Spring is the perfect time to blend education with adventure, especially for the little tykes stepping into the vast world of learning.
With the weather warming up and nature bursting with new life, opportunities for discovery and growth are as abundant as the blossoming flowers.
Here are 10 exciting and instructive ways your toddler can spring into the season’s flourishing educational opportunities.
Outdoor Exploration
Gardening
Teaching your toddler to grow a plant from a tiny seed not only instills responsibility but also a sense of wonder and patience. Grab some seeds, a small pot, and watch the miracle of life unfold in a few weeks. You can read all about gardening with your toddler here.
Nature Walks
Take a leisurely stroll in a nearby park or forest. Encourage your toddler to notice the changes spring brings — new leaves, blooming flowers, and the return of birds.
Everything is new to your toddler so keep that in mind!
Sensory Play
Use this exciting season to introduce your child to the wonders of touch and smell.
Sensory play does not have to be messy or complicated!
It just means using your senses to learn and explore.
Going out and listening to the birds is a sensory activity!
Learn through Daily Routines
Getting Dressed
With warmer weather coming it means there may be a wardrobe change as well.
Take time to explain to your toddler why we wear lighter clothes in the spring and how to dress appropriately for the weather.
Get more ideas on how to teach your toddler through routines here.
Springtime Printables
Try doing a spring scavenger hunt (download here) or get all of my printables in my Springtime Learning Pack which includes bingo, puzzles, play-doh mats, and more HERE.
Music and Movement
Dance Parties
Turn on some lively spring music and have a dance party in the living room. They’ll love bopping around to the rhythm and it’s a great way to develop their motor skills.
Sing Songs
Sing some spring songs together to encourage new words and boost language development. Some of my favorite springtime songs include Itsy Bitsy Spider, Five Little Ducks, and 5 Little Speckled Frogs.
Pretend to Be Animals
Have your toddler pretend to be some of their favorite springtime animals.
Hopping like a bunny, waddling like a duck, or crawling like a caterpillar are all fun and educational ways to incorporate physical activity.
Storytime Adventures
Reading Outdoors
Pick a sunny day, lay out a blanket, and read a stack of books outside. The fresh air will keep your toddler engaged for long story sessions.
Head to the Library
Head to the library and find some books that are all about springtime.
Your child can learn about springtime activities and new vocabulary while enjoying a fun day out.
Storytelling
Encourage your toddler to tell you a story based on their favorite spring character. They could even act it out for you!
Early Math Fun
Counting Flowers
Make a game out of counting the petals on a flower. This not only practices counting but also introduces odd and even numbers.
Sorting Spring Objects
Gather a bunch of different objects from the garden, and ask your toddler to sort them by size, color, or type.
Science Experiments
Plant Growth Observations
Plant a few seeds together and every day, examine them under a magnifying glass to watch the growth.
Weather Watching
In the morning, predict the day’s weather with your toddler. At night, check together to see if they were right.
Sensory Play
Sand and Water Play
Fill up a tub with sand and another with water, and watch them have endless fun. Add cups and funnels for the water, and shovels for the sand to enhance the experience.
Nature Textures
Go on a texture hunt and touch bark, moss, petals, or even the soft fur of a new leaf.
Kitchen Creativity
Baking Spring Treats
Whip up some simple spring-themed muffins or cookies together. Discuss ingredients and teach them about measuring.
Make Spring Pictures with Food
Create springtime plates by using food to turn their plate into a flower, bunny, or chick.
Create Crafts
Springtime Collage
Use old magazines and a piece of paper to make a beautiful spring-themed collage together.
Nature Art
Take a nature walk and collect items like leaves, flowers, and twigs to create an art masterpiece using glue and paper.
Enjoy Springtime With Your Little One!
Springtime is a season teeming with opportunities for fun, discovery, and learning, particularly for toddlers eager to explore the world around them.
By integrating activities like gardening, sensory play, dance parties, outdoor reading, and nature math into their daily routines, parents and educators can harness the season’s vibrant energy to instill valuable lessons in responsibility, physical health, creativity, and critical thinking.
Whether it’s through planting seeds, crafting with natural materials, or experimenting with kitchen science, each activity is designed to spark curiosity and a love for learning in young minds.
As we bid farewell to winter, these springtime adventures are perfect for making education an exciting and joyous part of your toddler’s growth and development.
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Kayla O’Neill has a master’s degree in education as well as a bachelor’s degree in special education with an emphasis in early childhood education. She has been working as a developmental therapist with babies and toddlers in early intervention since 2012. She is also a mom with two young children.