Spring is fast approaching, and it’s the perfect time to find some spring activities for homeschoolers. Many springtime activities can be used alongside lessons, and they also provide great opportunities for your child to get out of the house as the weather warms up. Even better, many of these can be done in a group as well, which adds to the fun.

Here are four of the best spring activities for homeschoolers.

Go Bird-Watching

If your child is interested in birds, spring is the perfect time to incorporate some lessons on them. You might want to begin by reading some books on how to identify species of birds that are common in your area and interesting facts about them. Also look for kid-friendly field guides to birds, like this one from Inner Child Fun. You might also want to listen to recordings of the birds’ calls or songs, which can also help you to recognize them.

Once you are familiar with some local bird species, you can then arrange a bird-watching trip. If you are lucky enough to live near a bird observation center, make sure to plan a trip! But even if you don’t have such a center nearby, you can certainly observe local birds at a park, lake, or hiking trail. Bring a field guide, a pair of binoculars, and pay close attention to the sights and sounds around you. It’s also good to have a notebook and your Smartphone or camera handy, so you can jot down notes about the birds you see and maybe even get some pictures of them.

Take a Nature Walk

Aside from bird-watching, there are plenty of other educational outdoor activities your child can participate in. Going for a nature walk is another way for your child to learn about the great outdoors and is fun to do in a group. Before you head off to a park or hiking trail, you can read about local wildlife and create a Nature Study Kit with your homeschooler to help him or her make the most of the trip.

You can customize the Nature Study Kit any way you like, but here are some ideas of what to include. Some useful items are wildlife booklets and picture cards of birds, a wildflower guide, magnifying glass, binoculars, a notebook and pencils, and jars or bags for collecting items. Making a Nature Study Kit to take along is a great way to make the most out of the experience.

Plant a Garden

Spring is a wonderful time to learn more about how plants grow and how to care for them. Caring for a garden is an ideal way for kids to learn about the life cycle of plants. If you live in an apartment or don’t have enough space to plant your own garden, there are plenty of other ways to give your child hands-on experience with gardening.

You can easily create an indoor garden with a few pots, soil, seeds and small plants. Or you can purchase a few small succulents, which your child can learn how to care for. Another option might be to rent a plot in a community garden if there is one in your area. Tending a garden plot is a wonderful learning experience for a child. Being part of a community garden is also a way to connect with other people who live in your area.

For more educational value, have your child learn all about the plants they are working with and how to take care of them.

Plan a Field Trip

The warmer weather means outdoor field trips, which are fantastic opportunities to join forces with other homeschoolers. For some ideas on homeschool trip destinations, check out the Home School Mom blog, where you can search by state. They have extensive lists of parks, museums, trails and many other destinations that are perfect for a field trip.

To enjoy the spring weather, consider a walking tour, a visit to a botanic garden, or a historic site. A field trip is also an excellent opportunity for your child to spend time with other homeschoolers.

Spring will be in the air soon, and chances are your homeschooler is feeling some cabin fever. Now’s the time to start planning some exciting and educational activities to learn about the great outdoors. From planting a garden, taking a bird-watching walk or going on a farm trip, there are tons of activities to choose from.

What are some of your favorite spring activities for homeschoolers? Please leave a comment or post on the BreadcrumbsHQ Facebook page and let us know!