We all have them- those childhood core memories that help define springtime. It may be a picnic by the lake with your family. Or the crack of a bat at a Little League game. Sometimes it’s more negative- when you were eaten alive by mosquitoes at a campfire. Some of those memories really stick with us and, as parents, we try to give our own kiddos some great ones. When toddlers and preschoolers are so little, the springtime experiences really don’t have to be expensive or hugely dramatic. As I’ve said before, little ones are new here- experiencing so much for the first time. By being intentional, we can give them some really meaningful experiences that stick with them and help us connect with them on their level.
I’ve pulled together some of my favorite springtime experiences from my own children and from activities we’ve done in my preschool classroom. I’ve also included some companion books to go along with the experiences because- you know- children’s books are my jam. There are links to Amazon, but the library could be an even better resource.
Butterfly Kit
We are using a kit in our classroom right now and it’s amazing! The children absolutely love watching the caterpillars and seeing them all grow. This is one of the springtime experiences that they talk about all day- to us, to each other, to their families. I love to think that they are building a real core memory and learning so much! Here’s the Butterfly Garden we used. The kit comes with a sealed cup with caterpillars that you can watch as they eat and grow. They make their chrysalis in the cup, then you transfer them to a net container. After about 10-14 days, the butterflies push their way out. Then you can release them outside. Beware: it can also be a lesson in the fragileness of life. We’ve had a few caterpillars not make it, but it’s also another opportunity to talk about life and death in a safe and loving way.
A beautiful book that can support the experience is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. This classic book includes simple descriptive language and an explanation of the changes your little will observe. This book is wonderful for toddlers and preschoolers. As your child develops more language, they may appreciate a book with a little more sophisticated vocabulary, such as Fancy Nancy Explorer Extraordinaire by Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser. My own children were big Fancy Nancy fans. Nancy is fancy, but still likes bugs and being outside. This might be a book you kind of skip around, reading the parts that seem more interesting to your child.
Oobleck
Making oobleck was probably my daughter Maisie’s favorite activity. This kid loved a good messy, sensory activity as a toddler. This is definitely an outdoor experience with a little. For any science nerds, oobleck a “non-Newtonian fluid” (part liquid, part solid, all fun). Just mix 1 part water to 1.5 parts cornstarch. You can add some food coloring to make it more interesting, but the color is not necessary. No real rules for this activity once it’s outside. They probably shouldn’t eat it, but it’s corn starch, so not toxic. Put in a low bowl or pan & enjoy!
An oldie but goodie book to go along with this activity is Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Suess. Published in 1949 (!!), it is a little long, but has a great message about the power of a sincere apology. Also, just crazy rhymes and language, as a classic Dr. Suess. For slightly smaller littles, Llama Llama Mess Mess Mess by Anna Dewdney is a favorite. The mother in the Llama Llama series sets the gold standard for kindness in parenting. It’s all about, well, a mess that needs to be cleaned and a creative way to address the issue.
Grow a Bean Seed in a Bag
My daughter, Kinsley, loved this springtime experience! Put a bean seed in a Ziplock with a damp paper towel and tape to a window that gets sunlight. Bean seeds grow quickly, so within a few days, it will start to sprout- like magic!! Sometimes, the paper towel can get some mold/mildew, so be sure to leave the bag open slightly to allow a little fresh air in. Replant the sprout in a pot with potting soil and you’ll have a full-grown bean plant in a few weeks. This is a pretty simple way to get a cool gardening experience without the commitment of a full garden. It’s also really manageable for a little one to observe and have a real hand in the experience! A great resource with more information on this topic is The Science Kiddo.
So many amazing books out there on the topic of growing and gardening! I had to limit my choices, but there are so many to choose from! Another oldie but a goodie is The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss and Crockett Johnson. This one just warms my heart! A little boy plants a carrot seed and, with wonderful childhood faith, cares for it until the carrot grows. This one is a simple story for all ages. The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle is another beautifully illustrated book that follows a seed on its long journey to become a mammoth flower. This one has some really great vocabulary and more details to expand on the concept of plant growth. Another delightful story about an intentional mom and sweet child is Lola Plants a Garden by Anna McQuinn and Rosalind Beardshaw. My own children loved Lola books! Lola and her mother plan and plant a garden and share the experience with Lola’s friends. The classic nursery rhyme, Mary, Mary Quite Contrary, is incorporated into the story, making it even richer with language.
Draw with Chalk
This is another Watson Family classic. My kids spent hours drawing with chalk and their imaginations just went in every direction. Caleb and Ani made obstacle courses with lots of instructions for jumping, spinning and crawling. I traced their bodies on the ground in various positions, and they filled in the features making themselves basketball players, soccer players, princesses. They made scenes with rainbows and hearts. One Christmas, we made a chalk tree and the kids posed around it “decorating” the tree for our holiday card. For some reason, this activity was often calming before or after dinner as the days got longer.
A wonderful companion book for this activity is Katie’s Sunday Afternoon by James Mayhew. In the story, Katie visits a museum and, while Grandma is napping, she enters into some eminent paintings and experiences their worlds. This is such a fun way to encourage those budding imaginations as well as expose them to classic artists and art! James Mayhew has created several Katie stories around various artists and art movements, so there is much to explore if your little is inspired by this book!
Go Fly a Kite
It doesn’t get much more classic springtime experience than flying a kite! We lived near the ocean when my kids were little, so we often had windy springs. This was such an integral part of our springtime adventures. Unfortunately, my youngest, Kinsley, has a core memory of losing her kite when she let go to fix the Velcro on her shoe, so hold tight!!
A simple, lovely companion book for this activity is The Windy Day by Anna Milbourne and Elena Temporin. The book describes wind in a little bit of an educational way and a little bit of a magical way. It’s comforting and fun to see a child with his mother and their springtime experiences with their kite and the wind. Another beautiful story is Blue Sky, Yellow Kite by Janet A. Holmes and Jonathan Bentley. It explores a new friendship centered around a kite flying experience between a boy and girl. This is such an enchanting book that uses illustrations to supplement the storytelling so gracefully. It also talks about kite flying technique a little bit.
Go Enjoy Spring!
I hope you find a few nuggets here that will help you create some core memories with springtime experiences for your little this spring! Please share this post with someone who might find it helpful!
For more suggestions on selecting books, see the GLP Post here!
