It’s been a long winter, especially since it’s been one where we’re stuck inside even more than usual, but now, March is finally here. In just a couple of weeks, spring will be, too (first day of the season is March 20!). That means spending more time outside, enjoying quality time with our kids who won’t have to be cooped up and going stir crazy anymore — and let’s just face it, giving them outside time and playground time makes our jobs a little easier, too. Thanks, warm weather!

But this year, it’s important to stay safe and healthy, since much of the world is still dealing with a big health crisis. For now, we might be continuing our routine of hanging with just our immediate family and staying home for most of the time, but we can still have a lot of springtime fun with our kids while keeping everyone safe at the same time.

Need a few ideas of what to do with the little ones between now and summer? Here are plenty of fun activities to do with the fam this spring that everyone will truly enjoy — especially when they get to go outside and enjoy that sunshine!

Plant a Garden

Whether growing veggies and herbs or just pretty flowers, a garden can liven up the yard and make a fun, teachable moment for kids. Colorful flowers like pansies and violas are perfect for planting in the spring, too.

Go Hiking

Regardless of the location, hiking is a great activity to get outside, enjoy some quality family time, and staying safe at the same time. Pick a new trail nearby or an old favorite, pack some snacks, and hit it!

Have a Picnic

Here’s an activity that doesn’t require leaving the backyard. Now that the weather is getting warmer, have a picnic outdoors. Grill out or make sandwiches to bring outside, with plenty of fruit and maybe even a little dessert. Don’t forget a picnic blanket — and to take plenty of photos.

Spend a Day at the Zoo

The zoo is always a crowd-pleaser for adults and kids of all ages, and it’s a solid outdoor activity that could take up all day. It feels like an adventure every time, and many zoos across the country are enforcing safety guidelines, like limited capacity and mask requirements.

Spring Crafts

No matter what kind of DIY project the kids are into, a spring craft or two is a pretty fun way to spend an afternoon. There are a lot of ideas out there (especially for those of us who are Pinterest obsessed), especially involving Easter eggs.

Movie Night Outside

After a long winter, take advantage of the warmer nights that are rolling in by enjoying a movie with the fam outside. Bring popcorn, drinks, an extension cord, and the TV outside, and spread out blankets in the grass. Feeling extra fancy? Try a movie projector!

Plan an Easter Egg Hunt

Leave the plastic eggs empty or fill them — the real fun is running around the yard (and inside the house) trying to collect the most eggs. And for those who don’t celebrate Easter, try a scavenger hunt!

Visit New Parks

Time for a little exploring, and a change in scenery. Find a park in the area that’s new to the fam and head out. Bring a ball or even some lunch, play on the playground — make a day of it. Or even create a local park bucket list to complete by the time summer arrives.

Fly Kites

Sure, this activity might not be as popular as it once was, but that doesn’t mean it’s not still just as fun. Teaching the kids (or maybe even ourselves) how to fly a kite in a big open field can be such a memorable experience.

Go Strawberry Picking

The strawberry season varies across the country, but it usually kicks off in most places by April or May — perfect timing to take the kids to pick their own fruit (and some adorable photo ops in the process).

Bake Spring Treats

Cookies, cupcakes, or something else entirely? Older kids can help with the actual mixing and baking, while younger kids might want to stick to decorating with pretty pastel icing and spring-themed sprinkles.

Take a Rain Walk

They don’t call them “April showers” for no reasons — it tends to rain a lot in the spring. But make the best of a rainy day by going out for a rain walk. Grab umbrellas and go explore the neighborhood, jumping in the puddles all along the way.

Paint Rocks

A craft and an adventure all in one! Have kids collect rocks outside, decorate and paint them, and to take it a step further, pick out a few to hide around the neighborhood. It could end up brightening someone’s day!

Draw With Sidewalk Chalk

This is a super easy activity that can keep kids busy for hours — and it’s fun for adults, too. Sidewalk chalk can be used to decorate the driveway, the sidewalk, and the road (when no cars are coming, of course), and it presents us with the opportunity to finally teach our kids how to play hopscotch.

Adopt a Pet

Been thinking about adding a new four-legged friend to the family this year? Now that the weather is getting warmer, it’s a great time to take the plunge, because dogs do love walks. Not ready for a dog or cat? There are always goldfish, which are a bit less of a commitment but still a great way to teach kids how to care for a pet.

Go Camping

This could be in the living room, the backyard, or a full camping trip — whatever works! And if outdoors is the plan, then spring is the perfect time to do it before it becomes too hot to comfortably sleep outside!

Hunt for Clovers

Springtime means that clovers have started popping up, and it’s a good time to get out there and look for a lucky four-leaf clover. Make it a game, or just use it as an excuse to spend a nice afternoon outside.

Celebrate Earth Day

In 2021, Earth Day falls on April 22, and even for those who have never celebrated, it’s a great time to start. Clean up trash at a public park, plant a tree — there’s no limit to the ways we can teach our kids to care for the environment.

Make a Bird Feeder

There are a lot of DIY bird feeders out there that are also kid-appropriate, and it can be a lot to fun to watch new feathered friends flock to something they made themselves! Even just bird seed, gelatin, and a cookie cutter can create an easy bird feeder.

Watch the Sun Rise or Set

For moms of younger kids who are still early birds, sunrise might be fun — sunset is probably better if there are preteens or older in the fam! Either way, stake out the best place to watch locally and enjoy the show.