Birds chirping, flowers blooming, the warmth of the sun — it’s officially spring! Now that we can come out of our winter slumber, it’s time to discover all that the great outdoors has to offer. If you’re anything like me, you are constantly looking for easy, screen free alternatives, and boy do we have a list for you! Inspired by our 5 Original Glo Pals, there’s surely something on this list that sparks your interest:
5 Family Fun Spring Activities
written by: Audrey Chaney
1. Sammy Says: go to a baseball game
Hey, batter, batter! After a quick internet search, you’re bound to find a college team or even a major or minor league team in a city near you to go cheer on for the afternoon. If you know little to nothing about baseball, this would be a great opportunity to learn alongside your kiddos. If, on the other hand, you consider yourself an expert, it’s your time to shine — your family might be amazed at all of your buried ballpark lingo! Maybe you’re just there for the snacks; make sure to munch on some peanuts and cracker jacks at the old ball game. If you want to stay close to home, a more affordable option would be to get out and play catch in your yard or at a nearby park. Let’s play ball, Pals!
2. Pippa Says: Visit the farmer's market
What a great chance to expose your little ones to the charm of locally grown food, freshly baked goods, live plants and locally made handiworks. This is a fabulous time to connect with your local community and to taste new flavors, learn where your foods are coming from, and support local farmers. In my particular community, there is the opportunity for my kids to pick up free, used children’s books which helps reinforce our encouragement for a love of reading. If you’re lucky, you may even catch some live music! By making visiting your local farmer’s market a regular Saturday morning activity, grocery shopping can become a pleasure instead of a chore and is truly a fun experience for the whole family.
3. lumi says: have a picnic paint party
It doesn’t get much more simple than heading outside, throwing a blanket on the ground, and soaking up the sun. What’s on the menu? An effortless snack lunch! Think — fruits, veggies and hummus, cheese slices, snacking meats, crackers and juice boxes. While you’re packing up, make sure to include a set of watercolors and a sketchbook for everyone. Once bellies have had their fill, it’s time to pull those paints and sketchbooks out and get creative. Whether you pick a theme or let imaginations run wild, your kiddos are sure to fancy this activity. While you’re at it, artist or not, pick a paintbrush up for yourself; you might be surprised at the delight it brings and the satisfaction it gives your kids to see you enjoying what they’re having so much fun doing!
4. Alex Says: Go on a hike
Bets are you don’t have to look far to find a hiking trail in your area, or even a little walking path. Keep in mind that distance and elevation matter when trekking with youngsters. It is best to search for fairly short and level trails so that they don’t tire out too quickly — you don’t want grouchy hikers! If you’re looking to add a little extra stimulation to keep your kids engaged while on your hike, try printing out a nature scavenger hunt and/or collect items throughout your hike to help your kids make a nature mandala at the end. You will be astonished at the intricacies your little ones see and the treasures they find. The best thing about this activity is that it is completely free! In fact, you will gain satisfaction from getting out and moving your body and soaking up a days worth of Vitamin D.
Blair Says: Make a windsock
Let’s get crafty! With spring also comes the perfect kite-flying weather. However, kite flying can prove to be very taxing for young tykes. Who am I kidding? It can be frustrating for grown ups too! Let’s face it, there’s definitely a time and place for flying a kite, but today we have a great alternative for you — DIY windsocks! Click here for a free printable for your little one to decorate on their own. All you have to do is cut out and connect the edges of your printable, attach streamers in the color(s) of your choice using tape or glue, add a small string for a handle, and you’re good to go. The only thing left to do is to get outside and watch those beautiful windsocks flow in the wind!
I hope a few of these ideas make the burden of planning out Spring with your family a little bit lighter. We look forward to seeing how you incorporate some of these activities into your agenda. As always, don’t forget to share about it and tag us on socials @glopals!
