Make the most of this exhilarating season by getting outdoors to enjoy the fresh air, sunshine, and loads of fun with these family activities.
Visit a state or national park. Forests and parks come alive in the spring. Not only does the greenery begin to fill in, but wildlife abounds. So it’s the perfect time of year for a nature hike. Be sure to take along your binoculars and a camera to capture newly blossomed plants, wild animals, and chirping birds.
Hold a garage or toy sale. Have your kids clean out their old toys and outgrown clothes. Then offer your kids a portion or all of the proceeds for holding or helping with the sale. Be sure to advertise it online and post signs on nearby corners and your main intersection. Not looking to hold a sale? Head out treasure hunting at other sales. Save money all while reducing your imprint on the planet by buying used. Before you head out, check for sale listings online. Then plan your route to make the most of your outing.
Fly a kite. A breezy spring day is perfect for flying kites. For even more fun, order a kite kit in advance for your family to design their own. Then, check out videos on how to fly a kite before you head out to ensure your adventure is a success.
Make a yard ornament. Gather up your family to brainstorm a fun project to liven up your yard or landscape. Make a unique birdhouse, colorful bird feeder, artistically painted planter, mosaic walkway or welcome sign, fun sculpture, or musical wind chimes. Whatever you come up with, you can likely find design ideas, instructions, or kits online.
Go on a picnic. Pack some finger foods like sandwiches, cheese sticks, veggies and dip, fruit, cookies, and beverages. Then head to the park to enjoy some play, relaxation, and grub. Don’t forget the bubbles!
Build a fort. If you have a stash of construction materials or old boxes lying around—put it to use by building a fort. Another option is to buy several sections of privacy fencing as prebuilt walls for your fort. There are many ways to build a fort. So search online for easy, low-cost ideas.
Play disc golf. These courses have popped up in parks everywhere and are fun for all ages. Just head to your nearby sporting goods store and pick up a few discs before you go.
Go for a peddle. Whether it’s a ride through your neighborhood or on a paved trail system, a bike ride is a great way to get outdoors, enjoy the sunshine and fresh air, and in all the sights of spring.
Go on a scavenger hunt. Make a list of items that are found outdoors, such as an oak leaf, clover, piece of trash, chunk of gravel, dandelion, soda can, speckled rock, wildflower, and so forth. Before heading out for the hunt, set a time limit and any safety rules. Then split up into two teams and see who can bring home the most items on the list.
Attend an outdoor sporting event. Nothing says ‘it’s spring’ like watching sports in the fresh air. Get some tickets to a baseball game, check the game schedule for your kids’ school, or head to a public court to watch pickleball. Before you go, be sure to dress in the colors of your favorite team.
Plant a flower or vegetable garden. Gather up the kids, head to the nursery, and pick out flats of flowers or packets of vegetable seeds. When you get home, plan the arrangement and spacing of the plants. Then have everyone pitch in with digging and planting. To maintain your kids’ interest in the garden, set up a watering schedule, and have everyone take turns throughout the season.
Take a country drive. Spring is the perfect time of year to roll down the windows and take a scenic cruise. Kick back, put on some happy music, and enjoy the blue skies, budding trees, and bursts of colorful flowers.