Spring Activities for Preschoolers 

Springtime brings a breath of fresh air for hands-on learning in the preschool classroom. As the weather warms and nature starts to bloom outside your classroom doors, it’s the perfect season to spark curiosity through outdoor exploration, sensory play, and spring art projects.

From science and sensory exploration to fine motor skill-building crafts, these preschool activities will help little ones embrace the changing season while developing key skills. Whether you’re planning an Earth Day lesson, looking for an engaging cognitive activity, or want to introduce a crafty Mother’s Day project, these ideas will make spring a season of discovery in your classroom.

1. Spring Garden Sensory Bin

A sensory bin is a fantastic way to immerse little ones in hands-on learning activities while introducing early science concepts and connection to nature. This spring garden-themed bin lets children dig, plant, and explore textures while learning about nature.

Materials:

• Large plastic bin
• Potting soil or sand
• Small pots or cups
• Artificial spring flowers and leaves
• Mini gardening tools or spoons
• Plastic bugs and insects
• Gardening Gloves

Set-Up:

Fill the bin with soil or sand, then add small pots, artificial flowers, and plastic insects. Provide mini gardening tools and gloves so children can dig, plant, and re-arrange the items.

Teaching Tips:

• Set up a planting station in a second bin where children can “plant” the flowers they have dug up and sort them by colour, size, or type.
• Introduce math activities by having learners count or classify plastic bugs and insects.

Learning Goals:

• Encourages sensory exploration.
• Develops fine motor skills.
• Introduces early science concepts about plants and insects.

2. Butterfly Craft with Coffee Filters

This simple spring art project lets preschoolers explore colours, patterns and textures while learning about butterflies.

Materials:

• Coffee filters
• Washable markers
• Spray bottle with water
• Pipe cleaners

Set-Up:

Place two coffee filters on top of each other and have children colour coffee filters with markers. When they are done, have the children lightly mist their coffee filters with water, and watch as the colours blend together making a tie-dye effect (make sure not to soak the coffee filter). Once dry (depending on where you are drying them you might need to leave them overnight to dry), fold each coffee filter back and forth, accordion style, in about 1/2″ folds, until they are each in a strip. Put the two strips on top of each other and then tie a pipe cleaner around the middle, making antennae. Once the pipe cleaners are tied on children can gently pull apart the folded wings and watch their butterfly bloom!

Teaching Tips:

• Pair this craft with a read-aloud, such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
• Have the children bring their butterflies on a nature walk or to the playground while discussing where butterflies like to live.
• Use the butterflies to decorate a spring-themed bulletin board.

Learning Goals:

• Encourages creativity and self-expression.
• Strengthens fine motor coordination.
• Introduces basic colour-mixing concepts.

3. Egg Carton Caterpillars

This eco-friendly craft helps young children understand the butterfly life cycle while strengthening fine motor skills.

Materials:

• Empty egg cartons
• Child-safe paint
• Paintbrushes
• Googly eyes
• Pipe cleaners
• Child-safe glue sticks

Set-Up:

Cut egg cartons into strips of three or four sections. Have children paint them as caterpillars. Once dry, have them use glue to attach googly eyes and pipe cleaner antennae.

Teaching Tips:

• Further this activity by having children plant potting soil and seeds in a separate section of their egg carton caterpillar and watch them grow! Be sure to poke small holes in the egg carton for draining. 
• Read books about the butterfly life cycle during circle time, or place butterfly themed books in the reading section of your classroom to encourage preschoolers to further their own learning.
  • Book Suggestions:
    • The Very Impatient Caterpillar by Ross Burach
    • Waiting for Wings by Lois Ehlert 
    • A Butterfly is Patient by Diana Huts Aston

Learning Goals:

• Develops fine motor skills through painting and gluing.
• Introduces the butterfly life cycle.
• Encourages imaginative play. 

4. Paper Plate Ladybugs

Ladybugs are a classic symbol of spring for young children and often easy to spot outdoors, making them an engaging and easily relatable theme for preschoolers.

Materials:

• Paper plates
• Paint or crayons
• Black construction paper, tissue paper or pom poms
• Glue
• Pipe cleaners

Set-Up:

Have children paint a paper plate red (or any colour they choose). Once dry, they can add black paper spots, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners for antennae.

Teaching Tips:

• Set up a bug observation station with plastic bugs, magnifying animals and books where children can match their ladybug crafts to real insect photos.
• Create a math game by having children count the black spots on their ladybugs.

Learning Goals:

• Strengthens fine motor skills through painting and gluing.
• Encourages creativity.
• Introduces insect characteristics and connects children’s learning to the environment. 

5. Planting Seeds in a Classroom Garden

Spring is the perfect time to teach preschoolers about plant growth with a hands-on gardening activity and science experiment.

Materials:

• Small biodegradable pots or cups
• Potting soil
• Seeds (ex: sunflowers, beans, or grass)
• Water spray bottle

Set-Up:

Provide each child with a small pot and have them add soil and plant their seed. They can then water their seeds and observe their plants’ growth and changes over time.

