Spring is the ideal season to shake off the chill of winter and engage in fun, outdoor activities with your family. From blooming gardens to sunlit picnic spots, there's no shortage of things to do in spring that can cater to every age. In this guide, we'll explore my favorite things to do in spring, explore my checklist of family trip essentials, and share some vital infant travel tips to ensure your family outings are enjoyable and safe for everyone.
Top family-friendly spring activities
1. Spring hikes and walks
One of the things I love to do in spring with my family is go on a walk or a hike in nature. Nature is rejuvenating, and I always look forward to the peace and the spring breeze around me. If you have a young kid or a baby, there are plenty of kid-friendly hiking trails or state parks you can check out on your next spring trip. Here are some of my faves:
- Tree Farm Trail at Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- South Bubble Mountain Trail at Acadia National Park
- Dream Lake Trail at Rocky Mountain National Park
- Gold Creek Pond in Washington
- Rifle Falls State Park in Colorado
- Cacapon Resort State Park in West Virginia
@wanderlustinohio have you hike the Tree Farm Trail at Cuyahoga Valley National Park? It’s considered one of the most family friendly trails in the park. #cuyahogavalleynationalpark #familyfriendly #hikingwithkids #exploreohio ♬ Acoustic Folk Instrumental - Yunusta
Also read: 10 Tips for a Successful Outdoor Adventure With Your Children
2. Visit a local farm
One of the best infant-friendly spring activities for young families is to check out a local farm. During the season, there are tons of farms offering tours that include fun activities like food tastings, fruit picking, and animal feeding. Plus, they’re a great chance to go on a fun family road trip!
Some of the farm tours that I’ve done in the past are:
- Area2Farms in Arlington, Virginia
- Good Karma Ranch in North Carolina (so many alpacas!)
- Farmy Farms in Southern California
- Barstow’s Longview Farm in Hadley, Massachusetts.
- Klein Farms in Easton, Pennsylvania
@jennnyyq A gem to visit in Easton, PA 🫶🏻#farmfun #eastonpa #pennsylvania #familyfun #thingstodoinpennsylnania #GradeUpWithGrammarly ♬ Summer day - TimTaj
3. Visit a flower field
Another fun spring activity for families is to visit a flower field. It’s one of the best things to do this season because it’s when all flowers like tulips and sunflowers are in full bloom. It’s great for families and children of all ages, and the flower fields create some of the best backgrounds for family photos. Here are some flower fields you can visit in the States in spring:
- Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Oregon
- Carlsbad Ranch in California
- Pelindaba Lavender Farm in Washington
- Burnside Farms in Virginia
- Antelope Valley in California
- Crested Butte in Colorado
- Skagit Valley in Washington
- Purple Haze Lavender Farm, Washington
@leylakimmm The cutest baby outdoor activity🤩 it was simply beautiful🥹🌸 she loved seeing all the colors and feeling the textures💐 plus it’s an awesome weekend family activity🫶🏼 10/10 #fyp #flowerfields #spring #babytok #babyfever #momsoftiktok #momlife #familyactivity #babyactivities #babyoutdoorplay #parati ♬ invisible string harp cover - hannah_harpist
4. Family camping trip
Besides a farm tour, another fun family spring activity is a good old camping trip! We try to do this at least once a year, specifically throughout the spring and Fall seasons. It’s a great way to disconnect from our digital lives and spend quality time with one another. This year, I want to invite my friends or Artie’s relatives, like his grandparents and aunts. I’ve never done it before, I want a chance to plan a huge camping trip to create more memories.
@vasitii camping with our (almost) one year old!🏕️🫶 #familycamping ♬ original sound - Jackie Pettitt
Also read: 10 Family Camping Essentials for a Memorable Outdoor Experience
5. A picnic at the park
A picnic at the park is honestly one of my favorite spring activities to do with my family. I’ll usually pack sandwiches, cut-up fruit, homemade cookies or brownies, bread or crackers with a nice dip, and a couple of light snacks like pretzel sticks, nuts, and dried fruit. I also make sure to bring water or juice to stay hydrated.
If Artie’s with his friends on a playdate, I’d also bring a frisbee or a ball he can play with while I relax with the other mamas at the park.
@lornamckittrick Picnic in the park 🌳 🧺 ✨ Nothing better than sitting with your little family watching the world go by ❤️ @TheMancGoat #stamfordpark #9monthsold #boymum #mumsoftiktok #maternityleave #fyp #foryou #spring #picnic #tameside ♬ Good Memories - Cochren & Co.
6. Planting a family garden
Gardening is a recent hobby I picked up last year and this season, I’ve been planting a lot of things lately! Since it’s spring, I’ve been working on growing vegetables and herbs for the kitchen: Spinach, carrots, broccoli, beets, parsley, and basil. I’ve also planted a couple of flowers like daffodils, azaleas, and lilacs to brighten up the garden.
