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Celebrate Spring!

Fun Family Activities for Spring - Play Time Activities and Crafts

The Spring Equinox, what an awakening, a wonderful time to try something new. This is a time of birth and regeneration.
Celebrate the new in life, celebrate life!

Fun Spring Activities

Painting Planting Pots

Many gardeners like to start growing seeds inside in early spring, before transplanting them to the garden. But before you plant, you’re going to need snazzy pots to start your wonderful little gardens in. This is a great activity to start welcoming spring into your homes. You’ll need at least one small terra-cotta pot and saucer for each person, a variety of paints and brushes and of course, the magical ingredient – imagination! Paint the pots in wonderful spring colours and themes and talk about what kind of plants you’re going to start in them.

A Planting Party

If it’s warm enough, this is an activity best done outdoors where any spilled dirt can easily be swept into the garden. If it’s not nice enough outside, just lay down lots of newspaper on the kitchen floor, and have your party there.

What you’ll need:

• Potting soil
• Small pots
• Spoons
• Seeds (nasturtiums and sunflowers are great to use as they're a nice size for small hands)

When they’re planted, keep them lightly watered and remember to plant the seedlings outside later in the spring.

Garden Markers

Gardens are great places for children to explore and interact with nature. Whether they have their own little plot or help with the bigger patch, have a huge place to explore, or just a windowsill garden, it helps if you know what is growing. This is also a fun project to help extend the excitement of gardening. Because once the seeds are planted, it can sometimes feel like forever before they sprout and eons before they bear flowers or produce edibles.

What you’ll need:

• Seed packets or a gardening catalogue
• Popsicle sticks
• Scrap pieces of cardboard
• Glue

Start off by gluing the seed packet covers or pictures of plants you have planted from the seed packets or catalogue onto rectangles of cardboard. Then attach the popsicle sticks to the back of the cardboard so that you have a marker that can be inserted into the soil. Let dry overnight, then mark out your garden space. These won’t withstand the elements very well, but will hold out for awhile – at least until the plants start to sprout and show themselves. You can also use permanent ink pens to write the names of the plants onto the popsicle sticks. These will help your markers last much longer and it’s always fun to write on new surfaces.

Dandelion Paintbrushes

This is a fun way to get to use those cheerful yellow little flowers that are hunted so mercilessly. Be sure to only use flowers from areas that are not sprayed with chemicals! Pick a great big dandelion bouquet of varying lengths and sizes just before bringing to your art area where you’ll have paper and paints (we recommend watercolours for this project, but really, any non-toxic paint will work just fine). Now start experimenting! Create modern art by dabbing, wiping, spraying and playing with your dandelion paintbrushes, or create a picture with the same techniques. Be prepared for a bit of a mess, but a whole lot of fun.

Eggshell Mosaic

Break a few eggs while decorating them this year? Turn trash into treasure with this easy art project. What you’ll need – broken bits of eggshell, glue and a piece of cardboard from the recycling box (cereal boxes work well with this project). Simply glue the eggshell pieces onto the cardboard base in a fabulous spring design and ta da – beautiful spring art! You may even end up wanting to break more eggs just to make your pictures more elaborate!

Dream Planting
Eggsellent fun!

Spring is a time of planning and planting for the future. We like to acknowledge this “sewing of seeds” season by literally planting our dreams and nurturing them into growth. This is a fun activity to do after a spring Sunday brunch and gets everyone involved in celebrating the season.

What you’ll need:

Half an eggshell for each person
Potting soil
Wheat or sunflower seeds
Small pieces of paper
Pens

If you have eggcups, they make a great base for holding your eggs (check garage sales for fun and very economical eggcups), but if not, just cut out egg holders from an egg carton and give one to each person to hold their egg in.