Teaching Tips:

• Chart plant growth as a math activity by measuring the sprouts growth together.

Learning Goals:

• Teaches responsibility through plant care.
• Introduces plant life cycles.
• Develops fine motor, patience and observation skills. 

6. Spring-Themed Nature Walk

Taking a nature walk is a great way to get preschoolers outdoors and immersed in their communities’ nature. 

Materials:

• Scavenger hunt list (create this list together during a previous circle time to discuss what children want to look for on their walk).
  • Scavenger hunt suggestions:
    • How many squirrels did we see? 
    • Can you spot a bird feeder? 
    • Do you see any flowers growing? 
• Magnifying glasses for the walk (optional)

Set-Up:

Take children outside with a checklist of spring season items (flowers, insects, birdfeeders leaves, etc.). Have them observe their surroundings and look for the items on their list as they walk around the neighbourhood.

Learning Goals:

• Encourages observation skills.
• Develops vocabulary and language.
• Supports outdoor exploration and science learning. 
• Connects children with their community and surroundings. 

7. Spring Flower Counting Game 

This hands-on math activity helps preschoolers practice counting and number recognition using spring flowers.

Materials:

• Artificial flowers or paper flower cutouts
• Small flower pots or cups
• Numbered cards (1–10)

Set-Up:

Label each flower pot with a number (1–10). Provide children with a set of artificial or paper flowers and have them place the correct number of flowers in each pot based on the number card.

Teaching Tips:

• Use different coloured flowers and have children sort by colour as well.
• Extend the learning by practicing simple addition and subtraction (e.g., “If we add one more flower, how many do we have now?”).
• Pair this activity with a nature walk to count real flowers outside.

Learning Goals:

• Strengthens counting and number recognition skills.
• Encourages sorting and classification.
• Supports early addition and subtraction concepts.

8. Mother’s Day Finger Paint Flowers 

Celebrate Mother’s Day with a creative, child-led finger painting activity that allows preschoolers to express themselves freely.

Materials:

• Large sheets of construction paper
• Washable finger paint in various colours
• Pre-cut construction paper circles for flower centers
• Markers or crayons for drawing stems
• Paintbrushes or small sponges (optional)

Set-Up:

Help children draw simple flower stems on their paper using markers or crayons. Provide pre-cut construction paper circles and let them glue one at the top of each stem. Then, invite them to use their fingers to create petals around the circle with paint, making their own unique flowers. For children who do not like finger painting, offer them paintbrushes or small sponges to create the flower petals. 

Teaching Tips:

• Talk about the different kinds of flowers children see in their home and community and how they grow. 
• Encourage kids to mix colours and explore different textures with their fingers.

Learning Goals:

• Encourages creativity and self-expression.
• Develops fine motor skills through finger painting.
• Promotes sensory exploration.

7. Earth Day Reading Corner

Set up a special reading space in your classroom to celebrate Earth Day and spark conversations about taking care of our planet.

Materials:

• A cozy reading area with pillows, rugs, or small couches and chairs. 
• A selection of Earth Day-themed books.
• Posters or pictures of nature, recycling, and ways to help the environment.

Book Suggestions:

• It’s Earth Day by Debbie Mercier
• The Earth Book by Todd Parr
• Miss Fox’s Class Goes Green by Eileen Spinelli
• This Class Can Save the Planet by Stacy Tornio
• The Adventures of a Plastic Bottle by Alison Inches
• We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom
• Why Should I Recycle? by Jen Green
• Compost Stew by Mary McKenna Siddals
• Biscuit’s Earth Day Celebration by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
• What a Waste: Trash, Recycling, and Protecting Our Planet by Jess French

Set-Up:

Arrange a reading nook with comfortable seating and place a selection of Earth Day books nearby. Display posters or photos that encourage discussion about recycling, nature, and protecting the planet.

Teaching Tips:

• Let children choose which books to read and encourage them to ask questions and talk about their favourite parts.
• Use this as an opportunity to introduce new vocabulary words related to the environment.
• Have a group discussion about ways they can help the planet at home and in school.

Learning Goals:

• Encourages early literacy and a love of reading.
• Builds awareness of environmental responsibility. 
• Develops language and communication skills.

Spring Learning in Your Preschool Classroom

The spring season is full of opportunities for hands-on learning and exploration in a pre-k classroom. Whether you’re planting seeds, creating spring crafts, or going on a nature walk, these fun spring activities provide meaningful ways for little ones to connect with the changing season.Interested in more developmentally appropriate play-based and seasonal activities for preschoolers? Lillio Learning, powered by FunShine Express, provides a thoughtfully designed curriculum created by educators and early learning experts. With comprehensive physical and digital resources tailored for children aged 0-5, Lillio Learning offers valuable support to busy educators. Discover how it can enhance your teaching approach today. Learn more here.