My garden’s a work in progress, but I love how it gives me something to do during the day. Since Artie loves spending more time outdoors, I’ve recruited his help to water a few of the flowers and vegetables. He constantly asks me when he can harvest them because he’s so excited about them!
@themeganroman We planted our spring garden this weekend! 🌸 Gardening is my families favorite activity to do together! Every evening we go outside, water our plants, check on our buds/veggies, and look for bugs/wildlife! Starting a little backyard garden can be as simple and elaborate as you'd like! Last year we kept it small with just a few potted plants and veggies but it was perfect and we had so much fun! This year we are going a little bigger and we will see how it goes!! If you have a garden with your kiddos, I would love to see it! #backyardgarden #gardening #gardeningwithkids #toddleractivities #toddlerideas #activitiesforkids #springgarden #momofthree #momof3 #backyard #garden #homeschoolfamily #homeschoolscience ♬ Outdoors - Acoustic Guitar Chill
7. Spring cleaning
Next on our list of family spring activities, spring cleaning is another thing you can do this season. It’s a great opportunity to declutter and refresh your home and get everyone involved as you tackle each room and surface. If you’ve got a bigger family, you can team up and see who can clean the most rooms in less than an hour. I used to do with my siblings growing up, and it’s seriously fun!
@sarahaboots He LOVES vacuuming with this one! #cleanup #whistlewhileyouwork #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #fypage #toddler #cleaning #work #busybaby ♬ Whistle While You Work (From "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves") - Magic Movies
Also read: Revamping The Baby Nursery For Spring: Cleaning Tips and Reorganization Essentials
Tip: If you have any old items like old toys, you can either donate them or sell them at a yard sale.
8. Outdoor crafts
If your kid loves getting their hands dirty with art supplies, you can set up a craft station outside and let their creativity run wild! Let your kid paint rocks, create spring-themed sensory bins, make leaf prints, and create flower crows. Artie loves to draw and color, so I’ll include his coloring books or spring-themed coloring sheets, colored pencils, and crayons.
@daily_dig How fun is this sensory base?! It looks just like grass! Just broken spaghetti, food coloring, and a splash of vinegar! Lay it out to dry then add it to a bin with scoops and bowls then voila… a simple spring sensory bin! Save and share this fun activity! 🥕🌸 #springactivities #sensoryplay #sensorybin #kidsactivities #preschoolactivities #easyplayideas #learningthroughplay #sensoryactivities ♬ honeypie - flora ✿
9. Outdoor games
However, if your kid doesn’t want to engage in arts and crafts in spring, you can also bring out their favorite toys and playmat, and play outside. It’s perfect for slow days in spring when you don’t know what to do in the late afternoons. You can blow bubbles, play hide and seek, read a book together, and play I Spy with your surroundings.
@brittrodriguezz play time outside with our @Lovevery toys are the best 💛🌳🌸🌿🧸🌷 For his first bday i want to get him some outdoor play stuff like an activity table or something. Let me know if you have any recs!! #lovevery #loveverygift #montessori #outdoorplay #outdoorplaytime #outsideplay #springkidsactivities #springactivities ♬ origineel geluid - hanna
10. Bike ride
If your family knows how to ride a bike, why not take them out and go on a ride? You can explore your neighborhood, local trails, and even the park. It’s also a great way to exercise and spend time together as a family. I haven’t taught Artie how to ride a bike yet, but it’s one of the things I want to teach him when he’s a little older.
Tip: Remember to always supervise your kid on their bike, and make sure that they’re wearing a helmet at all times.
@jacquelynstoddard this trick saved me so much time & so many headaches 😅 next step will be to get her off of those training wheels 👏🏻 #howtorideabike #howtoteachtoddler #bikeriding #ridingbike #bikehack #parenthacks #toddlerparents ♬ Good Vibes (Instrumental) - Ellen Once Again
11. Bird watching
Spring is the perfect time for bird watching as many species return from their winter migration. All you need is a pair of binoculars, a bird guidebook, and a camera. My husband loves to birdwatch, and he often involves our son in this calming spring activity. I’ve watched my boys pore over the guidebook, and whenever we’re out on a nature trail, they’re always trying to see how many different birds they can find.
We’ve also set up a bird feeder camera outside of our home so we can also see which birds fly by our windows this season!
Packing essentials for your children
When heading out for any spring activities, ensuring you have the right gear for your baby is crucial. Here’s what I usually pack for any road trip with my family:
1. Warm baby and toddler clothes for sleep
A portable baby sleeping bag (or sleep nest) is essential to ensure your baby sleeps comfortably during naps or overnight camping trips. It's designed to provide warmth and comfort in various outdoor conditions. As a baby, Artie wore lightweight sleep nests, but we also included an outdoor sleep nest when he experienced his first outdoor camping trip with us. Now that he’s a little older, we’ve dressed him in warm fleece buntings and pajamas throughout our spring family trips.
