Spring Outdoor Activities for Kids

I hope if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere that it’s getting warm enough where you live to add in some outdoor activities with the kids. It’s easy to do a lot of learning outside when the weather is nice; my daughter has a fond memory of doing long division in sidewalk chalk at her school. But if you need some more specific ideas, here are some fun and educational spring outdoor activities for kids to do at home or at school.

Gather some glass bottles, rocks and other natural materials to make a garden xylophone with these instructions from The Moments at Home. This looks so fun, and you can use this idea to make musical instruments with other objects you find around the home/classroom/playground too.

This post from Child’s Play ABC has a lot of great outdoor learning ideas for kids, but the one I wanted to highlight is going on a rainbow scavenger hunt. Kids can collect things of different colors and see if they can make a rainbow (or just sort things by color). Check out more ideas for scavenger hunts.

Another good activity to do with things you collect from outdoors is making natural paint brushes. Get the instructions from Messy Little Monster, and of course you can test them out by painting outside, too.

Speaking of art, have you ever made paint from dandelions? (I dyed yarn with dandelions once, and it was a lot of fun.) Learn how from Little Cooks Reading Books, and then you can use your natural paintbrushes along with natural paint!

You can also paint with mud, like in this post from There’s Just One Mommy. Or make an outdoor, garden themed sensory bin with real dirt like this one from Mess for Less.

Or kids can gather materials to help them build their own nests as they learn about how birds and other animals build nests. The Crazy Outdoor Mama has a printable and post that will help.

What activities do you love to do with kids when it’s nice outside?

Read These Next

Let’s be real—crochet kits like the Lowink Blanket are lifesavers for beginners. They give you everything you need to actually finish a project (a miracle in the crafting world). But here’s the secret no one tells you: the second you finish that last stitch, you’ve got a blank canvas—not just a blanket.

I’ve taught hundreds of crocheters at my yarn shop, and the moment someone masters the basic pattern, their eyes light up with the same question: “Okay… now how do I make this feel like mine ?”

Turns out, you don’t need to be some crochet wizard to transform this simple blanket into something extraordinary. Here are seven stupid-easy tweaks I’ve seen work magic—no unraveling required.

1. The “Oops, I Made It Look Expensive” Ombré Hack

Perfect for: Using up leftover yarn scraps

The Problem:
The kit gives you one gorgeous color. But let’s be honest—we all have that random skein of a slightly different blue lurking in our stash.

The Fix:
When you’re about halfway through your blanket:

Hold both yarns together (the original + your new color) for 5 rows.
Drop the original yarn, continuing with just the new one.

Voilà—a gradual fade that looks intentional (even if you totally winged it).

Pro Tip: For a “I meant to do that” effect, choose a new color 2 shades lighter/darker than the original.

2. The “Texture Rebel” Move

Perfect for: When you’re bored but don’t want to learn a new stitch

The Problem:
Single crochet is reliable… but after 40 rows, your hands start moving on autopilot while your brain checks out.

The Fix:
Every 10th row, switch to alpine stitch (it’s just single crochet with extra drama):

Insert hook under the back loop only instead of both loops.
That’s it. You’ve now created subtle ridges that feel luxe under your fingers.

Why It Works:
The pattern stays the same size, but suddenly your blanket has ~architecture~.

3. The “Secret Stash Pocket” (For Your Remote… or Chocolate)

Perfect for: Blankets destined for couch duty

The Problem:
Blankets are cozy. Blankets with hidden compartments are life-changing.

The Fix:

Crochet a rectangle 10 stitches wide x 8 rows long in the same yarn.
When you’re 5 rows from finishing your blanket, sew this pocket onto the backside (leave the top open).
Continue crocheting over it like nothing happened.

Now you’ve got a spot to stash:
? TV remotes
? Emergency crochet hooks
? That last piece of Halloween candy you’re hiding from your kids

4. The “Two-Hour Fringe Glow-Up”

Perfect for: When you need instant boho vibes

The Truth About Fringe:
Most tutorials make it sound like you need a PhD in macramé. Reality? It’s just:

Cut 30 pieces of yarn (double your desired fringe length).
Fold each in half, poke the loop through a stitch, and pull the ends through.

Next-Level Trick:
Use a contrasting color for the fringe. That navy blanket with mustard fringe? Chef’s kiss.

5. The “Pompom Escape Route”

Perfect for: Hiding slightly uneven edges (we’ve all been there)

The Situation:
You followed the pattern perfectly… but one side of your blanket curls like it’s trying to escape.

The Save:

Buy a $3 pompom maker (or use cardboard).
Attach pompoms every 6 inches along the wonky edge.

Suddenly, what was a “mistake” looks like a design choice.

6. The “Label of Legitimacy”

Perfect for: Gifts that say “I’m basically a professional”

Why It Matters:
A handwritten tag sewn into the corner with:

Your name
The date
Care instructions (“Wash cold, hide from cats”)

…makes your blanket look store-bought fancy.

Bonus Points:
Use a candle lighter to gently melt the tag’s edges so they don’t fray.

7. The “Ultimate Cheat: Just Change the Yarn”

Perfect for: When you want a whole new vibe

The Revelation:
The Lowink pattern works with any chunky yarn. Try:

Cotton for summer (lighter, breathable)
Wool for winter (felts slightly over time = built-in vintage charm)
Variegated yarn (hides tension inconsistencies like a dream)

Your Turn: Which Hack Speaks to You?

I’ve seen students combine #3 (pocket) + #5 (pompoms) for the ultimate “movie night” blanket, or #1 (ombré) + #6 (label) for heirloom-quality baby gifts.

The real magic? None of these require learning new stitches—just a willingness to play.