Embracing Spring: Fresh Air, Family Gardening and a Mindful Reset
Spring is a season of renewal, making it the perfect time to embrace nature, refresh your home and create special family traditions. For parents of young children, spring offers opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, start simple gardening projects and bring a sense of calm and order to both the mind and home. These activities not only strengthen family bonds but also encourage curiosity, creativity and a sense of wonder in young children.
Family Gardening: A Fun and Educational Experience
Gardening with little ones is a wonderful way to introduce them to the natural world. It encourages patience, responsibility and curiosity while providing hands-on learning about plants, insects and the changing seasons. You don’t need to be an experienced gardener to enjoy these activities with your children.
Activity: Growing a ‘Snack Garden’
A simple way to get children engaged is by planting a snack garden with easy-to-grow foods like cherry tomatoes, strawberries and sugar snap peas. Let your child dig small holes, place the seeds or seedlings in the soil and water them with their own little watering can.
If space is an issue, families can try container gardening with pots on a balcony or a windowsill herb garden with basil, chives and mint.
Getting Outdoors and Enjoying Fresh Air
Spending time outside provides fresh air, movement and a change of scenery, all of which support both physical and mental wellbeing. It does not need to be complicated, even a short time outside can boost moods and encourage exploration.
Activity: Nature Treasure Hunt
Turn a walk into an adventure by making a simple checklist of things to find. Depending on the child’s age, this could include:
A feather
A yellow flower
A wiggly worm
A round stone
A bird singing
Bring a small bag to collect safe finds like fallen leaves or pinecones. Older children may enjoy drawing what they see in a ‘nature explorer’ notebook.
Springtime also offers opportunities for puddle jumping after rain, flying a kite in an open field or visiting a local farm to see baby animals.
Easter Plans: Creating Meaningful Traditions
Easter is a lovely time to start family traditions beyond chocolate eggs. Engaging in seasonal crafts and activities can create lasting memories while fostering a connection with nature.
Activity: Natural Dye Easter Eggs
Instead of shop-bought dyes, families can use natural ingredients like onion skins (for orange), red cabbage (for blue) or turmeric (for yellow) to create beautifully coloured eggs. Simply boil the ingredients in water with a splash of vinegar, then soak hard-boiled eggs in the coloured liquid overnight.
Other Easter activities could include making bird feeders with pinecones, peanut butter and seeds, or baking simple Easter biscuits together.
Spring Cleaning for the Mind and Home
A seasonal refresh is not just about tidying up but also about creating a calmer and more positive space for the whole family.
Activity: Toy and Book Rotation
Instead of overwhelming children with all their toys at once, consider putting some away and swapping them out every few weeks. This makes old toys feel new again and reduces clutter. Let your child help by choosing a few favourites to keep out and placing the rest in a ‘resting box’ for later.
For parents, spring is also a good time to declutter mentally, whether by simplifying routines, prioritising self-care or making space for moments of rest and connection. Taking ten minutes a day to sit with a cup of tea before the chaos begins can be a small but powerful way to reset.
Spring is a time of possibility, and embracing the season with simple family activities can bring joy and balance. Whether through gardening, getting outside, celebrating Easter or refreshing your home and mindset, small steps can have a big impact. By slowing down and making the most of what nature has to offer, families can welcome the new season with energy and welcome in the warmth.
Anisa Lewis is an accredited Positive Parenting Coach, speaker, mentor, and former deputy headteacher with over 25 years of experience working with families across the UK and internationally. She specialises in helping parents navigate the ups and downs of family life, whether it’s managing anxiety, supporting challenging behaviour, or making home life feel smoother. Drawing on her educational background, coaching expertise, and real-life parenting experience, Anisa empowers families to break free from unhelpful patterns and build stronger, more connected relationships.
A mum herself, Anisa understands the real-life struggles of parenting and brings a warm, down-to-earth, and non-judgmental approach to her work. She offers one-to-one coaching, group workshops, school talks, and corporate training, helping parents make small yet powerful changes that lead to lasting, multi-generational impact. Inspired by Walt Whitman’s quote, “Be curious, not judgmental,” she encourages parents to approach challenges with openness and confidence, proving that parenting doesn’t have to be hard.
