5 Things to Do Together in Spring

At last there seems to be a break in the cold weather and it’s starting to feel more spring-like. I enjoyed a lovely little walk with my daughter after school yesterday. We did not go very far but it was so nice to get outdoors and to feel the warmth of the sun. We took photos of pretty flowers and the sheep as we passed them in the field. We of course took a little snack with us, which we sat and enjoyed in the church grounds before heading home. It was lovely just chatting and listening to the birds and all the while feel the warm sun on us. It was so warm that we had to strip a layer off. I think it was probably warmer outside than it was at home! We spotted a tiny little ladybird that was basking in the sunshine on a leaf in the church grounds.

“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.”

John Muir

Getting outdoors is great for both our physical and mental well-being. Personally I find getting outdoors is great for my mind and soul. It calms me and quietens my busy brain. It seems to have similar benefits for my daughter. She occasionally protests before hand but always enjoys it. We tend to see lots of wildlife and things of interest when out too so it has additional value in a learning sense.

Here are 5 things to do together in spring and ways to enjoy spring outdoors with your family.

1. picnic

As you may have realised this is one of our very favourite things to do and it’s something we do in the nicer weather after school, as well as on weekends or during the holidays. An after school picnic almost gives you the feeling that you are on holiday. Our preferred picnic spot would likely be next to a river or the sea so we can also combine eating with getting our feet wet! But honestly, any nice outdoor space will do. We often have a picnic in the garden if we don’t feel like going anywhere, and that can be just as nice. Pack a picnic basket, cool bag or rucksack with your family’s snacks of choice and head to a nearby park, beach, wood or other place of natural beauty. It’s the perfect way to relax, bond, chat and soak in the beauty. Don’t forget to take your rubbish home with you and leave the area just as you found it.

2. Nature Hike

Explore the great outdoors together with a hike in nature. You don’t need to walk miles and miles or choose anything overly strenuous. Why not look for a local trail or nature reserve in your area to explore. Often you will find that they will have activities to keep children engaged on the walk. A forest trail near us has characters from a well known book for children to find on their way round, as well as points of interest with things for children to do or think about. An extra activity pack can also be purchased to include further fun for the children. While on your hike keep your eyes peeled for signs of wildlife (such as tracks, sounds etc) and for any actual creatures you can spot along with flowers and trees. Just last week we spotted a slow worm and a brimstone butterfly both enjoying the spring sunshine, though not together!

3. Plant in your garden

What better time to start your own family garden than spring! It doesn’t matter if you have a small garden, courtyard garden or just pots on a balcony. You can still plant seeds together. Planting seeds for flowers, herbs and vegetables can be fun, productive and an educational activity for everyone. The Salvation Army currently have a free “Get Growing Guide” that may be helpful and give you motivation.

4. Visit a farm or farmers market

Depending on what is in your local area you may be able to enjoy a trip to a local farm that allows the public to visit, or a community farm, where you can meet animals and see a working farm. You may prefer to seek out a farmers market in a town nearby, They will often have a range of different produce from fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese, honey, baked goods and much more. If funds allow you could encourage your child to choose a food they would like to buy and taste. This could be a great opportunity to learn about where food comes from and to try new foods.

5. outdoor games and sports

The days will gradually be getting longer, so why not make the most of it by venturing outdoors to play some games or sports together. We are very lucky to have an outdoor tennis court within our community that we can book and make use of. Last summer we bought a very inexpensive kids badminton set. we took it to a lovely big open grassy area where we were able to hit the shuttlecock back and forth to each other over a bench. I had not anticipated quite how much running this would involve but it was fun regardless, and the exercise will have been good for me! So grab a frisbee, a ball, a shuttlecock or just yourselves and get outdoors and moving together. Most importantly, have fun!