Spring Fun for Families

If your family is anything like mine the warm but still mild temperatures and blooming flowers are calling you out from your winter hibernation routine. What does the family with cabin fever do once they actually get outside? I've got some ideas that might help spring grow on you.

Don't just sit there. Grow something! Kids love to garden. It's full of water, dirt, and you get to see something grow right before your eyes. What's not to love? Check your local growing zone to see when you should plant outdoors or start seeds indoors a little bit early. Help kids decide which plant they want to grow. Younger children might appreciate something that grows quickly and easily such a bean plant. Other ideas include nasturtiums and sunflowers. You might want to consider a tomato or cucumber plant as well. Eating something they helped to grow can help young gardeners feel a sense of pride and connection to nature they might not have had before. Being responsible for something that needs watering and regular care can help instill a sense of responsibility and accomplishment.

Happy trails to you and to the rest of the family too. The idea of hiking can be intimidating, especially if it's a new activity for your brood. Hiking doesn't have to be a long boring experience. It can be tailored to the personal preferences of your family. Try calling the local parks and recreation department to see if they offer any group family hikes. Check your city web page online or a map of your area to see which parks offer good walking trails. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes, pack healthy snacks, and bring along plenty of water for everyone. Spring means that nature is alive so a field guide to help identify the plants and animals you see can make things a lot more fun. If you have an infant I recommend that you use a baby sling, backpack, or stroller so that baby has a great place to see the sights from too.

Create a haven for winged friends! Enticing birds and butterflies to your yard isn't as hard as you might think. Your family can make bird feeders from a variety of recycled household items or a kit from stores such as Home Depot. Look for a general bird seed that will appeal to a wide variety of birds. Butterflies love many different kinds of flowers that just happen to be beautiful. A simple butterfly and bird area can be created out of a very small spot in your garden. Be sure to choose a sunny location and do some research on which plants are the best. Typically butterflies love lavender, cosmos, and not surprisingly butterfly bush located next to sandy shallow puddles of water. Warm stones can provide a place for butterflies to soak up some sun. As an outdoor art tie in why not have the kids paint their favorite bird or butterfly. You can have their artwork laminated and hang in outside near the spot you choose.

Have a field day, literally. Think back to the fun outdoor games of your childhood. Do you remember "Red Rover" and "Simon Says"? What about obstacle courses or freeze tag? These games have a timeless quality and are just as fun today as they were for children twenty or even fifty years ago. Such games are the most fun with a group so invite your friends or neighbors over on the warmest spring day for an afternoon of games and snacks. The whole family will remember it for years to come. Don't forget to take pictures of everyone in action!