The weather is getting warmer, the birds are chirping and you don’t have to search high and low for boots and gloves. The stores are filled with shorts and bathing suits and suntan lotion! Here are 7 ways to celebrate spring with your child.
By Michelle Donaghey
It’s official. The weather is getting warmer, the birds are chirping and you don’t have to search high and low for boots and gloves. The stores are filled with shorts and bathing suits and suntan lotion! So why not get out and have a mini-celebration with your favorite people- your children!Seven ways to celebrate
- Plant something special! Have your child pick out a special tree, plant or perennial for your yard or for your patio. Read about what helps it to grow. Learn with your child how to take care of it. Re-plant it if you like in a special pot that you shop for with him or her. If you plant it in your yard, do it in your child’s name. If possible, play some spring songs on a cassette or compact disc player while you are planting! Be sure to add a plant marker!
- Make a simple step stone for your garden. You don’t have to be elaborate! Buy some concrete by the bag or if you prefer, a special kit for making stones at a hobby or garden store. If you like the idea of using leftover cement, you can easily make one from it. Mix as you would for regular mortar- pour the cement in an old large, round plant bottom or buy a special mold. When the concrete is somewhat dried, let your child place his or her handprints in it. Let your child use a stick and draw a flower. You can also write the year next to the handprint and make it an annual event!
- Make a simple birdfeeder out of a two liter soda pop bottle or a milk jug. Clean it thoroughly. Cut one or two openings in the container. The cut small holes below the large holes where the birds will feed. Put pencils or small dowel rods for perches. Poke two small holes in the top and push through a strong twine or string. Fill up the feeder and watch the birds enjoy it! Take plenty of pictures for your scrapbook!
- Enjoy the rain! Spring means rainy days! Have fun on these warm, wet days. Get out your raincoat and umbrella and walk to the library! When you get there, check out books on the birds and flowers of spring and read them together, anticipating the sunny days ahead!
- Play outside! Spend a morning or an afternoon fully enjoying your children! Teach them to blow bubbles, jump a rope, catch a ball, make a chain out of spring flowers, whistle or fly a kite! Don’t take the cell phone!
- Take a trip to the park (or even the backyard or balcony!) and have a picnic! It doesn’t have to be a full meal! Maybe just snacks that your child enjoys! Be sure to bring along a blanket to sit on and something to drink!
- Make a spring cake! Or just buy a plain cake and decorate it with spring colored candies! Show how you can make a flower out of a few pieces of round candies put together (this can also help them to learn to count and sort!) Eat the cake for dessert- light candles and sing, “Welcome Spring, We Love You, with your flowers and showers” to the “Happy Birthday to You.”
Biography
Michelle Donaghey is a freelance writer and mother of two boys, Chris and Patrick, who are her inspiration. She lives in Bremen, Indiana just south of South Bend, home of Notre Dame. When she isn’t writing, Michelle can be found in her perennial flower garden or working on small home improvement projects. Michelle has written for parenting publications including Metro Kids, Atlanta Parent,Dallas Child, Great Lakes Family, Family Times and Space Coast Parent and websites including iparenting.com.
No part of this article may be copied or reproduced in any form without the express permission of More4Kids Inc © 2007
Michelle Donaghey is a freelance writer and mother of two boys, Chris and Patrick, who are her inspiration. She lives in Bremen, Indiana just south of South Bend, home of Notre Dame. When she isn’t writing, Michelle can be found in her perennial flower garden or working on small home improvement projects. Michelle has written for parenting publications including Metro Kids, Atlanta Parent,Dallas Child, Great Lakes Family, Family Times and Space Coast Parent and websites including iparenting.com.
No part of this article may be copied or reproduced in any form without the express permission of More4Kids Inc © 2007
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