10 Engaging Spring Activities for Preschoolers

Spring is in the air, and there's no better time to get preschoolers exploring, creating, and learning through fun, hands-on activities. Whether you're a parent looking for ways to introduce your toddler to seasonal topics or you're an educator looking for lesson planning ideas for students, the team at Primary Beginnings is here to help plan a fun-filled, spring day.

Our 5-star Raleigh preschool is sharing 10 engaging spring activities for preschoolers that blend outdoor exploration with creative crafts. These preschool spring activities are designed to keep little ones moving, improve their fine motor skills, and spark curiosity about the natural world around them, all while adding a burst of seasonal joy to each day.

#1: Plant a Colorful Flower Garden

Planting real flowers in your garden is a hands-on activity where preschoolers get to explore nature by cultivating their very own burst of color. This project not only teaches children about plant life cycles, it encourages curiosity, responsibility, and an appreciation for nurturing something to grow.

List of Supplies

• Flower seeds or small flower plants (choose easy-growing varieties)
• Child-friendly gardening tools (small trowel, hand rake)
• Watering can or spray bottle
• Gardening gloves
• Potting soil or garden soil
• Recycled containers or small garden beds

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the planting area by filling recycled containers or designated garden beds with soil.

Step 2: Help children gently plant seeds or small flower plants into the soil.

Step 3: Demonstrate how to cover the seeds or plant roots with a light layer of soil.

Step 4: Show children how to water their plants using a watering can or spray bottle.

Step 5: Place the planted area in a sunny spot and explain how sunlight and water help the flowers grow.

#2: Take a Springtime Nature Walk

Embark on a refreshing springtime nature walk where preschoolers can immerse themselves in the beauty of the outdoors while learning about seasonal changes. This is one of the most popular spring activities for preschoolers that encourages curiosity, observation, and physical movement. Little learners explore natural habitats, listen to the sounds of spring, and enjoy the simple wonders of nature.

List of Supplies

• Nature walk checklist or scavenger hunt sheet (with simple images)
• Magnifying glass for close-up exploration
• Comfortable walking shoes

Instructions

Step 1: Explain the simple types of items to look for, such as specific leaves, insects, or bird sounds.

Step 2: Take a guided walk through a garden, park, or safe natural area, encouraging children to observe their surroundings.

Step 3: Use a magnifying glass to examine interesting objects up close, such as textures on leaves or small bugs.

Step 4: Ask open-ended questions during the walk to stimulate conversation and observational skills, like “What do you notice about this tree?” or “How does the breeze feel on your face?”

#3: Paint and Hang a Bird Feeder

This child-favorite spring activity allows preschoolers to express their creativity by painting and decorating a bird feeder that they can later hang in a garden or on a porch. This one of our favorite spring activities for preschoolers because it not only sparks artistic imagination but also introduces children to wildlife observation and environmental stewardship as they eagerly await visits from colorful feathered friends.

List of Supplies

• Pre-made bird feeder
• Child-safe paints in various spring colors
• Paintbrushes and paper towels for cleanup
• Non-toxic sealant for weatherproofing
• String or twine for hanging the feeder

Instructions

Step 1: Provide children with a pre-made bird feeder or guide them through assembling a simple DIY kit.

Step 2: Allow the children to paint the bird feeder using bright, spring-inspired colors, encouraging them to add personal touches and designs.

Step 3: Once the feeder is dry, help them attach string or twine securely to prepare it for hanging.

Step 4: Choose a safe, visible location outdoors to hang the bird feeder and explain to the children why it's important for birds and nature.

#4: Assemble a Spring-Themed Sensory Tray

Create an interactive, multi-sensory experience with a spring-themed sensory bins, designed to engage toddlers' tactile and visual senses. This hands-on activity encourages exploration and creativity while introducing natural elements of spring through little bins filled with various textures and colors.

