Tuesday, April 21, 2020

10 Fun Spring Montessori Inspired Activities to Do at Home

10 Fun Spring Montessori Inspired Activities to Do at Home - montessori preschool Winnetka - Little Wonders Montessori One

Spring is one of the best times to explore the outdoors with your kids. Montessori Preschool Winnetka encourages parents to engage their kids in activities that promote creativity, hands-on learning, and collaborative play. These include anything from sensory play to planting a garden, drawing art, and spending time studying animals and plants. When the weather is gloomy or rainy, there are numerous indoor activities that can keep your kids occupied. With this in mind, here are ten Montessori-inspired spring activities you can do at home with your kids!

1. Learn About Spring

Before you get started on any activities, it's a good idea to give your Montessori preschoolers a little background on the spring season. There are lots of spring books for preschool kids that you can use for this activity. You can also learn how this season is different from summer, fall, and winter. To make this activity even more hands-on, create a nature table when you collect items that reflect the spring season.

2. Plant a Garden

Spring is for planting a garden with your kids, especially when the weather allows you to step outdoors. Grab some seeds or seedlings, potting soil, and pots, and prepare to get your hands dirty. Your little ones not only learn how to plant but also how to name different flowers and vegetables!

3. Collect Flowers

Most plants bloom during the spring, and you can take this opportunity to collect flowers with your kids. Learn the different names of the flowers during the process. To make this even more fun, allow the kids to bring them indoors, cut the stems, and place them in vases and jars.

4. Make and Fly Kites

On a warm and windy afternoon, step outside with the kids and make some kites. Kites are pretty easy to make, and the supplies are readily available. All you need is a newspaper, wooden dowels, scissors, pencil, string, masking tape, yarn or ribbons, and a ruler. You can use a YouTube tutorial if you're stuck. Flying kites in your backyard or neighborhood is an exciting and exhilarating experience for kids.

5. Paint Flower Pots

Do you have clay, plastic, or terracotta pots that the kids could play with? If not, you could even buy a few. Allow your kids to paint the pots using art paint. Painting is a common activity in Montessori Preschool Winnetka as it sparks kids' creativity and collaboration. Allow them to be creative with this activity. They can paint abstract colors or draw painted images on the pots. After the exercise, display the pots on a spring nature table or use them to plant flowers.

6. Study Butterflies

The spring weather is characterized by lots of butterflies. Kids love butterflies, and this is a great time to take them outdoors so they can watch and learn the various species in your area. Before stepping out, you can watch a fun butterfly video, learn how it develops from an egg to a full-grown flying insect, and what it feeds on. The kids can also bring home pet caterpillars and butterflies!

7. Take Part in Cloud Gazing

With numerous clouds during the spring season, you could teach your kids their names and which ones appear at what time. For example, heavy, dark clouds signal the onset of rain while light, airy ones appear when there's sunlight. Find books about clouds for this activity. Afterward, step outside for cloud gazing, and let your kids name the different clouds as learned. You can also have an art session and use cotton balls to demonstrate different kinds of clouds.

8. Learn About the Rainbow

Another great Montessori-inspired activity for spring is learning about rainbow colors. You can get rainbow print outs and color or paint them with the various rainbow colors. Sing rainbow songs and learn why and when it appears. If you're lucky enough to spot a rainbow, step outside and allow the kids to marvel at the beauty as they name the colors!

9. Go for a Picnic

Going for a picnic is an excellent way to step out of the learning environment and enjoy the warm weather with the kids. To make this activity fun, you could hold your picnic at a park where the kids can watch various insects, birds, and animals. Also, before the picnic, allow them to make a few treats such as flower pots cupcakes and cookies!

10. Take a Nature Walk or Hike

Nature walks are perfect for stretching out your limbs after spending lots of time indoors. Your kids will enjoy this activity as they get to step outside the home and also wear their hiking gear. You can learn about various plants, butterflies, insects, and animals that you find along the way. The kids can also collect flowers and display them in vases on the countertop or the nature table. There are lots of indoor and outdoor activities you can engage in with your kids during the spring. Your preschoolers not only get to learn but also do it while having fun!