As the weather warms up and the ice melts, you and your kids will finally be able to step out and enjoy the outside world together. We’ve put together a list of fun activities that will help you and your family make the most out of this spring!

1. Make the most of your backyard!

Having a dedicated play area outside has many benefits- starting with being able to engage with your child’s more messy hobbies outside! Set aside a space for your child to decorate, enjoy sensory play with mud or sand, and engage in other activities like digging and planting. This is the perfect way for younger kids to connect with gardening and embrace playing outside daily.

There are many guides that teach you how to go about creating a play space. Check out guides from The Imagination Tree and Artful Parent to get started!

2. Discover gardening together

Gardening is a great (and sneaky) way to teach your kids patience  and get them interested in  science and nature. For older kids, teach them  how to care for plants and allow them to try planting seeds, mulching, weeding. Here are some fun gardening activities, you can try. If you decide to grow vegetables then you can include cooking as a next step! Even if gardening isn’t an option, you can  visit the local nursery or farmers market together to pick out spring flowers and vegetables together. 

3. Get active in nature!

We can all appreciate  that these days, time spent away from a computer screen is hard to come by. Plan family time around outdoor activities that allow you to enjoy the greenery! You can plan kid-friendly hikes, climb trees, or set up treasure hunts that help your kids explore the outdoors. Get sporty, in the local park. Soccer, frisbee and baseball, all lend themselves to a fun family experience!

4. Don’t forget to relax

If your family is more in the mood to relax, consider camping out in the backyard and going for picnics. You can turn a picnic into a reading session by having your kids bring their favourite books and taking turns to read to each other. This is a great way for you to spend quality time as a family while also showing them how much fun reading can be!

Backyard camping is a great introduction to camping without all the hassle of packing, planning, buying gear and more. Set up a cozy tent with your child, use a fire pit or charcoal grill to cook up some delicious camping snacks, and eat s’mores under the stars! For more ideas on backyard camping, read this article.

5. Get creative with spring themed arts & crafts

Spring is a time of color and vibrance, and there are many arts & crafts activities you can do to bring out the joy of the season. Try making paper flowers or painting pots and then planting seeds inside them. If you’re especially crafty and great with woodwork, you and your kids can even try building birdhouses or bird feeders for your feathered friends! Push the boundaries of your child’s creativity with these great ideas for nature art e.g. making craft out of  dried / pressed flowers or other natural materials that you can scavenge for during your outdoor walks.