Spring Garden - Give children seeds, shovels, flower pots, artificial plants, and other gardening props to play with in the sand table. What would happen if you planted a jellybean? Would it grow? How about a penny? Let the children find seeds (popcorn kernel, dry bean, apple seed, or orange seed) and other objects they think would grow. Plant them in clear cups. Predict which ones will grow. Water and observe.

Dirt Cake - Give each child a clear cup. Let each one put a layer of chocolate pudding in the cup, then sprinkle with crushed Oreo cookies. Add a gummy worm and a paper flower stapled to a straw.

Spring Walk - Go on a spring nature walk. Use your senses to look for signs of spring. What can you see? What can you hear? What can you smell? Give children paint chips or colored paper cut in small squares. Can they find something in nature that matches their color?

Popcorn Tree - Sing this new song to the tune of "Turkey in the Straw."

  • I looked out my window (Hand over eye as if looking.)
  • And what did I see? Popcorn popping on my apple tree.
  • What a surprise spring left for me! (Hands on hips.)
  • Popcorn popping on my apple tree.
  • Pop-pop-pop-pop-pop. Pop-pop! (Shake hips from side to side.)
Colored Eggs - Here's a unique technique for dying eggs. Have the children moisten a hard-boiled egg with a sponge. Next, take small strips of colored tissue paper and wrap them around the egg. (Fadeless tissue paper will not work!) When the egg dries, remove the paper to reveal a rainbow egg.
Spring Bottle - Fill a plastic bottle with Easter grass. Add small seasonal erasers or toys, such as chicks, bunnies, or eggs. Fill with water and glue on the lid. Children can count the objects, add them, or just have fun watching them float.

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