Happy first day of spring! 🌸
March 20th marks the official start of a season filled with blooming flowers, warmer weather, and the perfect opportunity to get outside and have some fun with the kids. As we step into this fresh, exciting time of year, it's the perfect moment to embrace all the wonderful outdoor activities spring has to offer. From nature walks to crafting with leaves, there are endless ways to help children connect with nature, express their creativity, and get moving outdoors. Here are some fun and simple spring activities you can try with your little ones this season!
1. Nature Scavenger Hunt
Spring is bursting with life, making it the ideal time for a nature scavenger hunt! Take the kids outside and create a list of items they need to find, like a bright green leaf, a flower, a rock, or a bird’s feather. You can even make it a color hunt—“find something red” or “find something soft.” This activity not only sparks curiosity but also encourages kids to pay attention to the natural world around them, helping develop their observation skills. Plus, it’s a great way to get their energy out while they explore!
2. Flower Printing with Nature
Who says springtime fun can’t be a bit artistic? Collect some of the beautiful flowers, leaves, and grasses that are beginning to bloom and turn them into colorful prints! Lay the natural materials on a piece of paper, cover them with a cloth, and gently press or hammer to create beautiful impressions. It’s an easy way to combine outdoor exploration with creativity. Your kids will love making their own nature-inspired masterpieces while learning about the textures and patterns in the world around them.
3. Sensory Nature Walk
Spring is the perfect time for a sensory-filled outdoor adventure! Take the children on a nature walk and invite them to touch, smell, and hear everything around them. Ask them to feel the texture of tree bark, listen to the chirping birds, and smell the flowers or fresh grass. Afterward, they can talk about what they experienced, and even draw pictures in their nature journals! It’s a wonderful way to encourage mindfulness, help them develop their senses, and give them a deeper connection to the season.
4. Outdoor Art with Chalk
What could be more fun than turning the sidewalk into a giant canvas? With some colorful sidewalk chalk, your kids can create all sorts of drawings, patterns, or even hopscotch grids. The best part? It’s a mess-free way to do art! Draw together, make a giant mural, or leave messages of spring cheer for everyone to see. Plus, the chalk is easy to wash off, making it a perfect activity for a sunny spring day!
5. DIY Wind Chimes
Spring breezes are the perfect backdrop for making your own wind chimes! Collect sticks, beads, buttons, and other materials to create a simple and beautiful set of chimes. Help your little ones string them together and then hang them up on a tree branch. The gentle sound of the chimes in the wind is magical, and it’s a great way for kids to engage in hands-on crafting. Plus, they’ll feel so proud every time the wind makes their chimes ring!
6. Nature Collage
Turn a nature walk into an artistic adventure! Collect leaves, flowers, sticks, and stones, and then return to your outdoor space to create a nature collage. Spread out some paper and let the kids glue their findings into fun shapes and designs. This simple but engaging activity promotes fine motor skills, creativity, and an appreciation for nature. You can even give the kids a theme, like “Create a Spring Garden,” to spark their imagination!
7. Leaf Rubbing Art
One of the easiest and most fun outdoor crafts is leaf rubbing! Collect various leaves, place them under a sheet of paper, and have your little ones rub crayons or pencils over the top to reveal their intricate patterns. It’s like magic! They’ll love seeing how each leaf creates a unique design. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to teach kids about textures, shapes, and nature’s
patterns all while getting crafty outside.
8. Springtime Storytime Outdoors
Take your story time outside this spring! Grab a blanket, find a shady tree, and settle in for a relaxing outdoor reading session. Choose spring-themed books about flowers, animals, or outdoor adventures, and let the children dive into the world of imagination. After reading, you can bring the story to life by acting out some of the scenes or drawing pictures based on the story. It’s a peaceful, engaging way to enjoy both literature and nature together!
