Aquidneck MomsTown Connect.Share.Inspire

Fun Springtime Activities for Kids


by Jamie Jefferson

Spring is a great time to do craft projects and get your kids involved in enjoying the season. Whether you decide to go with a project that focuses on flowers and birds or something that has your kids enjoying the warmer weather, you can celebrate spring with these ideas.

Coffee filter flowers Even if you don't drink coffee you may want to keep some of these around the house because they make great craft items. With this idea you'll be using them to create a beautiful garden full of flowers. In addition to the filters you'll need water color paints, water, paintbrushes, scissors and green pipe cleaners. 
   
Start by letting your children paint the coffee filters with watercolors. They can use as much paint and water as they want to. The entire surface of the coffee filter should be damp by the time they are through. You can use paper towels or newspaper underneath the work surface to keep everything dry. Hang the filters up so that they can dry.

Once the filters are completely dry, it's time to create the flowers. You can fringe the ends with scissors or simply scrunch the filter together to create a mum-like design. Wrap the green pipe cleaner around the end of the flower and twist it to create a stem.

Spring Relay Race Get a group of kids together for this fun outdoors activity. You'll need several spoons, hard boiled eggs, watering cans and buckets. Each team will need one set of items previously mentioned. The relay starts with the first member of each team carrying the egg in a spoon. Once they reach the second station, the next person takes over. They have to fill up a watering can and take it to bucket that has been marked with a fill line. The team who fills their bucket first is the winner.

Start a garden This activity takes a little longer to produce results but it will be an activity that your child will look forward to each and every spring. Try planting tomatoes, corn, beans or flowers. You can start out the project by creating seedlings. Place the seeds in a clear plastic cup and water daily. In a few days you'll be able to see some growth. Once the seedlings have gotten to a few inches tall transplant the seeds to the ground. You'll have fresh vegetables and beautiful flowers all summer.

Bubbles Playing with bubbles is something that can first be enjoyed each year during spring time. You can make your own bubbles by combining 1 cup of water, 2 tablespoons of light karo syrup and 4 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid in a bucket. Stir the ingredients thoroughly and then it's ready to use. You can also make your bubbles colored by adding food coloring to the mix. Make several small batches and then dye each one with a different color.

You can buy fancy bubble wands or make your own. Use small juice cans with both ends cut off, straws and other household items to make bubbles of all shapes and sizes.

Jamie Jefferson writes for http://www.momscape.com, where you'll find lots more ideas on celebrating life with children as well as promotions on everything for families.