This week marks one month of having the kids home ALL THE TIME. I know how hard this is for everyone, especially if you are also trying to work from home while trying to teach, feed, play with and just generally take care of your kids. Last week I chose an Easter theme when trying to plan out arts, crafts and baking activities to supplement the school work my kids are doing. This week I am going on a theme of the earth/springtime. April is Earth month, and Earth Day is coming up on April 22nd, so I figured this would be a good focus right now and wanted to share with you some of the activities I am planning.

As always, I will be trying my best to do these activities (at least most of them) and sharing them on my Instagram stories. You can always follow me on Instagram at my @emilycordonier handle.

Do a Neighbourhood Clean-Up

It is always a good idea to do a neighbourhood clean-up, but especially after a winter’s snow melt here in Ottawa! The melting snow can leave behind lots of trash that was hidden in the snow. This is a great activity to incorporate into a little walk close to home while providing a community service. Be sure to wear gloves and keep a close eye on what kids (especially younger ones) are picking up. Bring along a garbage bag and help clean up your community!

Complete a Signs of Spring Scavenger Hunt

No matter where you live (even if you are in the still-snowy Prairies…sorry about that by the way), there are signs that spring has arrived. Here in Ottawa we can certainly spot some signs. Here are some things you can look for on a scavenger hunt around your neighbourhood/yard. Maybe take a little notebook and a pen and make note of them as you spot some of the following: crocus flowers poking through the grass, tulips just starting to sprout, the brown grass turning to green, how many types of birds can you spot, can you find a bird nest, what animals can you spot…and any other signs of spring you can think of!

Make a Rainbow Decoration for Window Display

A rainbow is such a great symbol of hope and springtime. This has already been a popular isolation project for many people, but we haven’t yet done it as a family. We have been decorating our front windows with a number of things – most recently Easter eggs, but those are ready to come down and be replaced by something new. I’ve seen lots of examples of different rainbow displays, but here are a few photos from ones friends of mine have done. I will be using them for some inspiration when we go to do our rainbow.

Painting Rocks

This is a great multi-part activity. One you need to go out and search for good rocks that you can wash and then paint. Then sit down with the kids and work on painting them. Kids young and older can be challenged with this. If you have a garden, head on out to decorate your garden with them. Or, you could even go and place them around your block/neighbourhood to brighten other people’s days as they go for a stroll.

Create a Small Indoor Garden Display

Find a tupperware container you aren’t using, or maybe a shallow bucket or large can. Then head out and find some dirt to put into the container for a base. Then let your child collect leaves, grass, sticks, rocks, whatever they want to arrange in the dirt for a little garden display. Your child can then find little toys, action figures, maybe Lego figurines or anything they can think of they might want to put in that garden terrarium. It makes for a cute little display that can go in the house or be kept outside.

Teach the Kids How to Sort Recycling

Earth Month is a fabulous time to give a lesson in recycling. This is a life lesson that can be taught and reinforced at any age. Explain to your children what can be recycled, what is garbage and then teach them how to sort it properly. Teach them about the green bin and get them to help (or takeover) on garbage and recycling days.

Make a List on How to Conserve Energy

Earth Month is a great reminder to teach children about how to save energy and why that is important for our environment. Turning off the lights when we leave a room, not running the water non-stop as we brush our teeth, running the dishwasher only when it is full etc.

Give a Lesson in Cloud Formations

I still remember learning about the different types of clouds when I was in elementary school. I thought it was so cool to learn the difference between a cumulous cloud, a stratus cloud, a nimbus cloud and so on…and what kind of weather each one might bring! If you need a refresher on clouds, just give it a google or check out this website HERE. Then you can go on a walk (or multiple walks) and ask your kids what types of clouds they can spot.

There is also a fun, little science demonstration on clouds and rain that can be found on this website here. Best part you don’t need many ingredients – just a jar or glass, water, food colouring and shaving cream.

Plant Some Seeds

Now is a great time to get some seeds planted and start planning your garden! Now, more than ever, is a wonderful time to consider planting a vegetable garden. You can do it inside in a pot and then transplant them outdoors as they start to grow and the weather gets warmer. Beans and peas are some of the easiest things to plant from a seed, and it really doesn’t take long to watch them start to sprout! You don’t need anything fancy either – if you don’t have a pot, use a used jar or even an egg carton to plant the seeds. There are places to order seeds online, and many of the essential grocery stores around that are still open will be selling seeds as well.