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With the weather warming up, spring is a great time for parents and children to finally step outside and enjoy the outdoors together. As the temperature goes up and nature comes to life, there are endless possibilities for fun and engaging activities.
I know I have been long awaiting spending more time outdoors and so has my little! The winters always seem so long. If you are as eager to get outside and play as we have been, this post is for you! Here are some great activities to do with your little ones outside this spring.
1. Nature Treasure Hunt
Create a simple list of easy-to-find items like colorful flowers, smooth rocks, or big leaves. Your list can even be in picture form if that’s better for your younger kiddo! Take your little one to a nearby park or garden and let them explore while searching for these treasures. It’s a fun way to introduce them to nature and do something different and fun.
2. Picnic Fun
Pack a picnic basket with toddler-friendly snacks like sandwiches, fruit slices, and juice boxes. Find a shady spot in the park, spread out a blanket, and have a mini picnic with your little one. They’ll love eating outdoors and watching birds and squirrels. Invite a mom friend for some extra fun and watch your children have a ball playing in the park afterward! This is a fun one you’ll both want to do again and again.
3. Plant a Garden
Get your hands dirty and teach your child about gardening by planting flowers, herbs, or vegetables together. Show your toddler how to plant seeds in their own small pot or garden bed. Let them dig in the soil, sprinkle seeds, and water them gently. It’s a hands-on activity that teaches them about growth and is also a valuable learning experience that fosters a connection to nature.
4. Bike Ride Adventure
Take a family bike ride through scenic trails or around your neighborhood. Make it a fun adventure by planning a route with interesting stops along the way, like a playground or an ice cream shop. Don’t forget to wear helmets and practice bike safety!
This Schwinn toddler bike seat is our favorite. It holds up to 40 lbs, and is secure and comfortable!
A bike trailer can also be a great option especially if you have multiple kiddos!
5. Sidewalk Chalk Art
Use colorful sidewalk chalk to create drawings and doodles on your driveway or sidewalk. Let your toddler scribble and explore their artistic side outdoors. It’s easy to clean up and provides endless creative fun. Sidewalk chalk is a great gift to throw in your toddler’s Easter basket this spring!
6. Outdoor Art Session
If you don’t have an area to use sidewalk chalk or you’re looking for something different, try setting up an outdoor art station with easels, paints, brushes, and canvases! Let your kiddo unleash their creativity as they paint with the beauty of nature around them. Encourage them to create their own masterpieces inspired by spring. Don’t forget to Ooo and Aw over their elaborate scribbles!
7. Bubble Play
I haven’t met a kid who doesn’t love bubbles! Step outside, blow some bubbles, and watch your toddler giggle with delight as they try to catch and pop them. Use a bubble machine for continuous bubbles or let your toddler dip a wand in a bubble solution and blow their own bubbles.
If you have younger toddlers, Fubbles is a no-spill bubble option that they can do themselves! That’s a win-win for everyone.
8. Nature Collage
Collect natural items like leaves, flowers, and sticks during a nature walk with your toddler, or even just scout your backyard! Help them glue these items onto paper to create a beautiful collage. It’s a sensory-rich activity that celebrates the beauty of spring, it’s also super fun for kiddos to bring the outside in!
9. Outdoor Water Play
If it’s warm enough outside, set up a small kiddie pool or water table in your backyard for splashy fun. Let your toddler play with water toys, cups, and containers. The sensory activities with water play are endless. Make sure you supervise closely for safety and enjoy the laughter and excitement that these simple activities bring!
10. Storytime in the Park
Pack a favorite storybook and a blanket, then head to a nearby park for outdoor storytime. Read aloud to your toddler while they enjoy storytime under the open sky, surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature around them. Pick a storybook that is about the outdoors and act out parts of the story for added fun while you identify things from the book all around you!
11. Simple Nature Exploration
Take leisurely walks with your toddler in local parks or nature trails. Point out birds, flowers, and trees, and encourage them to touch and explore different textures. This is a great way to engage all the senses and acts as a wonderful learning tool for littles. Try to pick areas with less crowds so your child has an optimal chance to explore!
12. Stargazing Campout
Plan a backyard campout with your child on a clear spring night. Set up with some blankets outside and lay on them while you gaze at the night sky together! Have a fire, make some smores, tell stories, or read a book by flashlight. This is super fun and creates some great memories for parents and children alike.
These spring activities not only provide quality bonding time with your child but also encourage exploration, creativity, and a deeper connection to the natural world. All of these activities are wonderful to engage the senses, serve as great sensory activities, and are just lots of fun!
With spring comes new growth and new opportunities to be had. Make sure you allow yourself and your kiddos to explore everything this new season has to offer. Get outside, soak up the sunshine, and make lasting memories together this spring as you explore the great outdoors!
What are some of your favorite outdoor spring activities?
XOXO,
Katie
