Spring is a wonderful time of year to spend quality time with your children! After months of cold and snow, it’s finally time to get outside and engage in fun activities that help foster their development. At the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota, we are ready for all sorts of outdoor fun both in the courtyard and the Dotson Back 40.
Spring Activities for Kids by Age
From exploring the outdoors to creative indoor play, there are plenty of activities you can do with children of all ages. Let’s look at some fun spring activities for children aged 0-10 that promote learning and growth.
(Many of these activities are appropriate for more ages than listed; just modify the details to suit your children!)
Activities for Babies and Toddlers 0-2 Years
- Sensory Play: Fill a tray or bin with materials such as rice, sand, or water for your little one to explore with their hands and senses. This activity promotes sensory development and encourages exploration and curiosity.
- Tummy Time Outside: Take your baby outside and lay them on a blanket or towel on the grass for some tummy time. This helps to strengthen their neck, back, and core muscles while also giving them a chance to explore nature.
- Babywearing Walk: Strap on a baby carrier and take a walk around your neighborhood or a nearby park. This activity promotes bonding, encourages physical activity, and helps your baby develop their sense of balance.
Activities for 3-5-Year-Olds
- Nature Walk Scavenger Hunt: Take a walk in the park or a nature trail and create a scavenger hunt with items for your child to find such as different types of leaves, flowers, and insects. This activity promotes nature exploration, cognitive development, and observation skills. This is also an excellent opportunity to check out the Museum’s Prairie’s Edge Exploration Backpacks!
- Bubble Painting: Mix food coloring with bubbles and have your child blow the bubbles onto paper to create a unique painting. This activity promotes creativity, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination.
- DIY Bird Feeder: Help your child make a simple bird feeder using a cardboard tube or pinecone, peanut butter, and birdseed. Hang it outside and watch as the birds come to feed. This activity promotes appreciation for nature and caring for animals.
Spring Activities for 6-8-Year-Old Kids
- Plant a Garden: Help your child plant a small garden or container garden with flowers or vegetables. This activity promotes responsibility, appreciation for nature, and teaches them about the life cycle of plants.
- DIY Kite: Make a kite using paper, string, and sticks and fly it in an open field. This activity promotes creativity, fine motor skills, and physical activity.
- Build a Fort: Use blankets, pillows, and furniture to create a cozy indoor or outdoor fort for your child to play in. This activity promotes imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Activities for Children Age 9-10 Years
- Outdoor Games: Play classic outdoor games such as kickball, hopscotch, and tag. These activities promote physical activity, social skills, and teamwork.
- Science Experiments: Conduct simple science experiments at home such as making a volcano or growing crystals. This activity promotes scientific curiosity and critical thinking skills.
- DIY Wind Chimes: Use recycled materials such as bottle caps or seashells to make a wind chime. This activity promotes creativity, fine motor skills, and appreciation for art and nature.
Spring is a wonderful time of year to engage in fun activities with your children. These activities not only promote learning and growth but also create meaningful memories and strengthen family bonds. Whenever you’re struggling to find something to do with your children on a beautiful or rainy day, join us at the Museum for all of our amazing exhibits and events. See you soon!