Start by writing down some goals or dreams for the coming months (children who can’t yet write can draw a picture). You’ll need to write them very small, as you’ll put this piece of paper into the bottom of your eggshell and plant your seeds on top. Think about what you would like to see materialize in your life. Place this tiny piece of paper into the bottom of your eggshell, top with the potting soil and then plant your seed(s). If you are using sunflower seeds, one is all you’ll need, but if you are using wheat, scatter a few so that you’ll get lots of wheatgrass. Now place your newly planted dreams in an appropriate spot. Be sure to tend to your dreams by keeping your seeds watered and thinking about what else you need to do to actualize your goals. Enjoy the visual reminder of your ability to make your dreams come true! 

 

Hopscotch

Hopscotch is a great game to enjoy outdoors. You’ll need some sidewalk chalk to draw the hopscotch course, and a handful of stones (one for each person playing) to use as markers. Start by drawing the course on your sidewalk. The traditional hopscotch game was over 100 feet long and was used as a Roman military training exercise. The one you draw may be a little less grueling, and perhaps a lot more fun.
A hopscotch board consists of numbered squares that will be jumped through. 2 squares side by side will be jumped with the left foot in the left square, right foot in the right square, and a single square must be jumped into on only one foot. Some squares may be marked “SAFE” and can be hopped into with either or both feet. Each player takes a turn throwing their marker (small stone) into the numbered squares (first turn will be thrown into number 1, second turn into number 2, third turn will be tossed into number 3 square, etc.). They must then jump through the course, avoiding the one their marker is in. When they get to the end, they have to turn around and jump the course in the reverse order, picking up their marker as they pass it. Rules say no player can step on a line, miss a square or lose his/her balance, but then rules are made to be broken aren’t they? Happy Hopping

Make a Rain Gauge

Measure your weather! They say April showers bring May flowers. What a great opportunity to enjoy the rainy weather and make a rain gauge.

Materials you’ll need:

• Ruler
• Wide mouth jar
• Tape

Directions:
Tape your ruler securely to the jar, with the starting measure at the bottom of the jar. Place it in a wide open area, away from trees and buildings. Keep an eye on it and now you can measure your rainfall!

Fantastic Bubble Solution

Spring is a great time to blow bubbles. Make up a big batch of this bubble recipe, then sit on the porch and spend an afternoon being in the moment with your family.

• 1 part corn syrup or glycerin
• 4 parts liquid dish soap
• 16 parts water

For example:

• ¼ cup corn syrup or glycerin
• 1 cup dish soap
• 4 cups water

Add the soap after the water, stir well and enjoy your bubbles. Try using different bubble wands – pipe cleaners, copper wire, jewelry wire or even old coat hangers. Shape them as large or small as you want (just make sure you have a bucket big enough to dip the whole wand head into).

Tips for An Earthy Spring

Sunscreen Savvy

All bodies do need some sunshine to manufacture Vitamin D, but the sunshine of today is much harder on skin than the sunshine of 50 years ago, so you’ll want to spend much of the summer with a high-quality sunscreen protecting you and your family. But not all sunscreen is created equal. There are some ingredients that you will definitely want in your sunscreen, and other ingredients you should think twice about.

The good stuff: Titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide. These ingredients have been proven to block out both UVA & UVB rays. Those sunscreens without these ingredients filter some rays, but not all, and what is allowed to reach your skin could be more harmful in a fractured state than the whole spectrum.

The questionable stuff: Hormone- imitating chemicals such as 4-mbc (4-methyl-benzylidene camphor). This ingredient is causing some scientists concern because it has been shown to have negative effects on lab animals – causing cancer cells to multiply quickly and doubling the uterine growth in pre-pubescent animals (all with dosages allowed in sunscreens). Although researchers are recommending further investigation into the chemical and it’s effects on humans, some are urging caution be applied when using this chemical on children, as kids are more susceptible to the allowed dosages.

Even one really bad sunburn can irretrievably damage skin, so be sure to cover up and, if possible, avoid the hottest period of the day when the sun’s rays are strongest.

Wasp Away

As spring turns to summer and the insects come out to play, there are always a few we wish would play on their own. Wasps are often one of those. To deter wasps from entering your yards and gardens, simply suspend a small, inflated paper bag so that it hangs down, looking similar to a wasps nest. Wasps are very territorial and pretty respectful of each others’ space, so when they see another nest, they stay clear. By fooling them with this simple and super-easy method, you won’t have to worry about them encroaching on your space.

