Spring play kit

The clocks have gone forwards, the days are getting longer, spring is in the air! Read on to find out about our new play kit and get you some fresh ideas to enjoy with your little one.  

On your child’s activity page, you’ll find ideas linked to the skills they’re mastering now – so as well as using the play kit don’t forget to check them out.  

April showers 

Spring brings a change in weather and getting outside all year round gives your little one new sensory experiences and, as they get older, the chance to learn about the weather and seasons.  

Clothes 

The best way to learn about the weather and seasons is to experience them – and in spring that might include jumping in puddles and mixing up some mud. Which means the right clothing is essential! 

• Waterproof trousers (you might want to swap from a warmer snowsuit to a lightweight rain suit)  
• Wellies or boots 

Remember to get yourself waterproof clothes too so you can join in the fun! 

Exploring the weather 

• Tubs, bottles and other containers – use these to make your own weather station to collect and measure the rain.  
• Pieces of fabric and ribbon – use these to show your little one the wind blowing.  
• Clipboard and pens – you could go outside each day and keep a weather diary, encourage your little one to think about how they would show it was raining, warm or windy each day.  

Growing 

Plants and seeds

• Plant finder app – see which plants you can see starting to grow when you’re out and about.  
• Old yoghurt pots or plant pots. 
• Kitchen towel – this is great for growing mustard and cress.  
• Seeds – mustard and cress grow quickly, so can be great for little ones, sunflowers can be fun as you see which one grows the tallest.  
• Plug plants – sometimes getting some small plants to put into pots, rather than seeds can capture your child’s interest a bit more. You can plant them together, then talk about what they need to help them grow.  
• Jug, container or watering can – get your little one involved with looking after the plants.  

A Spring treasure basket 

• Pieces of fabric in spring colours – green, yellow and light blue. 
• Eggs made from different materials – you could put in some wooden, metal or plastic eggs. 
• Egg boxes and other containers – toddlers and older children might enjoy putting an egg in each space and counting how many they have.  

Remember to make sure anything you give your child to explore is safe for them. 

You can read more about making a treasure basket in our article which you can find here. 

Spring books 

Now might be the perfect time for a trip to your local library. Go along and choose some books about spring and growing, they might have some spring activities that you can join in with too. 

Noisy baby animals - By Patricia Hegarty

This is a great first book for babies and young children with lots of stimulation for the senses. The pages are tactile, with touch and feel sections on each, there are sounds for all the baby animals and the photos are incredibly cute! This wonderful, informative, and interactive book will be sure to make you smile. 

When spring comes - By Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Laura Dronzek 

When spring comes is totally gorgeous for children of all ages.  It very cleverly observes how spring can be changeable and how you might believe it has arrived when it hasn't. The sentences are simple, yet detailed and rhythmic. And the illustrations are playful, colourful, and charming. There are tiny details included in the illustrations which show the first signs of spring. We adore this book because there is a sense of hope. On the first pages, the sentences start with, "If you wait," which is then followed by a glimpse of the new season. It will fill you with joy. 

That’s not a daffodil - By Elizabeth Honey 

There is so much going on in this book, but it is written and illustrated so simply that it might not stand out on your first read. Tom and his neighbour explore the magnificence of planting a spring bulb. When Mr Yilmaz brings Tom the bulb to plant, Tom does not believe that it is a daffodil. This is a fascinating story that teaches about the process of growing plants while also being aware of and caring for the environment. Look out for all the other vegetables that Mr Yilmaz grows, they are quietly introduced while Tom watches his daffodil. 

In a garden - By Tim McCanna, illustrated by Aimée Sicuro. 

We love, love, love this book! It’s quite long, but magnificently written. It brings together sounds in the environment and the names of all things associated with nature into a delightful rhyming story. Based in a city garden, this book brings nature to life, from tiny beetles scurrying to the gentle breeze in the leaves. 

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