Today marks the Spring Equinox – the date between Winter and Summer solstice, where the hours of daylight are equal to the hours of night. From now on the days will get longer, the weather will get warmer (and wetter!) and Spring provides lots of ideas for things to do both at home and out and about.
Growing doesn’t have to be technical or involve lots of different tools. All you need is a large pot or cup, some soil, and some seeds! Growing plants is a wonderful experience for children, at any age.
You can talk about what seeds need to grow (and perhaps quite importantly – why they might not grow at all!) and allow children to take responsibility for looking after their little plants. Sunflowers and pumpkins are great as the large seeds are easy to push into the soil!
Now is the perfect time to experience nature, as it starts to wake up after Winter. Green leaves, tree blossom, daffodils, wild garlic, birds and bugs – there’s lots out there to see, hear and smell! Why not try counting up how many different colours you can spot on a walk?
Spring doesn’t always mean sunshine – but a rainy forecast doesn’t mean you have to stay inside! There’s plenty of fun to be had in waterproofs and wellies. Spend some time noticing how the rain pools and collects on the ground, or work on early mathematics skills by creating a simple rain gauge to measure how much water has fallen. With older children you can talk about where the rain comes from, and where it might go afterwards. And of course, there’s always jumping in puddles!
We advise staying indoors when the wind is very strong, but a gentle breeze can be the basis for lots of play! Talk about how we experience the wind without seeing it – can you hear it, or feel it, or spot it’s impact on a tree or the clouds in the sky? You could also use scarves or streamers outside, to find out which way the wind is blowing. And if you’re particularly crafty, you could even try making homemade kites!
Easter Bunny’s Bouquet – Ikea Bristol
Friday 20th March to Sunday 19th April
Pick up your activity sheet and follow the Easter flower trail! Discover different flowers, learn their names, and collect the missing letters as you go! Stores to edit Complete the trail and hand in your sheet for a chance to win a prize hamper.
Ostara Spring Celebration - Windmill Hill City Farm
Saturday 21st March, 10am-3pm
Explore Windmill Hill Market, listen to live music or experience a Wassail Ceremony! Pay what you can, or come along for free.
Spring Fayre – Bath City Farm
Saturday 28th March
There are lots of activities on offer, from face painting to animal feeding! Entry is free and most activities are either free or ask for a small donation to cover cost. Some activities require pre-booking, as spaces are limited.
Easter Bunny Trail – Clifton Village
Monday 30th March – Sunday 12th April
Spot all the hidden bunnies in the shop windows – find them all for a sweet treat and entry into a prize draw!
Easter Crafternoon – Boston Tea Party, Cheswick Village
Monday 13th April, 2pm
Get crafty this Easter and whip up something special for someone really special. This event is free, but you must contact the café to book your space in advance.
Crafty Cathedral – Bristol Cathedral
Thursday 16th April 10am to 2pm
Expect Easter crafts, story-telling and activities for children of all ages! This event is free and no booking is required – just drop in.
Spring into Blaise – Blaise Castle Estate
Thursday 9th and Thursday 16th April
Enjoy Springtime stories, create decorations to take home and be part of a collaborative Spring collage! These sessions are free and attendees are welcomed on a first come, first served basis. There is also a great children’s park and lots of nature to explore within the estate!
Planet Printing Family Workshop – RWA
Tuesday 7th April, 1pm-3pm
Take part in some art at the RWA by helping them creative a collaborative Moon Wall! There will be a range of techniques available to create your moon in different styles and textutres, and every contribution becomes part of their lunar display. This drop-in session is completely free.
Easter Egg Hunt – King George V Playing Fields, Downend
Thursday 2nd to Sunday 12th April
Follow the trail to find the letters and enter their prize draw! Forms can be found online on their Facebook page, or from the King George V Pavilion.
They are also hosting a Grow a Sunflower Competition! Free seeds, soil and pot can be collected from the same pavilion between 6th and 17th April – and you’ll have until 14th September to grow the tallest sunflower you can!