Spring Cleaning without the Chemicals

It’s time for Spring Cleaning, but that doesn’t have to mean a plethora of chemicals that will leave your house looking cleaner but covered in noxious chemicals. Below we’ve included some different recipes for keeping your house clean and free of toxins. Of course, remember, too, that spring is a time to be spent outside enjoying the season and getting dirty, so don’t spend too much time indoors cleaning.

Window Wash Recipe:

• 1 part white vinegar
• 1 part water
• 1-5 drops lemon or orange essential oil

Mix in a spray bottle, spray onto windows, wipe with old newspapers for a streak-free shine or use this mix with a bucket and squeegee.

Drain Cleaner Recipe

Cleaning your drains is one of those “ounce of prevention” chores. It’s actually good to do about once a month or so, but we’ll include it here in our spring cleaning section as something to start now, and continue with.

Pour about ½ cup of baking soda down your drain, follow with about double that amount of vinegar, and then seal with your drain plug. Follow 15 minutes later with boiling water. Kids love to help with this household maintenance task and the ingredients are totally safe, so engage help!

Appliance Cleanse

Keeping your household appliances in good working order will extend their life and save you and the environment the cost of new ones. Mineral deposits, soap and residue can accumulate in both your dishwasher and your washing machine. Clean both of these appliances once a year by running them through a full cycle while empty using just hot water and vinegar to clean. Cleaning your appliances this way will increase their efficiency and maybe even extend their life. This is a great spring cleaning activity, as you can start both of the washers and then head outside to dabble in the garden or enjoy a walk, reveling in the miracles of the season.

Lemon Kitchen

Lemons are great kitchen cleaners. The smell is fantastic and it helps remove grease and stains. If you’ve squeezed the juice from the lemon to use in your cooking, keep the rind for the clean-up. Simply wipe it (cut side down) all over the counters/stovetop as you would a sponge and follow up with a damp cloth. For a little more oomph, sprinkle the cut side with baking soda and use as above.

Tea Tree Power

Use tea tree essential oil in warm/hot water (about 20 drops per litre) to clean just about anything and everything on your spring to-do list. Tea tree is a very effective, extremely safe disinfectant that has antiseptic, germicidal, anti-bacterial and antiviral properties. Use it to kill mold and mildew in the bathroom, wash your walls and scrub the floors.

And last, but definitely not least, remember to check the batteries in your smoke detectors.

Spring Cleaning for the Body

Spring Cleaning isn’t just for houses. A good spring cleanse for the body will rejuvenate you physically, just as spring cleaning in the house lifts your spirits and clears your environment.

Dry Brushing

Dry brushing is a great way to improve circulation, enhance the immune system, and revitalize the nervous system. It’s a great (and really cheap) treatment for cellulite and fluid-retention, lagging energy levels, and sore muscles. It will get rid of dead skin cells and allow your skin to breathe more efficiently, helping your body function more efficiently.

Start with a dry body brush or mitt made of natural fibres (such as loofah, jute or hemp) – these can be found in just about any natural grocery store or large drugstore. Start at the bottom (the soles of your feet) and work upwards with a gentle, circular massage always in the direction of the heart. Be sure to pay close attention to the rougher parts – the elbows and knees and feet – and always work towards the center of your body. Finish off with a shower or bath and enjoy the multitude of benefits your body will receive from incorporating this small self-care act into your daily routine.

Body brushes should be shaken out after each brushing session and washed with warm water and a gentle soap about once a week or so.

A Cleansing Bath

Try this detoxifying bath to help your body dispose of toxins and soothe the skin. Start with a dry brushing of your skin. Then enter a warm bath which as ½ pound of sea salt and one pound of baking soda added to it. Soak for at least 15 minutes. End with a vigorous toweling off and a light moisturizer such as Lavender Lotion.