Simple Montessori Activities for Spring

A new season is almost here! With the start of spring, most parents are looking to refresh their child’s toys or find new ideas for things to do around the house when getting out somewhere isn’t an option. Here are four easy activities you can do in spring with your toddler that require little to no preparation.

• Make Orange Juice

  Littles love to help out in the kitchen and this food prep activity is perfectly simple, though it can get a little sticky!

  All you need for this lesson is:

  Oranges

  Plastic or glass juicer

  Cups

  Paper towels or washcloth (for cleaning up messes)

  Start by gathering all of your needed materials, and invite your child to join you in making juice. Once you’re both ready to start, model how to cut the oranges safely. You can do this part for your child if they aren’t ready to use a child-safe knife yet. Next, slowly take the orange in your hands and show them how to squeeze it onto the juicer. If it feels natural, narrate the steps as you do them. Your child will likely be so focused on your actions that words may distract them, but of course do what’s right for you! When you are finished juicing the orange, pour the juice into a cup. Say to your child, “Now you can try making juice”. Guide them only as needed, and remember that it’s okay for them to spill or make mistakes. As they finish up with the process, allow them to repeat the activity as much as they would like to (within reason of course)! Thank them for making juice with you, and let them continue if they show interest.

• Read Books about Spring

  The easiest way to introduce a child to something new is to first read them a book about that subject. As the seasons change, start offering books that show pictures of the effects spring has on nature, animals that are more likely to appear, and holidays that occur in spring. In my classroom, I loved displaying books on the shelves that were relevant to the season to spark more curiosity in my students about how the world was changing around them. After looking at the new books, they would often ask questions about the pictures and we could extend the lessons on subjects they were naturally interested in. Reading books together about holidays gives them the opportunity to learn about other cultures and places in the world. If your child gets excited about a certain book you show them or read to them, keep it accessible for them to look at independently.

• Take a Nature Walk

  Here in Arizona, it’s plenty warm to take nature walks way before spring arrives, but this is still one of my all-time favorite activities! Getting outside and experiencing nature is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children. They learn so much from the natural environment. This walk can be as simple as just going outside and enjoying nature with your child. If you want to add something to it, try encouraging your little to use as many senses as possible! Children learn through their senses, and teaching them to tap in can be a great experience. When they find something, ask them questions about it, or just narrate your observations. “That’s such a beautiful flower. I hear the birds, too. The sun feels warm on my face.” Hearing your observations will encourage your little to use their senses as well.

• Flower Arranging

  This last activity requires a little more preparation and is recommended for toddlers three years old and up. Flower arranging can be done with either fabric or real flowers.

  First, as always, you’ll need to gather your materials:

  Flowers (artificial or real)

  Vase (glass or plastic)

  Scissors for trimming

  Just like in the orange juice lesson, after gathering the materials, invite your child to arrange the flowers with you. Model how to do it, and you can even trim the stems first if they aren’t ready for scissors yet. Show them that the flowers can be put into many different arrangements, and that there isn’t a right or wrong order to their creations. Let them explore the possibilities! When they indicate that they are finished, help them find a spot to display their work. Seeing their creation on display in your home will give them a boost in their confidence.

I hope you find theses activity ideas helpful and that you try them with your child! Feel free to share your favorite spring activities in the comments.