Photo Credit: Yerffej9
Spring is here and the weather is getting warmer all over the country. It’s the perfect time to get your boys and yourself outside to enjoy some of that fresh air as the mercury starts to rise. Here are five spring activities that you might want to schedule:
1. Go Fly a Kite - With all the wind that spring can bring, it is the perfect time to go to the park or a nice empty field and fly a kite. Whether you buy an expensive canvas kite, or an inexpensive plastic one from the dollar store, it can be a fun way to spend an hour or two with your little ones.
If you are feeling extra adventurous, you can even attempt to make your own kite with your kids. Here’s some great tutorials to do that:
How to Build a Kite Tutorial – From Talk Crafty to Me. I love this one because I’m very visual and her tutorial is beautiful to look at and easy to read.
Make a Kite – This one from National Geographic Kids uses a plastic trash bag to make a kite.
How to Make Your Own Mini Kite – Love this project from Mums Gather! It’s so cute and something my boys could easily do with little or no help from me.
2. Take a Hike! – Spring is a great time for family hikes. Everything is in bloom and the earth is full of the promise of a new and beautiful year. We like to hit the local hiking trails (there are a lot in the Phoenix area where we live) but the kids and I also enjoy a good walk around the neighborhood too.
3. Visit the Zoo – If you have never visited your local zoo in the spring with your kids, you should really consider doing so. There is always an endless supply of baby animals to oh and ah over. Last spring at our zoo, my boys and I enjoyed seeing a baby zebra, baby prairie dogs, and more.
4. Plant a Garden – Boys love to play in the dirt so why not let them help you plant a garden? It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. If you’ve never gardened before, pick two or three items to try and grow the first year. Not interested in preparing garden beds or doing a lot of weeding? Try container gardening! Here are some great resources to get you started:
Kids Gardening – Lots of great information to get you started with container gardening with your kids.
Container Gardening with Kids – Some great tips from New York Family.
5. Go Bird Watching – We have a local nature preserve that birds love to flock too but you can always find plenty of birds everywhere, even right in your own neighborhood. Make a game of it with the kids to see who can spot the most nests, eggs, and baby birds. Take along some binoculars for better viewing. You can also give them a sketch pad and some colored pencils and let them draw some of the birds that they see.