Spring is here, have you noticed? Perhaps you've seen some early spring flowers in a local park, maybe you've even been able to put away your winter blankets and jackets. Spring has sprung and it's about time too.
At this stage of the year, many youngsters have exhausted their indoor toys, and their parents' imagination.
They are ready to burn off some energy and breathe in a lung-full of fresh air.
They want play dates in the park, time in the backyard, and some room to explore.
We at Meland love this time of year. It's just nice to get out of the house and feel a bit of sun on our skin. As parents it's also a welcome relief to see our kids out and about, enjoying themselves.
If you're looking for some inspiration for things to do this coming spring and summer, then look no further.
We have jotted down a few ideas we how will help make your little one love the changing of the seasons.
We've also added in a few of our Spring toys for kids, to help with your spring and summer planning.
Activities you can play with your Children in the Spring
Spring is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy the weather. There are so many fun things to do, such as playing in the park, going for walks, visiting the zoo, or riding bikes.
At the office here we've collated a quick survey of our favourite activities to do with kids during the warmer months.
Picnics - who doesn't love dining al fresco? A nice blanket to sit on, some easy finger foods, a few simple games to play with the kids while you're out (perhaps a ball, or maybe even one of our tents to keep the sun off).
Sports - while a full-on game of football might take a bit too much organising for the average parent, taking out a ball to chuck around with your kid is a great way to welcome in the change of season.
For something a little more involved than a game of catch, we have an easy to set up, freestanding basketball hoop, and for the kid who wants to be out of the links, we have a great little golf set ideal for practicing that putt.
Nature Walk - Exploring nature is a great way to spend some time with your little one outside.
You can teach them about the different trees, flowers, and animals you see along the way. If you want to take it a step further, you can even look for bugs and leaves to press in a book. If you're a particularly outdoorsy family who likes to camp.
We have a great toy set to help introduce your young one to camping. Our camping set will help safely introduce the tools used when out in the woods. With toy binoculars, a pretend light up camp stove, compass, magnifying glass and more, this set is great for introducing your little adventurer to the joys of the great wide world.
Indoor Activities
Spring weather can be unpredictable. Some days are amazing, blue skies and a warm spring breeze, while other days can be wet, wild winds and uninviting.
Because of the moody nature of spring's weather, we recommend having a few indoor spring activities up your sleeve, for those weekends where you can't go out and explore.
There are plenty of fun activities you can do indoors with your children in the springtime. You can let their imaginations run wild with some creative play, or get active with some fun sports and games. Here are some of our favourites:
Crafts - Get creative with your kids this spring by doing some arts and crafts. From painting and drawing to making collages or sculptures, there is no end to the creative possibilities. We've written in the past about inspiring creativity in your children so check that out here.
Jigsaw Puzzles - An oldie but a goodie. What fun way to spend an afternoon inside, puzzles are a great way to keep the whole family entertained.
With a range of difficulty levels and puzzle types available, there is something for everyone.
What's also good about puzzles is they can easily be hidden away under a table cloth so that if the weather does suddenly become fine, you can pause the puzzling to return later.
Board Games - From classics such as Snakes and Ladders and Chess to new favourites such as Pie Face, there is a board game for everyone. Get the family around the table for some old-fashioned fun.
Time Together
As parents, you know that all the moments in your child's life are a pleasure to share - it's for these moments that we do what we do!
The changing of the seasons is often a time to reflect about the passage of time, during an otherwise very hectic and full life with kids.
We at Meland often find ourselves looking back at last year's season change with no small amount of nostalgia. "Haven't they grown", "remember last year when they were just doing this...", "haven't things changed".
It's all too each to get wrapped up in remembering, so this is our appeal to you to remember to make new memories with your child this spring.
We love finding something special to share in that is unique to the season. For instance, something simple like leaf collecting and scrapbooking will give you both something to come back to throughout the season, and look back on for years to come. Spring is an excellent time to create new rituals and habits.
Spring at Meland
Spring is a great time to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather with your children. Though also a time when the unpredictable nature of the weather necessitates a plan B in the weekend ideas of every parent.
Outdoor activities are great for spring. Exploring the changes going on in the natural environment is a great way to learn about the cycles of the planet and pick up some fun hobbies too.
Indoor activities like arts and crafts can help unleash their creativity and dispel a little of the rainy-day blues when stuck inside.
Whatever you choose to do together, make sure to take the time to create some memories that will last a lifetime.