The 10 Best Spring Activities for Childminders in 2026
Whether you're a seasoned childminder or just starting out, spring is the perfect time to encourage children in your childminding setting to engage in bright, nature-filled, and creative activities that celebrate new beginnings.
We spoke to childminders to find out which activities their ‘mindees’ love the most. Explore some of their ideas below to inspire your own planning — from outdoor discovery to Easter-inspired crafts.
In this blog, we'll explore:
- Outdoor and Nature Adventures – Celebrate spring growth and explore the great outdoors.
- Water and Sensory Play – Fun, low-cost activities that build early science and sensory skills.
- Community Outings – Discover your local area as everything comes to life again.
- Spring Crafts and Easter Creations – Activities that nurture expression, creativity and fine motor skills.
- Social and Emotional Development – Supporting feelings, relationships and collaboration.
Outdoor and Nature Adventures
After a long winter, everyone is eager to get outside and make the most of lighter days and warmer weather. Spring offers endless opportunities to explore, move, and learn in nature while enjoying fresh air and sunshine.
1. Spring Nature Walks and Bug Hunts
Go on a ‘signs of spring’ walk and look for blooming flowers, budding trees and returning birds. Challenge children to spot bees, ladybirds, or worms on an exciting ’mini-beast safari’.
What you'll need: Your own garden, park or green space near you.
Skills developed: Observation, curiosity, patience, understanding nature.
2. Little Gardeners
Gardening introduces early science skills and gives children a rewarding experience as they watch plants grow. This can be as simple as the classic cress seeds and damp paper towels, or you can plant seeds in the garden or plant pots. The children can help dig the hole, play with the soil, plant the seeds and fill the hole back in.
What you'll need: Seeds, pots, compost, small watering cans.
Skills developed: Responsibility, patience, science awareness, motor skills.
3. Spring or Easter Scavenger Hunts
Create lists themed around spring — a yellow flower, a feather, something that smells fresh. Add a mini-Easter twist by including ’find something egg-shaped’.
What you'll need: Printed or hand-drawn scavenger list.
Skills developed: Exploration of the outdoors as well as problem-solving.
Water and Sensory Play
Playing and experimenting with water is a great way for younger children to have a new sensory experience and is fun for all ages. Water play is easy to set up at home and a cost-effective way to have a great time with your mindees.
Laura, a registered childminder often incorporates water play into her schedule. She said:
“I really love water play, I feel like they get so much sensory goodness out of it. I love seeing their little faces light up with joy.”
As the weather warms up, water and sensory play are perfect for outdoor exploration.
4. Spring-Themed Water Stations
Add toy ducks, petals, or floating Easter eggs to water stations. You can also introduce colour mixing with pastel shades or experiment with ice melting.
What you'll need: Bowls, cups, spoons, coloured water, soft cloths.
Skills developed: Exploration, creativity, fine motor skills.
Community Outings
Childminders love taking the children on an outing or trip in the local community. These outings offer real-world learning and help children develop social confidence. Visiting places such as the local library and shops, a museum, parks encourages curiosity, resilience and communication.
5. Local Libraries
Many libraries offer spring storytelling sessions or themed craft mornings. Check out Easter Storytimes for toddlers or find out about
Bookbug sessions near you.
Skills developed: Language, listening, imagination.
6. Farm or Garden Centre Visits
Seeing lambs, chicks, or seedlings up close helps children connect with the season's growth and renewal.
Skills developed: Observation, empathy, early science learning.
Spring Crafts and Easter Creations
Crafting supports fine motor development, hand-eye coordination and self-expression. Children gain confidence through creating something of their own. For more STEM-themed craft ideas, explore
our STEM Activity Pack. SCMA also provides several STEM-based e-Learning courses to support childminders’ professional development. Find out more
HERE.
Crafting brings the colours and joy of spring indoors. From Easter egg decorating to flower prints, kids love getting creative with Easter-themed activities.
7. Easter Egg Decorating
Use safe dye kits or paint to decorate boiled or wooden eggs. Add sequins, glitter, or stickers for sparkle.
Skills developed: Fine motor control, creativity, focus.
8. Nature Collages
Collect flowers, leaves, and petals on a walk, then use them to make a spring collage or 3D picture.
Skills developed: Coordination, design sense, creativity.
9. Bunny Ear Headbands
Make homemade bunny ears using paper, cotton balls, and elastic. Perfect for an Easter parade or imaginative play.
Skills developed: Expression, fine motor skills, pretend play.
Social and Emotional Development
Strong, nurturing interactions help children understand feelings, build relationships and manage emotions.
10. Role Play: Spring Market
Set up a pretend flower or fruit market. Children can take turns being shopkeepers and customers using toy coins or handmade produce.
Skills developed: Cooperation, social interaction, counting.
Refreshing Your Childminding Schedule
Balancing active play, creative exploration, and peaceful rest helps children flourish — and keeps your days varied. Spring is all about growth, discovery and joy, making it the perfect time to embrace fresh starts and new ideas. By mixing outdoor adventures, seasonal crafts and emotional learning, you'll help your mindees connect with nature — and with each other — as they explore the wonders of spring together.
SCMA worked alongside the Scottish Schools Education Research Centre (SSERC) to develop a range of STEM-based CPL courses, which are available for SCMA members to access online via our easy-to-use e-Learning platform.
Interested in engaging further with STEM and enhance the learning and play experiences for your minded children? Visit our
website for more on SCMA’s courses to support your practice.