narrating what’s happening:

“The dough feels sticky—what do you notice?”

Children build sensory awareness, language, and confidence when the goal isn’t perfection.

4. Slow Down and Make Space

Cooking takes longer with little helpers and that’s okay!

• Start when you’re not rushed

• Prep a few ingredients ahead

• Keep steps short and predictable

5. Invite Exploration Through the Senses

Sensory play supports curiosity and self-regulation. The kitchen is a natural classroom:

• Smell herbs

• Touch soft vs. crunchy

• Listen to sizzling

• Observe colors changing

6. Use Real Tools, Safely

Children are more careful when trusted, teach skills slowly and model safety without fear-based language.

• Child-safe knives

• Small whisks

• Non-slip bowls

• Step stools with support

7. Celebrate Effort, Not Appearance

Skip “That looks perfect!” and try:

• “You worked hard to mix that.”

• “You kept trying even when it was tricky.”

Cooking with kids is less about the recipe and more about the relationship. When we invite children to participate, we communicate: you are capable, you belong here, and your contribution matters.

Fan Favorites from Mr. John

Mr. John is the Chef for both the Howell and Herman center. He brings an unending amount of joy to everyone by bringing us all together with the delicious, nutritious, and innovative food he makes. This list is a few favorite that the kids (and staff) talk about regularly”

Sloppy Mr. Johns

This plant-based take on sloppy joes uses lentils simmered in a rich, slightly sweet tomato sauce with molasses and spices. The lentils give it heartiness, and the sauce brings deep, comforting flavor without relying on processed meat.

Unstuffed cabbage rolls

This cozy, one-pot version of a classic cabbage roll feels like a hug on a plate. Instead of rolling tiny parcels, you simmer ground meat (or a plant-based substitute) with chopped cabbage, tomatoes, onion, and garlic—so all the flavor of traditional stuffed cabbage rolls, without the fuss.

Pea Pesto Pasta

This vibrant pasta is a gentle twist on traditional pesto: instead of pine nuts alone, it uses green peas to make a creamy, protein-rich base. Tossed with pasta, bright basil-parsley pesto, garlicky sun-dried tomatoes, and peppery arugula, it’s a 30-minute meal that’s both comforting and lively.

Zucchini and Corn Fritters

These fritters are delightful little handheld bites — crisp on the outside, tender in the middle. Grated zucchini is squeezed to remove moisture, then mixed with corn, cheese, flour, and a few simple seasonings to make a flavorful batter.

Homemade, Natural Playdough

At Nestling House, we believe in play that’s simple, meaningful, and deeply connected to the natural world. Playdough is a huge part of childhood, here is a recipe from the Happy Toddler Club about how to make a taste-safe version of a classic!

What you’ll need

• 1/2 cup of boiling water

• 1/2 cup of flour

• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar

• 1/4 cup of salt

• 1.5 teaspoon of canola oil

• food coloring, kool-aid, or natural dyeing medium

Instructions

1. In a pot, mix the water and the coloring agent, then bring it to a gentle boil

2. While the water heats, combine the dry ingredients in a separate bowl

3. Once the colored water is removed from the heat, stir in the oil

4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the pot, stirring continuously until the mixture comes together into a doughy ball

5. Let the dough cool enough to handle, then knead it until it’s smooth and no longer sticky. Lightly flouring your hands can help prevent it from sticking.

6. Enjoy a fun-filled activity!

Natural Material Winter Crafts

As the weather gets colder, we love finding creative, child-led ways to bring warmth, play, and exploration into our days. Here are a few ideas to try at home!

Pinecone Snowmen

Pinecones are a true winter staple here in Wisconsin, and they make the perfect base for seasonal creativity. Start with a simple nature walk, local parks and trails are great places for children to gather pinecones of all shapes and sizes. Once you’ve collected your favorites, bring them inside and transform them into little pinecone snowmen using materials like googly eyes, pipe cleaners, buttons, glitter, or anything you have on hand. This activity invites imagination, fine-motor work, and lots of cozy winter fun.

Twig Snowflakes

Bundle up for another nature walk, this time on the lookout for a variety of small sticks and twigs. After collecting an assortment, bring them together by gluing the ends or centers to form a star shape. Children can attach smaller twigs to build a more intricate snowflake design or keep it simple and decorate the star as it is. Natural materials offer so many possibilities, and each snowflake will turn out beautifully unique.

Ice Painting

This project requires a little prep, but the results are always worth it. Start by filling an ice tray (or silicone molds, egg cartons, or any container with small wells) with water mixed with food coloring, acrylic paint, or natural dyes like pomegranate juice or turmeric. Insert a popsicle stick into each section and freeze overnight. Once solid, children can use the colorful ice blocks as paint brushes to create swirling, melting winter art while exploring temperature, color mixing, and sensory play.