[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)
one bamboo shoot
Takenoko Ippon is a game themed around bamboo shoots, a spring seasonal ingredient.
Players split into two roles: the demon who pulls up the bamboo shoot, and the bamboo shoots themselves.
The game starts with the demon’s call.
In response to the chant “Give me XX bamboo shoots,” the players acting as bamboo shoots react.
If the demon manages to pull someone out of the line and separate them, they lead that person back to their side.
Children can enjoy a variety of body movements, like clinging to or being carried by teachers or friends.
Try this unique game both indoors and outdoors.
Spring Birdwatching
When spring comes, you’ll spot birds more often on your walks.
When you hear birdsong, many kids will wonder, “What kind of bird is that?” So why not head out on a nice day to look for wild birds? Birds gather not only in nature-rich areas but also in urban parks.
In spring, migratory birds come to Japan to lay eggs and raise their young.
If you happen to see them building nests, you’re in luck.
It’s a great chance to learn that, besides the familiar birds you usually see, there are many different kinds out there.
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.
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)
Let’s have fun searching for spring wildflowers
When spring comes, small, cute flowers start appearing along the roadsides, don’t they? Dandelions, white clover, and fleabane are typical examples, but there are also edible plants like horsetails and mugwort.
How about going outside to look for these spring plants? Dandelions, which many children are familiar with, actually come in two types: Japanese and foreign varieties.
You can tell the difference by looking at the back of the flower.
You can also have fun making rings out of dandelions or flower crowns out of white clover.