The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the flowers are blooming – spring is here! After being cooped up all winter, it’s time to get out and enjoy the warmer temperatures and the new growth of spring. Here are some great activities to do with your kids this spring.
Spring is the perfect time to start your seeds for the summer garden. Have your kids help decide what to grow. If they get involved in the process, they may even be willing to eat the results! Choose from a variety of herbs, flowers, and vegetables. Kids can help fill pots with dirt, plant the seeds, and water them. Put the kids in charge of checking the plants regularly, teaching them how and when to water. When the seeds have sprouted and the weather is warm enough in your area, they can help you transplant them to the garden. Growing plants from seeds is a great way to teach kids about the growing cycle and get some home-grown summer goodness!
April showers bring May flowers, but they don’t have to keep you inside! Embrace your inner child, and take the kids out for a puddle walk. Rain boots and slickers will help keep everyone dry. Kids love splashing in puddles and digging in the mud. Encourage them to touch and explore, look for worms, and get messy. Experiment with creating waves and ripples. Have your kids collect twigs, flowers, grass, and other items to see which ones will float. Have a puddle jumping contest to see who can create the biggest splash! Then take everyone home for a warm bath.
Kids will love watching the birds come to feed in your yard. Create your own bird feeder to attract more birds, and then try to identify the birds with your kids. You can make one using simple items from around the home. A simple idea is to take a pinecone, coat it in peanut butter or lard, and roll it in bird seed. Hang it in a tree for a great treat for the birds! You can also cut a hole in a milk carton, fill it with seeds, and attach a twig for the birds to rest on. Let the kids decorate it however they want! You can experiment with placing different bird seeds in different feeders, and have the keep a log of which birds visit each feeder. If you have a budding photographer, try to position the bird feeder near a window so he can take pictures without disturbing the birds.
What kid doesn’t love bubbles? You can make your own bubble solution by mixing together 1 cup water, 2 tablespoons glycerin, and 4 tablespoons dishwashing liquid. Use old wire coat hangers or pipe cleaners to create your own bubble wands, and let the fun begin! See who can blow the most bubbles in 10 seconds, or who can pop the most!
As the flowers start blooming, preserve their beauty in colorful art projects. First, collect flowers in the late morning, after the dew has dried, and preserve them. You can dry flowers either by pressing them in a book (this can take up to 4 weeks), or hang them upside down to preserve the shape. Once dry, the dried flowers can be used in a variety of objects. Experiment with gluing flowers onto poster board, using sticks and other natural objects. You can place dried flowers between pieces of clear contact paper to make a beautiful window ornament. Be creative! These simple and fun activities will keep your kids busy all season, and are great for all ages!