List of Supplies

• A shallow tray or container
• Dried flowers, leaves, and small branches
• Artificial grass or green felt pieces
• Water beads or sensory gel

Instructions

Step 1: Cover the base of the tray with artificial grass, green felt, or a similar textured material to represent a spring garden.

Step 2: Arrange dried or fake flowers, leaves, and small branches across the tray, encouraging kids to touch and explore the different textures.

Step 3: Scatter water beads or a thin layer of sensory gel onto the tray for added tactile fun.

#5: Make Egg Carton Caterpillars

Engage in some delightful spring themed art by transforming recycled egg cartons into playful caterpillars. This one of our favorite spring activities for preschoolers because it invites kids to explore colors and textures while assembling their own little critters, making this simple activity a fun way to introduce the wonders of nature and recycling.

List of Supplies

• Recycled egg carton, cut into individual cups
• Child-safe paints or markers in various spring colors
• Paintbrushes and paper towels for cleanup
• Googly eyes or stickers for decorating faces
• Pipe cleaners or small strips of paper for antennae
• Scissors (for adult use or child-safe scissors for supervised cutting)
• Glue or a glue stick

Instructions

Step 1: Cut the egg carton into individual cups, one for each caterpillar body segment.

Step 2: Let the children paint or color each segment using bright, spring-inspired hues, add glitter, pom poms or other items, encouraging them to explore different designs and patterns.

Step 3: Once the segments are dry, assist the children in gluing them together in a row to form a caterpillar's body.

Step 4: Attach googly eyes or stickers on the first segment to create a playful face.

Step 5: Use a pipe cleaner antennae or cut out pieces of paper to complete the caterpillar’s look.

#6: Make Rainbow Ice Cubes

Spring is the perfect time to bring a burst of color to drink time. This playful spring activity for preschool aged kids that lets them create their very own rainbow juice cubes. By freezing layered fruit juices in fun sequences, children not only explore color mixing and layering but also witness a magical transformation as the cubes slowly reveal a vibrant spectrum in their drinks.

List of Supplies

• Ice cube trays (preferably clear or with wide compartments)
• Assorted fruit juices (such as strawberry, orange, lemon, lime, blue grape, and purple grape)
• A small spoon or dropper (to control juice layering)
• Measuring cup

Instructions

Step 1: Gather a variety of fruit juices in different colors to represent the hues of a rainbow.

Step 2: Using a dropper or small spoon, slowly pour one color of juice into each compartment of the ice cube tray, trying to create thin, distinct layers.

Step 3: Allow each layer to freeze slightly before adding the next to prevent the colors from mixing too much, creating a more defined layered effect.

Step 4: Once all layers have been filled, place the tray in the freezer for several hours or overnight until completely frozen.

Step 5: Remove the rainbow juice cubes from the tray and add them to a glass of water or a light, clear juice, allowing children to enjoy watching the erupting rainbows emerge as the ice melts.

#7: Grow Beans on Cotton Balls

Introduce young learners to the wonders of nature with a hands-on activity where they can watch a bean sprout grow right before their eyes. This engaging spring themed art project combines science, creativity, and responsibility, as preschoolers nurture their own mini garden on cotton balls.

List of Supplies

• Dry beans (such as lima, kidney, or black beans)
• Cotton balls
• A shallow container or clear plastic cup
• Water
• Paper and markers (optional, for labeling each bean container)

Instructions

Step 1: Dampen the cotton balls lightly with water and place them in the bottom of the container or plastic cup.

Step 2: Position a dry bean on each cotton ball, pressing it gently so it makes contact with the moist cotton.

Step 3: Label each container with the type of bean.

Step 4: Place the container in a sunny spot, encouraging the child to observe daily as the bean begins to sprout and grow.

Step 5: Maintain the cotton balls by adding a little water each day, discussing the changes and nurturing a sense of responsibility as the bean transforms over time.

