Today is the First Day of Spring!

Hooray, spring is here! For those in colder climates, you may have been counting down the days to this day. Of course, winter weather like snow and sleet is still possible in many areas, but the good news is that the days are getting longer and the weather is bound to start getting warmer soon. You’ll begin seeing the telltale signs of spring in your area, whether that’s cherry blossoms, crocuses or robins, if you haven’t already. After a long winter, you’ll probably be thrilled to celebrate the coming of spring with your kids. Here are some ideas that you might try this week and the upcoming weekend to welcome the first day of spring!

• Balance an egg on its end. It’s said that on the vernal equinox, which is today, you can balance a raw egg on end. This seems to be disputed; maybe you can balance an egg any time, or maybe there really is something special about the gravitational pull of the day. Either way, it can be a fun experiment to do at lunch or dinnertime.
• Take a “signs of spring” walk. Jot down your observations when it comes to the signs of spring that you can see in your own neighborhood. Are the trees starting to bud? Maybe there are tulips or daffodils just waiting to open? If you still have snow on the ground, look closely for tiny crocuses starting to poke through; this was always one of the signs of spring that I looked for when we lived in New England! Also, notice the birds in your area. Are they different species from what you have been seeing all winter long?
• Go puddle-jumping. Is spring rainy in your area? You know the saying: April showers bring May flowers. It isn’t quite April yet, but maybe the spring rains have started. If so, and if it’s warm enough, outfit the kids in rain boots and encourage them to jump and splash away. Once they come in and are once again dry, give them some hot chocolate to help them warm up.
• Make birdhouses and bird feeders. Depending on how crafty you are, you may be able to spend a day in the garage or workshop building these from scratch, or you might buy ready-made birdhouses from a craft store. Have the kids paint them with nontoxic paint, and hang them in a tree. For bird feeders, simply smear some peanut butter on pinecones and roll in birdseed. Tie them with yarn to tree branches, then have fun watching out the window to identify your feathered visitors.

Spring is a great season full of outdoorsy things that you can do with your children. What are some of your favorite spring activities?