20+ Spring Activities for Kids
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With the changing of the seasons, it’s time to think of some fun spring activities to do with the kids. Whether it’s exploring spring flowers, creating a new sensory bin, or making some spring crafts, gathering and bookmarking spring activity ideas is par for the course for moms. We want to play with our kids as well as free them up to explore on their own.
Some of our favorite spring activities for kids include our new-and-improved Easter Egg Hunt, creating stained glass-style Window Clings, and exploring the great outdoors with a Nature Scavenger Hunt. Which one will you try this week with your kids?
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Spring is the perfect time to enjoy the change of weather and mood with your family. Time to shake off the heaviness of winter and get outdoors! Go berry picking, look for shells along the shore, or hike the nearest hill.
While there’s no end to outdoor sensory play, should rain keep you inside, there are many spring-themed paper crafts and activities kids will enjoy.
I’ve rounded up some of our family’s tried-and-true spring activities for kids so that you can enjoy these art activities and outdoor adventures easily and without a lot of fuss. There are so many great spring play ideas to explore with your children!
Why Do This
Kids learn best by doing, so getting them outside to explore the changing seasons, dig in the garden, and enjoy warmer days is perfect for this time of year. Let them choose a plant at Lowe’s to plant in the back yard or set the picnic table for dining al fresco.
Fresh air and light are good for everyone. Research shows that sunlight not only helps our moods but also has a positive effect on our sleep and our ability to focus and fight germs — all things that kids really need! Spring is an ideal time to set some new habits for light exposure.
Kids need to move. Even I’m getting stir-crazy after what seems like a long, cold, and wet winter. It’s time to move and enjoy a new season. Take a walk, ride a bike, or otherwise get moving with your kids.
Tips for Success
Don’t spend a lot of money. Spring activities for kids don’t have to cost a lot of money. There’s so much that you can do for FREE. You don’t need to pay for expensive camps or sporting events for your kids to have a great childhood. Don’t forget to check out our Practically Free Family Night Ideas to Try with Your Kids.
You don’t need to direct it all too much. After raising six very different children, I’ve learned the hard way. Too much planning will frustrate all of you. You just need to make some opportunities available. Kids enjoy the freedom to explore, whether it’s practicing fine motor skills planting seeds or folding tissue paper flowers, or just running around an open field, trying to fly a kite.
Do things with them. Your presence and attention are way more important than any fancy gadgets. Keep your spring activities for kids doable for both you and them. A simple walk around the park while you ask questions about what they see is enough.
Plan for inclement weather. Despite the change of season, you may still have days when getting outside isn’t feasible. Plan for spring-themed activities indoors, such as coloring sheets, baking and cooking activities, crafts, and sensory bins. That said, don’t hesitate to splash together in some puddles when it rains, too.
Plan together. Download this free printable Spring To Do List (get access to our free resource library when you sign up for the mailing list) and then brainstorm with your family all the different things that you can do together this season. Including kids in your plans increases your chances of a good outcome!
FAQs
Spring officially begins March 20 in the northern hemisphere, while it begins around September 22 or 23 south of the celestial equator.
Spring activities typically involve new growth and getting out of doors. Consider visiting a farmer’s market, going berry picking, flying kites, or exploring local gardens and parks.
Kids love to explore, touch, and do. Walking through a no-touching art museum is not an ideal spring activity for kids, especially after they’ve been cooped up inside all winter. Think outdoors with lots of ability to move. Picnics, nature walks, blowing bubbles, and water play are all good options. If you can go berry picking, that’s super fun!
While it falls technically before the first day of spring, these St. Patrick’s Day activities for kids can get the ball rolling. And don’t forget all the ways you can be preparing for Easter as a family.
Recommended Activities
Check out these fun play ideas and spring activities for kids.
Mud & Worm Dirt Cupcakes
Nature Scavenger Hunt: Free Printable
How to Make a Beach Cake
Give a S’mores Kit as a Fun Gift
Time to Pop Some Corn (Recipe: Junk Food Popcorn)
How to Make a Lightsaber
Playing a Game of Chopped for Kids
Decoupage Candle Holders
Homemade Finger Paint
Make an Empty Tomb Cake for Easter
Jesus Cookies for Easter (Recipe: Cinnamon Sugar Cookies)
Bird Watching with Kids
Flowery Things to Make with the Kids (Craft: Flower Hat)
Display Your Child’s Bouquet with a Mini DIY Flower Vase
DIY on a Dime: Satin Flower Hair Clips
DIY on a Dime: Flower Pot Place Cards
DIY on a Dime: Easter Confetti Eggs
DIY on a Dime: Chocolate Marshmallow Eggs
DIY on a Dime: Embroidery Floss Eggs
DIY on a Dime: Spring Salt Dough Candle Holders
10+ Simple Ways to Prepare for Easter as a Family
Creative Easter Egg Hunt Prizes for Big & Little Kids
Children’s Books to Read for Easter
Homemade Window Clings
The days are long, but the years are, indeed, short. Make the most of your time with your peeps with fun spring activities for kids!
What works for you?
Leave a comment below and let us know what works for you.
This post was originally published March 19, 2012. It has been updated for content and clarity.
Thank you for your inspiration. I pray our families learn from your willingness to share. I blogged about you, your site and blog on this- hope that is okay 🙂
Here it is
http://lifeasachildrensminister.blogspot.com/2012/03/spring-to-do-list.html
Thanks for your kind words, Tara!
We do what we call ‘spring celebration’ the first Saturday after the first day of spring. We make easter bunny cinnamon rolls, present a family goodies basket and usually have some spring like activities to do that day. I like the suggestions you made here as well. I might include one or two this Saturday!
Around here, spring begins on the first day its warm enough to walk to the gas station for a round of slupees and this Sunday was the day. Other activities include bike rides, and walks to the Library. Ice-cream at a mom and pop shop, and this year it will include camping in the bought with cash tent trailer we purchased last summer.
Thanks for the downloads and inspiration to make the most of spring…i read your article on making adventure bags again and took another printout…my sister and her kids are coming to visit soon,(been 3.5 years since we last met) and so making a bag or two would be a great idea…
We are going to a Flower and Garden Show this weekend! That is a wonderful way to start the beginning of spring. We have lots of biking with picnic days and walking with picnic days planned too. Your list sounds great. I hope you get to do it all with your sweet family!
God bless, Kathy in Illinois
Thanks so much for the printable list. I’ve already downloaded it and printed it off. Wonderful inspiration for the Spring. Thanks. I pinned it 🙂
Thanks for the pin! Enjoy!
Have you watched “A very long engagement” or “The Malabar Princess”? Both charming.
Here’s a neat list to start from (not all French, but all foreign)
Sorry, my attachemnt disorder strikes again!
http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2009/12/the_best_foreign_films_of_2009.html