Spring Is Officially Here!

March 20 marks the official launch of spring. Help your children celebrate this arrival by discovering more about what happens in the Springtime. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Make a temperature chart to monitor the rising temps as spring continues.

Make a rain gauge

You can make a rain gauge out of an empty plastic soda bottle. Make a funnel by cutting off the top of the bottle just below the contoured portion. Use vinyl tape to cover the cut edges, both on the funnel and the open bottle. Place a strip of tape to the face of the bottle bottom, a couple inches from its base. Measuring up from the strip, mark 6 1/2-inch increments with additional strips of tape. Drop some rocks or marbles into the bottle for weight. Insert the funnel into the top of the gauge and pour in enough water to reach the bottom mark. Place the gauge on a level, open spot outdoors and wait for rain.

Take a field trip to a greenhouse.

Make a spring basket

Take small milk cartons (school size) cut off the top and wash. Punch holes in opposite sides for a handle. Let your child tear construction paper into small pieces and glue onto the sides of the box for confetti decoration. Insert the end of a pipe cleaner into the punched hole on one side and twist to secure. Repeat this process with the other hole and you have a handle.

Take your spring baskets and go on a scavenger hunt to look for signs of spring and gather some along the way.

Dandelion painting

Gather a couple fresh dandelions and/or other natural objects (leaves, bark, evergreen, etc.). Dip the dandelions into paint and press gently onto the paper. Lift the flower and see the imprint on the paper. Add decoration to the dandelion print using other natural objects. This is great for making cards or wrapping paper.

Speedy Bird Racers

Ready, set, fly! You'll soon see flocks of birds flying back from the southern states - another mark of spring's arrival. Let your kids participate in the spring migration by making colorful birds to race on a string. Click Here