4 Unique & Kid Friendly Ideas to Try This Spring

It's finally spring- a period of regrowth, regeneration, and fresh starts. As we emerge from pandemic restrictions, the meaning of spring has never felt more accurate. There is certainly a sense of returning to “normal” as we head back to school and work, but many activities and events are still unavailable. As many children have adjusted to a limited social circle and indoor play, the warmer weather begs us to run outside and indulge. Bring on the cherry blossoms and scenic backseat rides, we are ready for spring!

While we love a long family hike in Great Falls, and bike rides around the city, there are certainly new and exciting things to explore. We asked a few of our local parents and nannies what interesting or new ideas they had in mind to enjoy the Spring season with their kids. We received some pretty clever responses, and they certainly got us in the mood to make weekend plans. Check out our favorite responses below!

1.Find and count the colorful doors in Old Town, Alexandria

Historic Old Town offers a great deal of Virginian history and a quaint atmosphere to match. Kids will love running along park pathways and discovering assorted boats on the waterfront of this local spot. Grab a notebook and pencil to tally mark, then have your little ones spot the uniquely colored doors on the homes on each block. How many fun colors can they find? Which colors are they? Perhaps turn it into a game a see who can spot the door first. Afterward, enjoy an ice cream cone at Pop’s- trust me it will be the perfect “cherry on top” of a fun spring day.

2. Visit the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden

Although the Smithsonian is still closed to visitors, the National Mall and Sculpture Garden are still excellent options. Kids will get the pop of color they have been waiting for all winter when they see the huge red sculpture of an abstract horse towering over them. Teach kids about the fun of optical illusions while they observe mini pop art house structures. Take a moment to marvel at the modern art in your city- and don’t worry, the moment museums re-open we will be posting blog tips when taking kids to visit!

3. Let it Rain

This may not seem like the most practical thing to do, but boredom really does make way for inventive play. The next time your area has spring showers don’t sit indoors and wait for it to pass, don your rain jackets, and head outside. When it’s nice and damp out plenty of interesting things can emerge. Help your kid dig up a rock and see what creatures live beneath, build a mud mountain, see if bath toys can float on puddles, and get dirty! You will be surprised how long your kid will stay occupied in the rain, just be sure to watch out for lighting.

4. Let nature be your guide

Take a walk at a local park to see which new flowers and plants are in bloom. Bring along a plant identification book (or download an app on your phone) so that you can teach your child about different plant species traits and characteristics. If your child has an artistic streak, encourage them to sit and sketch or photograph new plants of interest to document what they observe. Aim to do this activity on a sunny day when the sun makes new growth perk up.

We are very excited about the changing weather, and you should be too! Get out there and enjoy the spring season!