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Spring has finally sprung, which means it's time for a whole new season of fun with the family! Springtime is always a great time for military family activities. Whether it's crafting indoors when the April showers hit or enjoying the weather as flowers bloom, these activities will help you enjoy the spring with friends and family. Read on to find fun spring activities for kids and parents alike.

This season brings the perfect weather for getting outside and exploring. Fill your days with these outdoor activities and create memories that will last a lifetime! 

Camping Trip

Camping is a great family bonding experience and can be done almost anywhere! You can camp in state or national parks, on a beach, in private campgrounds, or even in your backyard. Get off the grid for a bit and get in touch with mother nature. Review this extensive family camping checklist to make sure you have the essential items. Invite other military families as well for an amazing bonding experience. 

Craft Outdoors

Take your crafts outdoors and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. Collect various flowers for this first spring craft idea, and get ready to use your imagination. DIY flower crowns are made out of fresh flowers, creating a beautiful stained glass effect and are perfect for any prince or princess. Another fun spring craft idea is creating a 5-minute bird feeder with a pinecone! Simple, hands-on, and so much fun!

Cycle Around Town

Now that winter is over, and it's slowly starting to warm up, get outside and get some exercise. Locate all the bikes, trikes, roller skates, skateboards, and scooters in your storage, and make sure they are safe for you and your kids. Practice other safety skills such as always wearing a helmet and looking both ways before crossing any streets. Review other common safety tips for bikes and other vehicles with children before you get out and ride. 

Pick-Up Sports

Physical activity is important for everyone, but how much you need depends on your age. Children and adolescents ages 6 to 17 should aim to get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Sports are a good way to get this exercise and to build both community and friendships. Invite the neighbors over for an afternoon of pick-up basketball or soccer-inspired games.  

Book Nook

Story time! Gather the family together and snuggle up in a warm blanket as you take turns reading different stories from picture books about the springtime. Reading aloud has significant cognitive benefits for readers who are still learning and readers who have a lot of experience. If you need book suggestions, ask your local librarian or check out these teacher recommendations. 

Breakfast for Dinner

Breakfast is always better at dinner. Put a fun twist on your normal routine and get the kids excited! Are you going to go savory or sweet? Maybe you'll keep it classic, serve an omelet, or put a new spin on a classic and go with a bacon, egg, and maple grilled cheese sandwich. If you're trying to impress your favorite kiddos, get them into the kitchen and have them help you whip up these yummy buttermilk waffles with strawberry sauce. Be sure to bookmark these additional "breakfast for dinner recipes" for the next time you decide to spoil your family.  

Get Crafty

Arts and crafts are certainly not tidy, but a great way to bring spring indoors. Purchase a large, washable tarp that can be reused and let your imagination run wild! Try to make bubble paint flower hydrangeas, a craft that can be simplified or complicated, making it engaging for all ages. Clay leaf prints bring a new meaning to ceramics. These pendants are made from air-dry clay and capture the natural beauty of various leaves. If you're looking to decorate your home, try to create flower suncatcher mandalas, each is unique and fills your home with beautiful colors.  

Indoor Scavenger Hunt

Get up and get moving! Set up a classic scavenger hunt throughout your home and turn it into a brain challenge that requires some thinking by creating a list of clues or using these ready-made clues. Distribute them, so one clue leads to another with "treasure" at the end! This fun spring activity is perfect for any amount of players. Set rules before the game starts, such as "No Running" or "Take Turns Finding the Next Clue" to ensure safety. Watch the gears in their brains spin as they try to figure out each clue! 

Sweet Treats

Baking is the ultimate rainy day activity. Before you preheat your oven, let the children pick out their favorite baked goods. If you are looking for inspiration, try this recipe for homemade doughnuts or this recipe for the best blueberry muffins! Soon enough, your home will be warm and filled with yummy scents. Grab a rolling pin and the flour, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to get messy!

This spring, take advantage of the beautiful weather by getting outside - or by crafting if you're ever stuck inside with those spring showers happen. Enjoy the quality time you can spend with your family with these fun spring activities. You can even recruit other military families from your community to join in on the fun and create closer bonds with your neighbors!