Spring Outdoor Activities for Preschoolers

If you need some inspiration for things to do outdoors this Spring, this post is packed with good ideas.

a preschool age boy and girl running and laughing on a grassy area

Longer days, warmer weather, and that feeling of endless possibility can only mean one thing… Spring is here!

As the weather warms up but isn’t too hot yet (this is Texas after all) we’re delighted that we can get out and explore nature this time of year.

Here are some ideas of how YOU can make the most of the good weather and fresh air with your littles.

Outdoor Spring Activities

Whether you’re at home with young children or in the classroom all day with them, outdoor spring activities are usually a great mood booster for you and the kids.

Nature Study

Studying nature checks off those science boxes, and also give kids a chance for some real-world exploration.

Wildflowers

One of my favorite things about spring is the flowers in bloom. Lots of preschoolers are really interested in nature and love to name what they see.

If your kids are interested in flowers, check out my Kid Made Wildflower Field Guide. It’s a project they can work on all spring long and return to again and again.

Insects

Spring is also a fine time to learn about insects. From butterflies and ladybugs to grasshoppers and rolly pollies, there is a fascinating small world out there to learn about. I really like this kindergarten insect scavenger hunt for teaching children about insects.

girl looking upwards through a toy monocular with a spring green grass background

5 Senses Observations

There are so many beautiful things to see and hear outside in nature. My free printable Spring Nature Scavenger Hunt will get your littles to use both their eyes and ears.

Birdwatching

If your kids are anything like mine, they love animals – and birds too, of course. This beautiful activity from the RSPB, the Big Garden Birdwatch, is perfect for little birdwatchers.

I took this photo on a great nature walk with my own kids.

If you’re looking for more activity ideas, you can check out this lovely list of things to do on a walk with kids.

Outdoor Play Ideas

I know that getting out into nature is not so easy if you live in the middle of a city or if you don’t have a yard. You have to be deliberate sometimes when planning activities that help kids connect with nature.

There are still ways to get your littles out and about and into the air. If you have access to a sandbox, take a look at my Story Inspired Sandbox Activity. This is a simple activity for preschool teachers to use with their students.

On the subject of books, these are a great jumping-off point for fun activities outdoors. Lots of preschool books ask kids to count. Why not take your kids out and get them counting for real? How many red cars can you see? How many post boxes? How many green front doors?

Here’s another fun idea: make your own special sidewalk chalk paint! Check out my post here for instructions.

Finally, the kids just need to move, try one of these jumping games. They’re the most fun when you play them outdoors.

If you have some ideas about creative activities you can do with your littles, I’d love to hear about them. We can’t wait to get outside and feel the wind on our faces. Let us know what you get up to!