Spring is finally here! For some parts of the country, this means the snow has finally melted and flowers are starting to bloom. But for those in the Southwest, this means we’re just getting closer to hot summer temperatures. But no matter where you live, spring is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful weather. In this article, we’ll talk about several fun spring activities for kids with special needs
Spring is one of the best times of the year to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. Here are some fun outdoor activities you can do with your child.
Get creative and make a mini-golf course in your own backyard! Gather up outdoor playthings like pool toys, sand toys, jump ropes, hula hoops, and more to create fun and challenging courses. You can even buy plastic cups in the yard to use as holes, or cut empty 2-liter bottles to create tunnels and archways. You can get as creative as you want! Of course, there’s always the extra fun of visiting public mini-golf courses; just make sure your child is comfortable being in public spaces.
It’s time to pull out the sidewalk chalk and get drawing! You and your child can create beautiful chalk scenes like gardens or playhouses. You can even design chalk racecourses and have your child walk, bike, or scooter through them. Be sure to incorporate some real toys into these scenes for extra fun! And remember: you can never have too much color!
Lots of kids love going to playgrounds, and this is the perfect chance to incorporate some sensory activities into their play. Gather some woodchips, sand, and grass for them to hold and examine. Help them learn independence when they guide themselves through tunnels, climbing bars, and slides. Just keep an eye on them to avoid injury.
What better way is there to enjoy the outdoors than by having a scavenger hunt? Make a list of items found in nature, like flowers, trees, butterflies, birds, pinecones, seeds, and more, and let your child explore the outdoors. Check off each item as your child discovers it. Let them hold some of these items in their hands (whenever possible) so they can experience smells and textures. Be sure to take lots of photos so you can compare items and look back on the fun later!
Nature walks are a great way to explore the neighborhood—or perhaps visit a new location. Encourage your child to make their own discoveries and document the changes that occur with each season. For example, they might discover new flowers that are blooming where there was once snow. Have your child make a list of all these changes, and consider taking pictures of these changes to reflect on later. This is a great way to learn about the changing of seasons while also enjoying the beautiful outdoors.
Gardening is a great sensory activity, and it also helps to build focus and hand-eye coordination. Have your child pick out their favorite types of flowers and plants, and then work with them to plant them in your yard or in a planter box. Demonstrate how to care for seedlings, and watch as your child helps these plants sprout and grow. They will feel so accomplished seeing their hard work pay off with beautiful flowers in the summertime!
Set up a cozy place in the yard where your child can read, draw, or just relax in the shade. Bring plenty of pillows, blankets, books, and toys to decorate the space, and make sure to bring an umbrella or tarp for some shade. You can also bring some healthy snacks and fun drinks for extra relaxation!
Let your creativity run wild and recreate indoor games outside! For example, you can use sticks or pool noodles to set up a large tic tac toe board. Or cut out large paper squares to set up an outdoor Twister mat. The sky is the limit when it comes to recreating these games!
Springtime weather doesn’t always cooperate. After all, spring rains bring forth beautiful flowers! But for those rainy days, there are still a variety of activities you can do indoors that are just as fun.
On a rainy day, sometimes there’s nothing better than snuggling up inside with a good book. Create a quiet indoor space full of blankets and pillows to make it cozy. You can even add quiet time activities like puzzles, books, and coloring items to keep your child mentally stimulated. If you want to add an auditory element to the space, consider adding a radio to play some soft music.
Has it been a while since you’ve had a family board night? Rainy days make a perfect time! Pull out your old board games and decide which ones to play as a family. And even if they don’t have all the pieces, that’s ok! Mix and match pieces, create new rules, and have some fun.
Sometimes the best activities are the simplest ones. Pull out some craft paper, crayons, pencils, and paint, and get creative! Your child can follow along with a coloring book or create new art all on their own. You can even pull out some crafting materials like cotton balls, macaroni noodles, popsicle sticks, and more to incorporate into their art.
Scavenger hunts can be just as fun inside as they are outside. Make a list of household items such as shoes, coins, utensils, etc., and place them in different spots around the house. Take pictures for reference. You can also use the scavenger hunt as an idea to have your kids help clean up around the house.
Hone in on your baking skills when those springtime rains keep you inside. Pull out favorite family recipes or get creative and make your own! Have your child help you prepare and measure the ingredients. Just make sure your little one has plenty of supervision to avoid spills and injury.
Rainy days are the perfect time to pull out your family’s favorite movies. For extra fun, you can make your own batch of homemade popcorn or pull out some healthy snacks. And to make it extra cozy, be sure to include some comfy pillows, blankets, and stuffed toys.
We hope this list has helped you think of some fun activities to do with your children this spring. The important thing is to be creative, explore new places, and have some fun! Here are some resources you can explore for some additional seasonal activity ideas. Feel free to reach out to On Angel’s Wings, Inc. if you have any questions or comments about other activities or resources for families with special needs.