Category: Spring

Spring is here and with the season comes a variety of beautiful sights, colors, and scents! Introduce your children to the wonders of Spring through spring-themed sensory play activities! Sensory play is a great way to engage your child’s senses, improve their motor skills, and encourage exploration. In this blog, we’ll give you five ideas for sensory activities that utilize Spring themes and materials!

Flower Petal Sensory Bin

Dive into the vibrant colors and fragrant aromas of spring with a flower petal sensory bin. Fill a large container with fresh flower petals collected from the garden or local florist. Let children explore the soft textures, vibrant hues, and delicate scents as they engage their senses in this immersive sensory experience.

Rainstick Craft

Embrace the soothing sound of raindrops with a DIY rainstick craft. Gather cardboard tubes, dried beans, and decorative materials such as stickers, markers, and ribbons. Encourage children to decorate their tubes before filling them with beans and sealing the ends. As they tilt the rainsticks back and forth, they’ll be mesmerized by the calming sound of rainfall.

Spring-Scented Playdough

Whip up a batch of homemade playdough or slime infused with the fresh scents of spring. Experiment with natural ingredients like lavender, lemon, or mint to create sensory-rich playdough that engages both the olfactory and tactile senses. Add flower petals or herbs for an extra sensory surprise!

Rain Cloud Science Experiment

Explore the science behind spring showers with a rain cloud in a jar experiment. Fill a clear jar with water, then add shaving cream to create a “cloud” on top. Using droppers or pipettes, drip blue food coloring onto the shaving cream cloud. As the “rain” falls through the cloud and into the water, children will observe the process of precipitation in action.

Spring-themed Sensory Bottles

Spark curiosity with spring-themed sensory bottles filled with captivating materials. Fill clear plastic bottles with items such as colored rice, flower petals, sequins, and small toys. Seal the bottles tightly and let children shake, twist, and turn them to explore the fascinating sights and sounds within.

As the temperature begins to warm and flowers start to bloom, spring presents the perfect opportunity to take preschoolers outdoors for some fun and exploration. Outdoor play not only promotes physical health but also fosters creativity, imagination, and a connection with nature. With spring just around the corner, here are seven exciting outdoor play ideas for you and your preschooler!

Nature Scavenger Hunt

Create a list of items commonly found in your local environment such as pinecones, flowers, rocks, or different types of leaves. Give your child a basket or bag and encourage them to explore the outdoor space to find and collect the items on the list. This activity not only encourages observation skills but also teaches children about the natural world around them.

Sensory Garden

Set up a sensory garden area with various plants and flowers that children can touch, smell, and even taste. Include plants with different textures, scents, and colors to stimulate their senses. Let the children explore the garden freely, encouraging them to describe what they see, feel, and smell.

Outdoor Art Station

Provide easels, paintbrushes, non-toxic paints, and large sheets of paper for your child to unleash their creativity outdoors. Encourage them to paint the blooming flowers, buzzing bees, or chirping birds they see around them. This activity allows children to express themselves artistically while enjoying the fresh air.

DIY Bubble Station

Set up a bubble station with homemade bubble solution and a variety of bubble wands. Let children experiment with different shapes and sizes of bubbles, chasing them around and trying to catch them. This activity promotes gross motor skills and endless giggles!

Water Play

On warm spring days, nothing beats the joy of water play. Set up a water table or provide buckets, cups, and watering cans for children to splash, pour, and explore. Add toys like rubber ducks or plastic boats to enhance the play experience. Water play not only keeps children cool but also fosters sensory exploration and cooperative play.

DIY Nature Crafts

Gather natural materials such as leaves, sticks, flowers, and rocks, and invite children to use their creativity to make nature-inspired crafts. They can create leaf rubbings, stick sculptures, flower crowns, or rock paintings. Encourage them to let their imaginations run wild as they transform these materials into works of art.

Outdoor Storytime

Set up a cozy outdoor reading nook with blankets, cushions, and a selection of great books. Sit with your child and read stories about spring, nature, or outdoor adventures. Turn it into a family activity by making snacks and having a picnic while you read!