The snow has gone (for most of us anyway), the sun is out, and spring is on its way! With the weather warming up now is the perfect time to get the kids outdoors for some fun and fresh air. We’ve got some great ideas to get children active and enjoying nature this spring.
Green fingers at the ready
Now is the ideal time to get those green fingers working. Children will love to have a go at growing their own food and, if they’ve grown it, they are more likely to want to eat it. Believe it or not, you don’t need much space to have your own vegetable garden. So many things can be grown in pots on a sunny patio or balcony. Or even on a windowsill! Cress is a great place to start. It grows fast, making it ideal for smaller children who maybe don’t have the patience to wait to see the results of their work. Once you’ve got the gardening bug, fruit and veg like tomatoes, salad leaves and strawberries can be grown in relatively small spaces.
Get moving
Blow those cobwebs away with a springtime walk. A woodland walk is wonderful at this time of year. There is so much to spot, from spring bulbs emerging, to wildlife looking for food. Why not see if you can identify some of the trees and wildlife? Or how about a game of hide and seek, or “What’s the time Mr Wolf?”, a perfect game for a forest setting! Check out the forestry commission’s website for details of forests near you. There are many events to get involved in, including The Highway Rat trail, making a brilliant day out for families this spring!
Get crafting
Whether you’re creating a mother’s day masterpiece or something “egg-cellent” for Easter, there are lots of wonderful spring craft ideas out there. Why not collect some flowers, pretty shells, leaves and twigs when you’re out and about on a springtime walk and help the children get creative when you get home? Whatever you make, a birds nest collage, or a spring landscape your creations will also be special memories of a day spent together.
Build a bird feeder
How about getting crafty and helping local wildlife at the same time. Our garden birds are still struggling with the effects of the recent bad weather. Give them a helping hand while their natural food stocks replenish by making a brilliant bird feeder. Once you’ve finished hang in somewhere in your garden where it is visible from a window and see if you can identify the different varieties of birds that come into your garden. Check out the RSPB website for so helpful information on food to leave out for your garden birds this spring.
We’d love to see pictures of your bird feeders in action. Share them with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
