Springtime is almost here, and that means longer days and more sunshine. With the temperature warming up, it's an excellent time to get the kids outside for a spring activity. The season is one of the best for adding physical activity and fun learning opportunities into your child's typical day, while having a lot of fun together too!
Read on for some spring activities you can try with your kids in the coming months:
Plant a garden or some flowers
Most kids love getting their little hands dirty, and what better way to do that than by digging in the dirt! Growing a vegetable garden is a great way to do this while also teaching them the science behind growing them in a fun way. Depending on what size space you have, you can start with a small garden or even just a few pots. Let your child pick out some fruits, veggies or even flowers at the store. They can then help you water and care for the plants. They’ll be so excited to see the seedlings sprout in no time!
Go on a nature walk
The annual bloom of spring wildflowers is one of the most beautiful signs of spring's arrival. Find a local hiking trail and see how many different wildflowers your kids can find. They may also want to collect some leaves of different shapes and sizes to create a collage with once you get home. This is a great way to teach them about the different colors and shapes found in nature as well as create a fun art project.
Go on a spring scavenger hunt
I used to do this with my children when they were little. I'd create a nature scavenger hunt list to keep them interested and engaged on our hikes. When they were really little (pre reading) I would print up a scavenger hunt list with images of the items they could search for. I'd add items such as: a rabbit, a flying bird, another hiker, a tiny pebble, a large flat rock, a trail sign. You can make the list as simple or challenging as you want. You can help your child to appreciate this season by encouraging them to be alert to their senses during the scavenger hunt by including items such as: running water, a bird singing, the sound of leaves rustling, etc.
Have a picnic
A picnic in the park or even in your backyard is a fun way to enjoy the warmer temperature of the spring season. Be sure to get your kids involved in the preparations! Kids can help prepare the spring picnic by helping to plan out what you’re going to eat and drink. They can help cut the fruit, make the sandwiches, and pour the drinks. They can also help by packing everything in a bag or picnic basket and laying out the blanket too.
Build a bird feeder
A bird feeder can be simple in style or more intricate to appeal to the abilities of kids of any age to make. There are so many different ways to make bird feeders. For younger kids, you can have them spread peanut butter on a pine cone, a toilet paper roll, an ice cream cone, or the inside of a hollowed out orange half. They can then dip it in birdseed to stick the seeds to the object they've selected Once the item is covered in birdseed, tie a string to it and hang it on a tree. Older kids can, with adult supervision, construct a birdhouse made with wood pieces or craft sticks. Let your imaginations run wild! Your children will have fun watching the different birds come by to feed on their creation.
Other fun spring activities
- Fly kites
- Visit a farm or petting zoo
- Go on a bike ride
- Make spring-themed crafts like paper flowers or butterfly decorations
- Feed the ducks at your local pond
