Hi, I’m Lauren—mom of two, living just outside beautiful Sebago Lake in Maine.
I launched Lake Region Kids Calendar just over six months ago as a way to connect local families with fun, affordable things to do. It’s grown faster than I ever imagined—and whether you’re brand new here or have been following from the start, I thought now was the perfect time to reintroduce myself and share the story behind this little corner of the internet.
The Beginning: A Different Kind of Stay-at-Home Mom Life
In 2020, I left my full-time job to stay home with my kids. Like many parents, I had pictured this season filled with story times, park playdates, and unhurried days with my little ones.
Instead, the world shut down.
I found myself staying home in a much different way—isolated, learning how to juggle life with two young children, and searching for connection in a time when it felt out of reach.
So I leaned into what we could do: we went outside.
We wandered trails, splashed in streams, and hauled babies, toddlers, and all the gear into the woods. It wasn’t always easy, but it was grounding—for my kids, and for me. That connection with nature has shaped how I parent ever since.
From Personal Calendar to Community Tool
When local events and programs started to return, I began seeing them pop up on Facebook—but it was hard to keep track. So I started keeping my own master calendar of anything kid-friendly in the area.
It became my go-to whenever I wanted to get out of the house but didn’t want to think too hard. Eventually, friends started asking about it—and one even said, “Parents would pay for something like this!”
I didn’t feel right charging for access to events that were mostly free and public—but the idea stuck with me.
Creating Something for Our Own Backyard
By the summer of 2024, I had a group of local parents I texted weekly with ideas for outings. Most days, we had someone to meet up with—and it was magic. These were simple, low-pressure outings that gave our kids a chance to play and gave us parents the community we’d been craving.
We had tried a forest playgroup in the Greater Portland area, which we loved in theory—but we often spent more time driving than actually playing. I dreamed of something like that closer to home.
So I started Lake Region Nature Playgroup, a local, outdoor-based gathering that quickly grew by word of mouth. As it expanded, local businesses began reaching out, asking if they could advertise or sponsor what we were doing.
At first, I said no. It was still just a passion project—a free resource I wanted to share with local families.
But after the sixth request, I realized: maybe this was the start of something bigger.
And That’s How Lake Region Kids Calendar Was Born
I launched Lake Region Kids Calendar as a website in January 2025 with two main goals:
- ✅ To become a trusted, go-to resource for local families looking for things to do
- ✅ To support local businesses that want to connect with families in the Sebago Lake region
Our family’s love for the outdoors—and the way nature has shaped our everyday life—is woven throughout this platform. From stroller-friendly hikes and hidden nature trails to free concerts and community festivals, I wanted to make it easier for parents to get out, explore, and create lasting memories with their kids.
What You’ll Find Here
Today, Lake Region Kids Calendar is more than just a list of events. It’s:
- 🗓 A searchable calendar of family-friendly happenings across 20+ towns
- 💌 A weekly email newsletter with handpicked events, hidden gems, and featured businesses
- 🌲 A blog filled with trail reviews, tips for outings, and real-life encouragement for parents
- 🛍 A platform for local businesses to share their services with families who want to support them
Whether you’re a parent of littles, a grandparent planning a visit, or a caregiver looking for fresh ideas—this space is for you.
How to Make the Most of It
Since launching in January 2025, Lake Region Kids Calendar has already reached:
- 💻 10,600+ website views
- 💌 200+ newsletter subscribers
- 🤝 Nearly 1,000 combined followers on Instagram and Facebook
- 🌲 Almost 500 families in our Lake Region Nature Playgroup Facebook group
This tells me one thing: parents like you are looking for simple ways to connect, explore, and enjoy more of what our region has to offer. I’m so honored to be part of that journey.
If you’re new here, here’s how to get started:
- 🗓 Bookmark the calendar: Calendar
- 💌 Subscribe to the newsletter: Subscribe
- 📲 Follow on social: Instagram | Facebook
- 🛍 Advertise with us: Inquire Here!
Thanks for being here. I hope this site helps you discover new adventures, create sweet memories, and feel a little more connected to the incredible community we’re lucky to call home.
Let’s make raising kids in Maine more joyful—together.
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