Spring Shelfie

We're so excited its SPRING! (Even though the weather isn't quite getting the memo...) So many learning opportunities come with a change in seasons and our littles have been eagerly awaiting the new nature learning activities I set up!

Take a closer look at the collection of 11 spring-inspired activities (SIX printables & TWO activities available in the Planted Creative Shop) currently on our playroom shelves!

1. Colourful Bugs — COLOUR MATCHING & FINE MOTOR

• Planted Creative FREE Colourful Bugs Printable; laminated

• large & regular sized popsicle sticks & painted egg carton

Match the coloured bug to the colour on the egg carton. Push the stick into the cut slit in each.

2. Name Flower Garden — LITERACY, SEQUENCING & FINE MOTOR

• Planted Creative Name Flower Garden Printable

• tray (to keep pieces contained within the shelf)

Help your little one learn to spell their name with this spring inspired literacy activity!

Write your child's name on the flower pot & each individual letter in the centre of each flower. Cut out the flowers & place or paste the letters in sequential order.

3. Lily Pad Math — MATH & FINE MOTOR

• Planted Creative Lily Pad Math Printable; covered with sheet protector

• tray (to keep pieces contained within the shelf)

Use small items like crafts gems or pom poms to help your little one learn how to add, subtract, and multiply with this spring inspired math activity!

• cut out each lily pad or use sheet as is

• laminate or use clear sheet protector

4. Butterfly Bingo — MATH, NUMBER RECOGNITION, FINE MOTOR

5. Butterfly Life Cycle Sequencing — SCIENCE, SEQUENCING, & FINE MOTOR

• Planted Creative Butterfly Bingo Printable & Butterfly Life Cycle Sequencing Printable

• scissors & glue

• bingo dabber or markers & dice

• tray (to keep pieces contained within the shelf)

(4) Roll two dice & add up total. Find the number on the butterfly sheet & colour or dab in its space. If playing with more than one child, the first to get all the numbers filled in wins!

(5) A simple activity to learn more about caterpillars & butterflies! Cut out each caterpillar & glue one to each stick; let dry. Wrap each stick to make the caterpillars their 'cocoons'.This activity pairs well with the next Planted Creative activity!

6. Caterpillar Cocoons — FINE MOTOR & SCIENCE

• Planted Creative Caterpillar Cocoons Printable

• 4 large craft popsicle sticks | white glue or Mod Podge | string or twine

• tray (to keep pieces contained within the shelf)

A simple activity to learn more about caterpillars & butterflies! Cut out each caterpillar & glue one to each stick; let dry. Wrap each stick to make the caterpillars their 'cocoons'.

7. Frog Counting — MATH & LITERACY, COUNTING, NUMBER & LETTER RECOGNITION, FINE MOTOR

• Planted Creative Frog Counting Activity & Blue Rice Bin (w/ Bamboo Spoon & Tongs)

• basket tray (to keep pieces contained within the shelf)

Count. Learn about even & odd numbers and big & small. Sort. PLAY! Use as a stand-alone activity or add to your sensory bin for fun warmer-weather themed learning & play!

8. Easter Matching — EARLY LITERACY, COLOUR RECOGNITION & MATCHING

• Planted Creative Easter Matching Activity & Pastel Mix Rice Bin (w/ Bamboo Spoon & Tongs)

• basket tray & tray (to keep pieces contained within the shelf)

Easter fun & learning with this collection of loose parts. Simply use this activity on its own or add to your filler of choice to create your own sensory bins and other open-ended, Easter-themed play!

9. Flower Garden Clothesline — FINE MOTOR, COLOUR RECOGNITION, COUNTING & PATTERNS

• felt flowers & leaves

• clothesline tray (thrifted) with dry bean mix (to look like "dirt")

• clothespins

Use clothespins to secure the flowers & leaves to the 'clotheslines'. Make patterns & count!

10. Planting Sensory Bin — FINE MOTOR, COLOUR RECOGNITION, COUNTING & PATTERNS

• large bin with dry black beans & green crinkle paper (to look like "dirt & grass")

• faux flowers & veg | muffin tin | pots & containers | mini gardening tools

Scoop, pour, dig, chat, PLAY!

11. How Things Grow Usborne Activity Book — LITERACY, SCIENCE & FINE MOTOR

We LOVE Usborne Books! They've got the most amazing collection of engaging & interactive learning materials & books of all kinds. We especially love the ones like this — sticker activity books — that make learning fun!

12. BONUS! Spring Vocabulary Words for our Playroom Shelf — LITERACY

• Planted Creative Spring Vocabulary Printable

Encourage early literacy with this collection of spring-inspired vocab words with pictures for reference. Cut out & laminate or use as is; display!

Happy SPRING learning & playing!