Spring is a great time to get outside with kids, but sometimes they need a little help to jumpstart their outdoor play. These simple activities will inspire LOTS of creative fun this spring!
Spring is COMING! It’s been snowing at my house, but in the next few days spring is supposed to FINALLY arrive and we’ll have temperatures in the seventies! (Utah weather is so weird in the spring months.)
If your family is anything like mine, they’re itching to get outside and enjoy some sunshine and warm weather. We can’t wait for picnics, park trips, and bike rides.
Getting outside has tons of benefits for both kids and adults, but people today spend less time outside on average than any previous generation. Let’s change that!
Not sure where to start? Try one of these simple ideas to inspire outdoor play this spring.
Keep in mind, you don’t always have to provide structured activities for kids to do outside. Making up their own fun is a critical skill, too. But sometimes they need a little push to get them out the back door.
Prep these activities in advance to keep on hand for whenever you have a nice day this spring, use them to draw your kids outside with you, and you might be amazed by how their own imaginations keep them outdoors long after your planned activity is done!
On to the ideas!
Activities to do with kids outside this spring
1. Go on scavenger hunts
When the weather is good, scavenger hunts are a great way to get out of the house, get some exercise, and learn with your kids. Take your kids on a walk around the block, or go visit a local park or botanical garden, or really any outdoor location. Get access to FIVE free printable scavenger hunts here:
- Shape scavenger hunt: helps kids observe and analyze the world around them.
- Rainbow scavenger hunt: fun to see how many different colors you can find in nature
- Alphabet scavenger hunt: can be used indoors or outdoors!
- Neighborhood scavenger hunt: perfect for a quick walk around the block
- Counting scavenger hunt: awesome for when you want kids to stay in the stroller
2. Create tie-dye coffee filter art
This is such a simple art project, but it’s so fun for kids. I know an activity is going to be a hit with my kids when it involves letting use spray bottles! Just invite your kids to color any (simple) design they want on a coffee filter using washable markers. Then spray their colorful “canvas” to get it nice and wet. The colors will bleed together, and once it dries, it’s a beautiful art piece! Get more details on this project and tips for success over at Sunshine and Munchkins.
3. Make bubble snakes
Have you ever made a bubble snake? They are like magic! Bonus…they’re a great way to use up that sad pile of lost, single socks haunting your laundry room. Just cut the bottom off of a plastic bottle (I’ve found sturdy sports drink or soda bottles work better than the really thin, cheapy water bottles), put a sock over the cut-off end, and tape or rubber band it in place. Dip the sock in bubble solution and blow. A long bubble snake will come out the other end! Tip: Have kids practice blowing out before using the soap. You don’t want to inhale the soapy bubbles! Click here for the full tutorial at Sunshine and Munchkins.
4. Play with sidewalk chalk
Sidewalk chalk is a warm weather staple at our house. Kids love it! Let your kids draw to their heart’s content…or try something different. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Draw a sidewalk chalk city complete with roads, houses, and more! Bring your favorite cars and trucks outside and go on a grand adventure through your mini world.
- Play STOMP to learn just about anything. Write out numbers, letters, words, or shapes and have kids race to STOMP on the one you call out. There are so many ways to adapt this game!
- Make a life-size board game on the ground (think Candy Land). You can keep it basic, and just roll a dice to move forward spaces until you get to the end or have the kids add creative twists and short cuts.
For more sidewalk chalk games click here!
5. Grow seeds…in a bag!
Teach kids how seeds sprout into plants with this simple science experiment. We plant a garden each year, and my kids love to watch their precious little plants grow, but this experiment is awesome because it helps kids see the part of the process that usually happens under the soil. Place a few seeds in a plastic zip top bag along with a wet paper towel, and tape the bag to a sunny window. Within a few days, you’ll see the seeds sprout right before your eyes! Click here for more details from Sunshine and Munchkins.
6. Color explosions
What kid doesn’t love a classic baking soda and vinegar experiment? This colorful version from Sunshine and Munchkins is perfect for taking outside this spring…less mess and easier clean up. Yes, please! Get all the details here.
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