Get Outside This Spring!

Spring is a great time for kids to engage in fun and educational projects that will get them outdoors. Using some creativity, here are some ideas for spring projects for kids:

Planting a garden: Teach kids about gardening by helping them plant flowers, herbs, or vegetables in pots or a small garden plot. They can learn about the plant life cycle, how to care for plants, and the importance of sunlight and water. Kids love playing in dirt.

Nature scavenger hunt: Create a list of items for kids to find outdoors, such as different types of flowers, insects, birds, or specific colours. This activity encourages observation skills and an appreciation for nature.

DIY bird feeders: Help kids make bird feeders using recycled materials like pinecones, peanut butter, and birdseed. Hang them in the yard and observe the birds that come to feed. Get your cameras ready.

Spring crafts: Get creative with spring-themed crafts such as making paper flowers, painting Easter eggs, creating nature collages with leaves and petals, or decorating flowerpots. Painting stones is a popular craft for kids these days.

Butterfly life cycle project: Teach kids about the life cycle of butterflies by raising caterpillars and observing their transformation into butterflies. You can order caterpillar kits online or collect caterpillars from your garden.

Outdoor art: Take art projects outdoors and let kids paint or draw scenes from nature. They can use sidewalk chalk to create colourful designs on pavement or rocks.

Spring cleaning and donating: Get kids involved in spring cleaning by decluttering their toys and clothes. Encourage them to donate gently used items to charity to teach empathy and generosity.

Outdoor science experiments: Conduct simple science experiments outdoors, such as making a rain gauge to measure rainfall, studying the effects of sunlight on plant growth, or experimenting with buoyancy using natural materials.

Here are some books that can assist you with more ideas and how-to guides: “Exploring Nature Activity Book for Kids” by Kim Andrews, “Backpack Explorer on the Nature Trail” by Editors of Storey Publishing. There’s also a great Explorer Kit you can purchase to motivate your kids even more.

These spring projects provide opportunities for kids to learn about nature, develop new skills, and have fun outdoors during the beautiful spring season.