5 Language-based Spring Activities

Here are my top 5 at-home Spring activities. They are easy-to-do, educational, allow for creativity, and fun! For more Spring activities, book, and speech-language idea follow me on Instagram @rachelkirsonslp!

1. Spring Vocabulary Tree

A basic vocabulary activity paired with a craft is a win-win for everyone. Children are to incorporate crafting into activities, while we get to teach them something new!

Here’s what you need:

Construction Paper (I like to cut mine into a Butterfly or Tree as they remind of me of Spring. Feel free to do what you like. Ladybug? Duck?)
Glue Stick
Google Images of: Spring, March, April, May, sunny, rainy, cloudy, windy, sunglasses, rainboots, raincoat, garden, seed, dirt, sprout, watering can, flower, grow, frog, duck, bunny, chicks, bird, nest, Easter, Passover, Mother’s Day, grass, park, picnic, bug, bee, grasshopper, ladybug, caterpillar, cocoon, butterfly (I like to write the name/label above the image).
A Spring Book

Steps:

Start by putting a few pictures out and seeing
what the child knows. Allow him/her to
independently express what they know!

If they don’t, start by labeling a picture. Say a
few simple sentences about it, and then ask
the child, “What is this?”.

Glue the image(s) down.
Review/go over the images at the end. Ask the
child to tell you some things they learned.

Hang it up on the refrigerator, wall, and refer
back to it as your child experiences some
spring-like activities!

2. Plant a Seed and Read What Does A Seed Need? by Liz Goulet DuBois

Nothing reminds me more of Springtime than plants and flowers blooming. Gardening may not for everyone, but this activity can be done by a novice! It’s easy, fun, interactive and educational.

Here’s what you need:

Small pot OR unwaxed paper cup OR biodegradable planting cups
Seed (Dried lima or kidney beans, grass, small herb, etc)
Seed-starting mix
Shovel (something to scoop soil, a large spoon works!)
Spray water bottle or watering can
Plastic tray (to keep the plant on)
What Does A Seed Need? (Book) by Liz Goulet DuBois

Steps:

Step 1: Read What Does a Seed Need? book
Step 2: If you’re using an unwaxed paper cup, poke 4 holes in the bottom
Step 3: Have your child scoop soil into the cup or pot ¾ of the way
Step 4: Put seeds in
Step 5: Scoop/Fill in remaining space in cup or pot and pat it down
Step 6: Water, cover with seran/plastic wrap, and put in a high warm spot (top shelf, top of refrigerator). Water often and keep moist at all times.
Step 7: Now, take What Does A Seed Need? back out and have your child re-tell you the story as you go through the pages!
Step 8: Once your seed has sprouted, move to a warm and sunny area near a window and rotate often.

3. What am I? Egg Hunt

There’s nothing more exciting than a hunt! This is the perfect outdoor activity for a beautiful spring day.

Here’s what you need:

Sunny Day
Plastic Colored Eggs (the dollar store, grocery store, craft store)
Small Candies (jelly beans, Hershey Kisses, Smarties)
Images/Picture (for non-readers)
Pen & Paper (for readers)

Steps:

FOR NON-READERS:, Put a different picture (e.g duck, basketball) in every egg. Each time the child discovers an egg, have he/she tell you 2-3 things about it (e.g. Duck – quacks, yellow, swims) (e.g. Basketball – round/circle, bounces, orange).

FOR NON-READERS & READERS: Put a different picture (e.g duck, basketball) in every egg. Have the non-reader open each egg and describe the item to the reader. He/She will have to guess it!

FOR READERS: Write some clues about an item (e.g. I’m a type of animal, I’m yellow with an orange beak, I say quack – DUCK) and end with “What am I?. The child will have to guess using the context clues. They can always ask for more hints.

**At the end of the game, each child gets a candy for every egg they collect!

I’m a type of animal.

I’m yellow with an orange beak.

I say QUACK!

WHAT AM I?

4. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Book paired with the Life Cycle Visual/Lesson

This iconic children’s book is loved by all ages! It pairs perfectly with teaching the life cycle of a butterfly.

Here’s what you need:

Visual (from Google) of the Life Cycle of a Butterfly.
Another visual of the Life Cycle of a Butterfly that the child must put together and label. (I like to use a black/white that the children put together.)
Scissors, crayons/markers, glue stick (Depending on what kind of visual you choose).
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Steps:

Step 1: Using The full image of the Life Cycle of the Butterfly, go through the different stages (Egg, Caterpillar, Chrysalis, Butterfly)
Step 2: Read The Very Hungry Caterpillar – ask questions and label throughout story.
Step 3: Have the child put together the life cycle visuals, label and color.

5. Read Fisher Price, Little People SPRING IS HERE! (Lift the Flap Book)

There is nothing special about this activity, other than spending a full 30-minutes bombarding your child with language! I can spend an entire session talking about this book with children. The pages are loaded with spring vocabulary, letters, numbers, action verbs, animals and their offspring (cow/calf, sheep/lamb), colors, spring activities, and so much more! Try it yourselves on a rainy spring day.