Springtime can be filled with sunny park days, picnics and swings, and warm breezes. This season can also be filled with crazy storms, unexpected cold fronts, and tornado season, which can span from April to June. We really have to earn our beautiful spring flowers with some pretty crazy showers! Texas keeps us on our toes at all times.
While springtime can feel short-lived in our city, it’s a great opportunity to talk to our littles about all of these exciting weather experiences, springtime holidays, and let’s not forget wildflowers! Here’s a handful of ideas to get in the springtime spirit with your little ones (the crafts will definitely come in handy on those unexpectedly wet days!)
Spring Books to Read
Planting a Rainbow by Lois Elhert
One of my all-time favorite spring reads! Incorporating flowers, gardening, and rainbows. A perfect little springtime book to add to your personal library.
Some Bugs by Angela DiTerlizzi
This book is the perfect introduction to going on a backyard bug hunt with your littles.
Animals in Spring by Martha E.H. Rustad
This book is a great introduction to nonfiction reading, with fun and inviting photos of sweet spring animals. (This book is one of three in a springtime series. You can also find a book about weather and plants.)
Light Makes a Rainbow by Sharon Coan
What exactly makes a rainbow? This book is a great explanation of the science of rainbows and includes experiments that you can do with your kiddos at home.
Spring Crafts
Ladybug Painted Garden Rocks
After planting some spring seeds in your garden patch, have your kiddos join in the fun of decorating their own space in the garden with these little critters!
Chromatography Butterflies
A craft/experiment intended for older kiddos. This would make for a fun rainy-day experience.
Rainbow Craft with Pipe Cleaner Chains
This craft is a fantastic follow-up to a rainbow book read-aloud. I love to see fine motor skills at work making the pipe cleaner chains.
Rainbow Sky Sensory Bottle
Instead of sprinkles for the bottle, you could also fill it with those blue pebbles used to fill fish tanks!
Spring-y Family Activities
Create a family garden.
Set up a space in your yard and get to planting! Make a special family trip to your local nursery or gardening center and pick out an array of vegetables and flowers to grow together. I love this Dallas Moms post on tips for gardening with kids!
Make a bucket list of local parks.
Plan to visit a different park each week, and after you’re done playing, talk about what you liked. What made that park unique? Would you go back again? This is a great way to explore local neighborhoods!
Play in the rain!
Springtime is one of the rainiest times in Texas, right? Instead of being inside all day, make a point to put on your rain boots, grab an umbrella (for mom at least!), and go play in some puddles! I love this idea for rain painting—such a fun way to mix weather and a sensory art experience.
Spring Recipes
Towards the end of winter, I find myself in a dinnertime rut, so I take advantage of all of the fresh, beautiful produce available come spring! Here are a handful of recipes I intend to try this spring:
Lemon Risotto with Spring Vegetables
Spring Confetti Bars
Beet Salad with Spinach, Cashews, and Cranberries
Lemon Raspberry Smoothie
Spring Holidays to Celebrate
Mardi Gras
Even though we don’t live in New Orleans we still like to get in the carnival spirit! Make or buy a king cake, wear some beads, and spread the joy.
St. Patrick’s Day
I wrote a post this time last year with resources for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with littles at home!
Easter
The Dallas Moms Annual Easter Egg Hunt is coming up! Be sure to get your tickets for an event the whole family will enjoy.
Earth Day
The EarthX Expo in Fair Park has plenty of vendors, activities, and fun for all ages.
