>Spring is finally here, which means it’s the perfect time of year to try out new activities. We’ve gathered a few of our favorite springtime activities designed to flex the Sensory Alphabet muscles.
LINE – Spring Story Lines
Using index cards, your favorite spring related photos from magazines (and/or photos from your child’s life), make story cards that can be rearranged to tell different story lines.
Arrange them in different ways to tell different stories to one another. Or shuffle a few, lay them out adn make up a story to go with the pictures.
RHYTHM – Rhythm Walk
Take a “rhythm walk” around the neighborhood or playground. Follow the leader while adding different rhythms to your walk. The leader can call out descriptive words such as “snow,” “ice,” “jello,” or “honey” to help influence the pace of the walk.
SPACE – Build your own Obstacle Course
Starting with a collection of materials that can be used for constructions that change and create space (blocks, boxes, boards, chairs, logs, sand, mats, tents, cones, jump ropes ect.), make your own obstacle course in your back yard or park. For some great inspiration, see the Simple Kids website.
MOVEMENT – Egg Relay Race
With just a few plastic spoons, some boiled eggs, and some eager children, take your Easter activities up a notch! (From Martha Stewart)
TEXTURE – Collage
Make a texture collection in your neighborhood, filling a grocery bag with found textures. Make rubbings of “spring” related surfaces using a sheet of strong but thin paper over a textured surface. Use the side of a crayon or a piece of chalk to make an impression. Make a collage of your surface rubbings, found textures, and recycled materials from the kitchen and office.
COLOR – Decorate Easter Eggs
Try out different dyeing techniques. Modern Mom lists several ideas to add a twist to your dyeing experience. Try out mixing mediums, such as using colored crepe paper along with the dye. Try to see how many colors you make.
SHAPE – Exploring Leaves
Take photos to collect all the newly sprouted leaves you can find around your neighborhood. See how many different shapes you can collect. Carefully look for differences in the shapes. Try to identify the names of the trees from the leaf shape photos. When you’re finished, press your leaf collection in a discarded phone book (waxed paper can be used to protect the pages). When the leaves have dried, use them for other sensory alphabet projects!
LIGHT – Time Lapse Animation
Make a time-lapse animation of light changing of your favorite spot in your garden or yard. Set up a tripod with a still or movie camera (choose either from a smart phone!) and mark the place. Every half hour from dawn until dark, take a few photos or frames from the same position. When you’re done, create a slide show or animation with your photos.
SOUND – Sound Detective
Spend a few hours out in nature or at your favorite park. How many different sounds can you make out? Who and what is making all those springtime sounds? Discover the source for each sound that you hear. Record the sounds, and later try your hand at mimicking them with your voice, hands and body.
Thanks to Carissa McAtee for researching and contributing to this post!