#8: Build a Tissue Paper Butterfly Collage

Engage preschoolers in vibrant spring themed art by creating a tissue paper butterfly collage. In this activity, children use colorful tissue paper to craft delicate butterflies and flower shapes that can be displayed as a fun reminder of spring. The process fosters fine motor skills, creativity, and an understanding of patterns and colors in nature.

List of Supplies

• Markers or crayons for drawing
• Assorted tissue paper in bright spring colors or coffee filters
• Construction paper or poster board as the collage background
• Scissors (child-safe)
• Child-safe glue or glue sticks

Instructions

• Step 1: Prepare the collage base by laying out a large sheet of construction paper or poster board, inviting the children to design their background.
• Step 2: Demonstrate how to tear or cut tissue paper into small, varied shapes that will serve as the colorful wings of the butterflies.
• Step 3: Help the children draw a simple butterfly outline on the base, or allow them to create free-form collages where butterflies emerge as they layer tissue paper.
• Step 4: Guide the preschoolers in gluing the torn pieces of tissue paper onto the drawn outlines or designated areas to form the wings, emphasizing the blending of colors and textures.
• Step 5: Once the tissue paper is applied, allow the collage to dry, then encourage the children to add additional details with markers or crayons, such as antennae or patterns on the wings, finalizing their butterfly creations.

#9: Organize a Spring Literacy Corner

Create a cozy and inviting space for your toddler to explore the joys of reading and storytelling in a spring setting. Reading is one of the best spring activities for preschoolers to expand their mind and literary skills. This literacy activity transforms a small area into a vibrant space adorned with spring-themed decorations, crafts, and book suggestions, stimulating early language skills while celebrating the season.

List of Supplies

• A small table or reading nook area
• Spring-themed decorations (posters, free printables, fairy lights, potted plants)
• A selection of age-appropriate books featuring spring or nature themes
• Cushions or a comfortable rug for seating

Instructions

Step 1: Set up the designated area by arranging a small table or reading nook with comfortable seating, making sure the space is inviting and child-friendly.

Step 2: Have the child help decorate the area with spring motifs such as colorful posters, fairy lights, and spring-themed crafts made throughout the season.

Step 3: Curate a selection of spring-themed books and stories.

#10: Decorate Weather-Inspired Cupcakes

Last but not least in our list of spring activities for preschooler is cupcakes. Celebrate the magic of spring with a delicious twist by decorating cupcakes inspired by ever-changing weather patterns. In this activity, perfect for a birthday party celebration or a rainy day spent inside, preschoolers can transform plain cupcakes into delightful scenes. The cupcakes might feature rain showers, bright sunshine, playful rainbows, or delicate flower petals. Free printables featuring weather icons and inspirational designs can guide and inspire the decorating process, making it a fun and interactive art project as well as a tasty treat.

List of Supplies

• Pre-baked cupcakes
• Various colored icings (yellow and orange for the sun, blue for rain showers, multi-colored for rainbows)
• Edible decorations:
  • Sprinkles and mini candy drops
  • Small edible flower petals or piped designs to mimic natural blooms
• Free printable images of weather-themed designs for inspiration and tracing
• Squeeze bottles or pastry bags for controlled icing application
• Small spatulas or spreaders for smoothing the icing

Instructions

Step 1: Arrange the cupcakes on a clean surface.

Step 2: Let the children pipe colors of icing on each cupcake, mimicking designs for weather-related topics.

Step 3: Guide them to decorate with accents on each cupcake, adding a finishing touch inspired by the beauty of spring.

Step 4: Take a picture of the cupcake designs before eating them to keep as a memory.

Schedule a Tour of Our Child Care Center in Raleigh 

At Primary Beginnings, we believe that children learn and thrive in a nurturing, caring environment where they can explore, play, and discover in a way that fosters development. That's why we share spring activities with preschoolers and create experiences throughout the year, you can feel confident that your child's well being and development is our top priority.

To learn more about or Raleigh preschool or schedule a tour, call us at   919-790-6888 or fill out the form below.