7 spring activities for little kids
by Fi Morrison at mummamorrison.com
Spring has sprung, and it is by far my favourite season of the year. It is the time where the weather warms up (without getting too hot), and the flowers and trees bloom. This all means that it is time for some extra fun activities to play with our babies and toddlers. Looking for some inspiration? Check out some simple and easy activities.
By the way, when spending time outdoors you should always remember to keep the family sunsafe. Read parents’ honest reviews of child-friendly sunscreen and sun protection products here.
Nature painting
Resources needed:
- A variety of leaves
- A3 piece of paper
- Different colours of paint
- A splash mat under the paper
Collect a variety of leaves that have fallen off trees in your backyard or local area. Grab an A3 piece of paper or a piece of cardboard from a large box, and put some paint into some small bowls or plates. Use the leaves as a “stamp” and allow your child to create a montage of different leaf patterns on their paper with the paint.
Nature hunt
The exact details of this activity will vary, depending on the age of your child, but the idea is simple: just get outside and see what you can find!
If you’ve got an older toddler or preschooler you might like to come up with a list of things to find on your walk before you head out – eg, a white flower, a pretty rock, a twisty stick, hearing a noisy bird – then go hunting for them, crossing them off your list as you come across them.
Younger babies will just like to get outdoors and feel different textures – you can rub a soft leaf on their skin or tickle their hand with a feather as they take in the world around them.
Cloud dough
Resources needed:
- 8 cups of plain flour
- 1 cup of baby oil
- A shallow container
- Plenty of space/splash mat
This sensory activity is super fun for babies from around 7 months of age and over (just watch out they don’t eat it!). Mix the plain flour and baby oil in a container, making a fine, wet sort of powder. Add some measuring spoons or mini moulds for your child to play with in the dough.
Leaf embossing
Resources needed:
- A variety of leaves
- A4 or A3 piece of paper
- Crayons (preferably long with no paper around them)
Depending on the age and dexterity of your child (this would be a bit difficult for babies!), use your collection of leaves and place them under a piece of paper. Grab a long crayon that isn’t wrapped in paper, and turn it on its side. Gently rub the crayon over the paper to create the outline of the leaf on the paper. This craft can make a lovely card for a family member or friend.
Nature sensory bag
Resources needed:
- Clear Ziplock Bag
- Hair gel
- A range of flowers and leaves
- Tape
- A spare bag (if you’d like)
Collect flowers and leaves with your child, then place them in the bag. Add the hair gel. Zip the bag closed and double bag if you’re worried about holes or leaks.
You can tape the bag to the window to allow your toddler or child to feel and move the flowers and leaves around the bag while having the light come through.
Nature book for toddlers
Resources needed:
- A collection of flowers and leaves
- Sheets of A4 cardboard (the number depends on how many pages you’d like to make)
- A hole punch and string (if binding), or a stapler
- or stapler
- Crayons
Fold the A4 cardboard in half to create the pages of your sensory book. Ask your child to collect a range of flowers and leaves. With your toddler, help them draw a picture of the leaf or flower on each page of their book. Help them write the name of the flower or the word leaf. Staple the pages together or hole punch and tie together with the brown twine. Children will love adding to this book as they come across new flowers and leaves.
Gardening for beginners
Little kids love gardening (all that dirt! watering the plants!), and spring is a great time to get them involved. Buy some seeds and plant them together in small cartons, watching them get bigger as weeks go by, or just let them loose in the garden with a watering can on a warm day.
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