Let’s talk about spring activities with preschoolers and toddlers!
It’s that time of year again – Happy Spring! It is such a fun time to get out and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air! On this post, we are going to talk about some fun and easy spring activities for preschoolers (and toddlers) that will increase their spring vocabulary and communication. (did I mention they are FREE?) In addition to vocabulary words and concepts, these spring activities are also going to specifically include the 5 senses with a bonus at the end!
Sight!
Let’s step outside! What can we see? Flowers of many colors, shapes, sizes, and textures. The outside world is filled with color!
Look up to the sky! We can find birds flying, bugs buzzing, and so many cloud shapes! Laying in the grass and looking to the sky to find shapes and animals is great opportunity for language expression and growing the imagination.
What are some other items we can find outside in the springtime?
Spider webs, bees on flowers, lawn mowers & fresh cut grass, and baby animals!
Taste!
What can we taste during the springtime?
Disclaimer: This one you might actually have to spend a few dollars on at the local farmers market or grocery store but they are well worth it and chances are, they’re probably on your grocery list already!
Spring treats include fresh fruits: strawberries, grapefruit, lemons, mangos, oranges, pineapples, and many more fruits ripen and are ready to eat in the spring – early summer months.
Other yummy foods to find in the spring- vegetables! Herbs, broccoli, corn, peas, spinach, lettuce, and green beans are among the vegetables that are ready to eat up in the spring!
For our next tasting, we are going to require a spring rain shower. Next time it rains (not when lightening and thunder are present) step outside into the open air and taste the rain! This fun rainy day activity is sure to make your preschool and toddlers excited!
If you’re not interested in playing in the rain, look out the window and chat with your preschooler or toddler about everything you see and hear!
Smell!
What can we smell in the spring? We smell flowers, freshly mowed grass, fruit, and vegetables…
In addition to those, you can also (now, hang with me on this) smell the dirt and mud.
WHAT?!
Obviously all of these activities must be supervised, but especially this one! For instance: 1. Flowers can have bees and other insects nearby, 2 smelling the dirt can get tricky, and 3 most fruits and veggies have seeds. But trust me on this, it’s totally worth it. Because in addition to the smell, there will also be giggles! This fun outdoor spring activity brings the sense of smell up for a challenge. Above all else, keep talking with your preschooler or toddler about the different smells they experience.
Touch!
There are so many things to get your hands on in the Spring, however, I’m just going to touch on a few. Things to touch in the spring: flower petals, dirt, rain, leaves, & water puddles! Touching activities will provide multiple aspects of language and communication: asking and answering questions, identifying vocabulary, onomatopoeias (splash, woosh, weee!) In addition, they will also provide multiple sensory experiences for your toddler or preschooler. Chat with them about how things feel: is it smooth? Is it gritty? Everything your preschooler or toddler puts their hands while they are outside on falls into this category! Similarly, most of these items fit in right along with seeing, smelling and hearing!
Hear!
Finally, what are some spring sounds? Let’s step outside and sit quietly (or as quiet as possible with a preschooler or toddler).
What do you hear? During the day you may hear birds chirping, dogs barking, lawn mowers running, or the leaves rustling through the trees. Similarly, there are nighttime sounds for spring too! At night, we might hear crickets chirping, frogs croaking, or owls hooting!
For some extra fun, add a flashlight to your nighttime adventure & and explore with your sight and touch!
Need some help with this spring time scavenger hunt? Check out this BONUS freebie here!
There are many spring activities with preschoolers and toddlers! What is your favorite?
5 Responses
Megan,
Thank you for your work putting together such a great sight to help parents help children grow and develop.
Chelsea
Awesome job!