[Childcare] Fun Spring Activities: Ideas for Nature, Movement, and Crafts
In spring, when the warm sunlight feels pleasant, colorful grasses and flowers bloom and insects become active, giving children more chances to go outdoors and connect with nature.
So this time, we’re introducing fun play ideas that are perfect for spring.
We’ve gathered lots of engaging ideas that spark children’s curiosity—from nature-based activities unique to spring to fingerplays, eurhythmics, and crafts.
As a new school term begins, let’s incorporate plenty of play so children can spend each day freely and joyfully.
Let’s enjoy spring to the fullest!
Please note: In this text, items made by the children are treated as “works,” so we refer to them as “seisaku (制作).”
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[Childcare] Fun Spring Activities: Ideas for Nature, Physical Play, and Crafts (11–20)
Cherry blossom viewing
When we talk about spring events, cherry-blossom viewing—hanami—is the quintessential example.
For adults, hanami often means gathering under cherry trees, but it doesn’t have to be limited to cherry blossoms.
Observing colorful tulips blooming in flower beds or dandelions along the roadside is also a wonderful form of hanami.
It’s fun to notice discoveries like, “It was just a bud the other day!” or “I didn’t know the flowers would be this color!” If there are flowers in your playground or garden, that’s great; you can also take a hanami stroll to a nearby park.
Where did the escaped goldfish go?!
This is an activity inspired by the picture book “Where Is the Goldfish?” where children search for a goldfish hidden in the illustrations.
Along with the story of a goldfish that escapes from its bowl, children can enjoy following the narrative.
Place goldfish illustrations around a nursery or kindergarten classroom, and once the read-aloud is finished, you’re ready to go.
At the start signal, have the children look for the goldfish.
Counting how many goldfish have escaped together makes the activity even more fun.
Why not incorporate this play, which also trains concentration and observation skills, into your spring childcare program?
Finger play “Lie, Lie, Truth!”
“Usouso Honto!” is a hand-play song created by the music unit gaagaaS, who deliver music that everyone from children to adults can enjoy.
Set to a lively rhythm, the lyrics unfold with unique wordplay.
After the phrase “XX is YY,” players use gestures to show whether it’s a lie or the truth.
Since the song splits into parts like a questioner and an answerer, teachers can sing it as if quizzing the children.
Once you’ve learned the lyrics, it’s also fun to arrange the song by adding your own original phrases.
Try incorporating this April Fools’ Day–themed hand-play song into your early childhood education activities.
Making ladybugs with finger stamps
Finger stamps let you enjoy the fun, pitter-patter sensation of pressing paint with your fingertips.
Let’s make a cute craft themed around ladybugs gathering on spring plants and flowers! First, use red and black construction paper to create the ladybug parts.
Once the base ladybug is complete, use paint-covered fingers to add the patterns.
You can model it after species like the seven-spotted ladybug, or encourage children to add patterns freely using their imagination.
Try making this adorable piece that also works as interior decor, such as a spring wall decoration.
Spring Eurhythmics
Eurhythmics, which boosts a sense of rhythm and expressiveness by moving the body while enjoying music.
Let’s try a seasonal eurhythmics activity themed around spring children’s songs and traditional melodies.
By playing along with picture books and illustrations that match the music, you can train not only hearing but also vision.
You can also prepare transparent cut-out items and overlay them on objects around the room.
Changing the rhythm or key of the music is another idea that lets you enjoy various arrangements.
Give this activity a try to enjoy music and movement at the same time.
Spring nature play
These are activities everyone can enjoy together while experiencing the rich nature of spring.
In nursery or kindergarten yards, parks, or on field trips, children can really feel the arrival of spring.
As you introduce spring-blooming flowers and plants, let the children see and touch them to sense the season.
It’s also fun to look for insects in the grass or soil and to play on playground equipment with friends in the park.
These are ideas for play that let children savor the unique seasonal feeling of spring through contact with nature.
Try incorporating outdoor play that fosters children’s free imagination into your childcare settings.
[Childcare] Fun Spring Activities: Ideas for Nature, Physical Play, and Crafts (21–30)
flower picking game
This is an idea that lets you feel the richness of spring by picking flowers in parks and along walking paths.
Why not pick spring bloomers like dandelions and clover to create seasonal items? While basking in the warm spring sunshine, pick flowers together with the kids.
Simply playing by picking flowers is fun on its own, but you can also decorate a cardboard backing with the flowers.
Draw illustrations like butterflies or vases and freely arrange the picked flowers on top.
Enjoy it as an activity, then turn it into a decorative item you can display as a spring ornament.