Children’s spring activities

As the flowers start to bloom, trees start to bud, and daylight starts to last longer, springtime is the perfect time to encourage children to get involved in fun seasonal activities. From going on nature walks to creating their own eco-friendly bird feeders, spring activities help children connect with the natural world around them as it changes.

In this blog, we’ll be sharing five family-friendly spring activity and craft ideas which can be enjoyed both in and out of the nursery setting, all designed to encourage learning through play.

Spring-themed scavenger hunt

A nature-themed scavenger hunt is the perfect opportunity to take early years children on a mini wildlife adventure! Test children’s observation skills by having them spot various spring elements, such as birds, flowers, or even bugs!

You can also introduce a sensory play element to the hunt which encourages them to explore their senses, for example, asking them to find something that makes a ‘crunch’ sound or something that is blue. Boost the fun even more by singing some nature-themed spring songs along the way!

Egg matching game

This spring craft activity is great for enhancing various areas of a child’s cognitive skills, such as memory and attention span. A huge plus is that this activity can be done both indoors and outdoors so it’s great year-round.

Let creativity flow by decorating matching pairs of cardboard eggs with different patterns and vibrant colours on one side, leaving the other side blank. Flip them over and match the colours and patterns for a simple memory game.

This is a great game for the whole family and is great for older toddlers who are starting to enjoy competition and games.

Plant growing sensory tray

This activity is a wonderful way to introduce children to the beauty of growing plants and nature’s life cycle. Start by filling a large and shallow tray with natural materials like soil, seeds, pinecones and mini garden tools, like scoops and spades. Finish by adding pots or cups which will be used for planting seeds or small plants.

Encourage children to use their hands to touch natural materials in the tray, feel their different textures, and teach them their functions to promote learning. Then gently guide them while planting seeds in the pots; these can be anything from blooming flowers (please check your chosen wildflowers flowers are not poisonous) to smaller leafy vegetables like cress seeds.

Nature’s paint brushes

This hands-on spring activity puts a spin on paint brushes as you know them. Explore the great outdoors, get some fresh air, and collect interesting pieces of fallen nature which will be used to build a paint brush made with nature. This could include sticks (essential for the brush handle), long leaves or spring flowers. Along the way, talk about which pieces of nature will make good painting prints.

Making the paintbrush itself is nice and easy. Simply attach a piece of nature to the end of each of your sticks with string. Grab paper, add coloured paint to pots and use your nature brush to paint art!

Make a mini enchanted garden

Combine imaginative play and creativity by helping your child build their own enchanted mini garden at the base of a tree or in a hollow in the ground. This could be full of fairies, dragons or any other mythical creatures your child loves. Enhance the look of the garden by using ribbons for decoration, twigs for archways and small stones as paths to bring it to life. Collecting and putting these elements together sparks curiosity and enhances children’s fine motor skills.

Leaf crowns

This great activity combines outdoor exploration with imaginative play. Children can create their own leaf crowns by attaching leaves to a strip of cardboard or paper which they can wear. It’s a great way to build confidence and self-expression, while teaching children that nature can be both explored and enjoyed creatively.

Try these fun activities for yourself

Hopefully you’ve now gained more inspiration for fun spring activities to enjoy with your children, which are simple and brilliant ways to enhance learning and development. If you try any of these activities, post your creations and tag us on our social media channels – we’d love to see your spring creations!