11 Spring activities for Kids

Spring is a magical time of year; it is the season of renewal and growth, and with it comes a variety of new animal babies and seasonal behaviours. From lambs being born, frog calls, and birds chirping in the trees to butterflies fluttering about, there is never a shortage of life during spring!

Each animal is vital to the ecosystem, making appreciating and protecting them all the more important.

Ways to incorporate Spring Animals into your little one's learning: 

Personal, Social and Emotional development 

Nature walks

Discussing seasons with your little one supports their understanding of the world. They explore, think and talk about all the changes in the weather, see changes in the plants in the garden or the park, and all the changes that happen to their surroundings and landscape. 

Take your little one on a nature walk to observe their local areas and the animals they can see, such as butterflies, bees, and birds. Talk about what you see, hear and smell to encourage them to talk about the environment.

Ask open-ended questions starting with how, why, when etc., to promote curiosity, critical thinking and language skills and to ask questions themselves. Engage them in conversations about the different animals and insects they encounter and their behaviours. 

In addition, nature walks are an excellent opportunity to practice mindful walking. This mindfulness technique involves slowing down and focusing on the body's sensations. This can help children develop a sense of calmness and serenity while connecting them with nature and their sense of self and emotions. It can also aid your little one's sensorimotor development, this is a skill that helps your little one learn all about the world around them.

Life Cycles

There is a wonderful opportunity to teach your children about growth in spring. Share with them how new animals come into the world, how caterpillars become butterflies, and how frogs lay eggs, compared to cows and humans, who are mammals and carry their babies in their tummies. 

To reinforce their understanding of this process, bring out their baby photos and those of yourself, your partner, or other women who have been pregnant.

Then, as you stand together in front of a mirror, talk about the many changes that have taken place since then and the many accomplishments that your child has achieved, such as the transition from crawling to walking, then to running.

Go to your local farm

Nowadays, city farms are widespread, well-liked, and budget-friendly - some are even free! So take your little one to visit one of these local farms to discover more about the animals that populate the spring season and their vital role in the natural world.

Physical development

Bird feeders 

Bird feeders are an easy and fun way to bring birds to your garden or balcony, and children can make their own with an apple filled with peanut butter and bird seed. It may take some time for birds to get used to the feeder, but once they do, they will return regularly if food is supplied.

Animal crafts

Provide your little one with materials such as paper, cardboard, construction paper, feathers, and paint, to create their own spring-inspired animal crafts! For example, ask them to make their own bunny ears, butterfly wings, or a birdhouse.

This allows children to express themselves creatively and deepen their connection with spring animals. It also supports your little one with the development of their fine motor skills which are a part of their physical development as they learn to use one-handed tools such as a paintbrush and pen.

Butterfly Feeder

Create a DIY butterfly feeder using a plate or a jar lid with a sponge soaked in sugar water.

Bird Watching

Create your own binoculars from toilet or paper towel rolls to go bird-watching! Of course, these binoculars don't work, but your little one will love creating them and looking through them as they spot different birds in the sky.

This activity will teach children about bird-watching and identification and encourage them to create their own guide.

Communication and Language

Storytelling 

This activity encourages language and communication skills by having children use their creativity and imagination to act out different scenarios with stuffed or plastic animals.

It also promotes social interactions by expanding their vocabulary and social skills and discussing how mother animals care for their babies. For example, children can role-play scenarios such as a mother bird caring for its babies or a rabbit hopscotching through the grass.

Encourage them to create puppets from old socks or wooden spoons to enhance their creativity and imagination.

Spring Animal stories

Read or tell stories about spring animals, such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar or The Tale of Peter Rabbit. This helps children develop their language and comprehension skills while engaging their imagination.

Animal Habitat Sorting 

Teach your little one about different animal habitats, for instance, where butterflies lay their eggs and how birds build nests. 

This will promote their understanding of the world and encourage language as you discuss different animal habitats. 

Scavenger Hunt 

Create a spring animal scavenger hunt in your garden or the park! Look for feathers, bird's nests, insects, butterflies, etc., to promote your little ones' understanding of the world and their attention and observational skills.