@marissarosegiov We are obsessed with @baby_deedee_ and our baby bear furry bunting! We go on a family walk everyday and this is the perfect outerwear for him. For a baby that’s on the go, this bunting keeps up with him. And he is the cutest little bear 🐻 To get your own furry bunting or any of their other baby apparel, use my code for 10% off your order: Marissagiov10 #babydeedee #babyapparel #babyboy #10monthsold #babyouterwear #fyp #ftm #sahm ♬ So This Is Love - Sneha
If you’re wondering where you can get any of these baby and toddler clothes, you can get them in any baby retail store, or any baby online store. I got all of Artie’s sleeping clothes from Baby DeeDee because it’s a brand I trust. I love how good-quality their collections are, and how they’ve never failed to keep my growing boy comfortable in changing weather.
2. Other diaper bag essentials
Besides baby and toddler clothes, there are tons of things you should pack in your diaper bag. Pack plenty of diapers, wipes, a ziplock bag for dirty items, a foldable play mat, a changing mat, and a few changes of clothes for your children. No matter the age of your child, you should also bring any form of entertainment to keep them entertained on long drives or flights, like stuffed animals and a book.
@bellan0elle This was soooo easy and convenient to travel with for Easter weekend down the shore! Last minute pick up and we havent stopped using it since. #newborntips #newbornhacks #babysleeptips #babysleephelp #newbornsleep #snugglenest ♬ original sound - NOELLE LUALHATI ❀
3. Protective baby gear
If you’re planning to spend a lot of time outdoors, bring a few things to help protect your baby and toddler from the changing weather. Besides baby buntings, consider bringing a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, a comfortable cardigan or jacket for toddlers, and socks for their feet. Other baby gear I also brought along in the past were a car seat, the stroller, and stroller hooks for my diaper bag.
4. Your baby’s feeding essentials or kid-friendly snacks
Include baby formula or breast milk and bottles in your list of things you need to pack for your baby. But if they’re starting to eat solid foods, you can also bring baby spoons, sippy cups, and baby food.
As for your toddler, include nutritional and healthy snacks in your diaper bag, like dried fruit, nuts, energy balls, crackers, light sandwiches, and more. These will help keep your kid satisfied before their next meal, especially on longer flights and drives.
@the.stylehaus I know i’m extra, i’ve been told #momlife #momtok #travelhack #kidstravel #toddlertravel #toddlertravelhacks #kidshack #planeideas #toddlerplanesurvival #toddlerplaneactivities #planefood #toddlertraveltips #snackbox #snackcraft ♬ original sound - Marina/ Mom Parenting Kids
5. A first aid kit for kids
Always carry a first aid kit for kids, including items like pediatric pain relievers, hand sanitizer, bandages and gauze, adhesive tape, band-aids, insect repellent, and antiseptic wipes. In your first aid kit, you can also include allergy medication, ointments, and lotions, too.
@reeselaa Toddler travel essentials ✈️✨ #momfinds #travel ♬ Little Things - Adrian Berenguer
Infant and toddler travel tips for a safe and fun trip
1. Maintain a routine
While travelling, your children might not feel comfortable about living and sleeping in an unfamiliar place. The timezone changes in certain cases can also affect their quality of sleep, which leaves them feeling overtired. In this case, it’s important to maintain their usual routines on their trip.
When Artie was around 18 months, he travelled with us to the other side of the country to meet his grandparents. He struggled on his first flight, but I tried my best to stick to his usual nap and feeding schedules. One of the ways I did this back then was by bringing something from home to bring a sense of comfort and familiarity, like his Jellycat toy.
2. Infant or toddler travel sleep solutions
Invest in a good quality baby sleeping bag and a portable crib or playard to create a comfortable sleeping environment wherever you go. Consider bringing a light blanket to help them sleep better at night. Likewise for toddlers, you can do the same with a warm quilt, and you can pack two sets of jammies for their bedtime.
3. Safety first
Always use a car seat when traveling and check that all baby gear is set up correctly and is age-appropriate. If you’re planning to explore a few places with a stroller, make sure the straps are securely fastened, and that your baby is comfortable in their stroller.
Also read: Baby Safety Tips for Babywearing Essentials
4. Stay hydrated and protected
Keep your baby hydrated, especially if you're spending time outdoors, and use baby-friendly sunscreen to protect their sensitive skin.
5. Be prepared for weather changes
Spring weather can be unpredictable, so pack for all eventualities—sun, rain, and a sudden drop in temperature. If it’s going to be raining, bring a pair of waterproof shoes, a small umbrella, and a raincoat for your kids. As for days that are going to be warm, an outer layer that you can easily put on or take off will do just the trick!
Also read: Upgrading The Kids’ Wardrobe: How To Dress For Spring
By following these tips and packing the right essentials, you can ensure that your family’s spring adventures are not only fun but also comfortable and safe for your little one. Whether it’s a quiet day in the park or an exciting family camping adventure, spring is the perfect time to create lasting memories with your loved ones.
Featured image credit: prostooleh
