With the days getting longer and the earth softening under our feet, spring calls us outside. Birds return with their morning songs, buds peek out from bare branches, and suddenly our toddlers are running to the door with muddy boots and big ideas. It’s the perfect time to refresh your routine with simple spring outdoor activities for toddlers that bring joy, movement, and connection.
But let’s be honest: even the most outdoorsy mamas can fall into a rut. After a long winter of layering up and squishing into snow boots, it’s easy to feel stuck—especially on a sunny day when you want to go out but don’t know what to do.
That’s why I created this 10-Day Spring Outdoor Challenge—a simple, actionable, and joyful invitation to get outside with your little ones and rediscover the magic of spring.
This challenge was inspired by one of my favorite posts, Spring Activities for Outdoor Kids, and it’s meant to help solve that common “we want to go outside, but we don’t know what to do” dilemma. Whether you’re new to nature play or working toward a bigger goal like the 1,000 Hours Outside Challenge, this mini-adventure is a great place to start.
Why Try a Spring Outdoor Challenge?
A challenge gives us a little nudge—a reason to say yes, a rhythm to follow, and a fresh sense of purpose. And when it’s just 10 days of spring outdoor activities for toddlers—low-prep and doable for even the busiest moms—it actually feels manageable.
You don’t have to do 10 days in a row. You don’t need to check every box. The goal is simply to step outside and explore the season through your child’s eyes.
And if you’re already thinking, but what if it rains?, let me just say: rain days can be the most fun of all. Check out No Such Thing As Bad Weather for all my favorite ways to embrace the elements and get outside anyway.
The Be Wild Mama 10-Day Spring Outdoor Challenge
All of these spring outdoor activities for toddlers are low-prep, mess-friendly, and approved by my own muddy little explorer. Whether you’ve got 15 minutes before dinner or an entire Saturday to roam, there’s something here for you.
🌧 Day 1: Puddle Party
Wait for (or hope for) a good spring rain and step outside in boots—or none at all! Splash, stomp, run through wet grass, and observe how water moves. It’s pure joy for toddlers. Want to gear up for messy play? Check out our favorite rain suit for toddlers and these Bogs boots for toddlers (snow and rain).
🌸 Day 2: Flower Hunt
Go on a walk and look for five different colored flowers. It’s a gentle way to introduce colors and plant names. Take a photo, talk about them, or draw what you saw when you get home.
🧺 Day 3: Backyard Picnic
Bring lunch or a snack outdoors! Spread a blanket, keep it simple (think sandwiches, fruit, and something crunchy), and enjoy a meal in the sunshine. Bonus: less mess to clean up inside.
🪵 Day 4: Stick Play
Let your toddler lead a stick collection adventure. Gather sticks in your yard or park and make piles, forts, or lines. Add pinecones and leaves for variety. It’s all about open-ended, child-led play.
☁️ Day 5: Sky Gazing
Lie down together and look up. What shapes do the clouds make? Can you spot birds, bugs, or even the moon? It’s a peaceful way to connect and practice presence—something I write more about in Easy Nature Activities for Kids.
🎨 Day 6: Nature Art
Bring out a sketchpad, chalk, or watercolors and draw what you see. Toddlers love painting with leaves, sticks, or even fingers. Collect a few treasures for a collage later. More easy ideas like this can be found in my post on Earth Day activities for kids.
🥾 Day 7: Trail Adventures
Find a local trail—even if it’s short—and let your child lead the way. It might take 30 minutes to go 10 feet, and that’s okay. Spring is a season for wandering slowly and noticing.
🐜 Day 8: Bug Safari
Flip over rocks, peek at tree bark, or inspect the grass. What insects can you find? Bring a magnifying glass for extra fun. Just look—no need to touch! These tiny science adventures are a favorite in our house.
👣 Day 9: Sensory Walk
Tune into your senses on your next walk. What do you feel? Smell? Hear? Let your child walk barefoot on grass or dig their fingers into the dirt. Talking about textures and sounds is a great way to introduce mindfulness.
🌱 Day 10: Plant Something
You don’t need a garden—just a pot, some soil, and seeds. Try sunflowers, herbs, or beans. Toddlers love watering and checking on their plants (even if they un-plant them minutes later).
Free Printable: 10-Day Challenge Checklist (Coloring Page!)
I made a printable coloring checklist to go with this challenge! Let your little one color in each day’s activity as you complete it together. It’s a fun way to build excitement and ends up being a sweet keepsake.
👉 Download the 10-Day Spring Outdoor Challenge Checklist (Coloring Page)
Print it out, stick it on the fridge or your mudroom wall, and let the spring adventures begin.
More Ideas for Spring Outdoor Fun
Want even more spring outdoor activities for toddlers? Don’t miss:
These posts are full of fresh ways to get outside, play, and make memories—whether you’ve got a toddler, a preschooler, or a whole group of wild things.
Why It Matters
Spring is a season of renewal—not just for the soil, but for us mamas, too. After months of bundled-up routines, these simple outdoor moments offer breathing room, movement, and magic.
Time outside helps kids grow and explore, but it also lifts our spirits, grounds our bodies, and connects us with our children. This challenge is a reminder that the most meaningful moments often start with saying “yes” to something small: a puddle, a picnic, a stick.
Let’s say yes this spring.
Let’s Spring Into the Comments!
What’s your favorite springtime activity with your kids? Are you planning to try the 10-Day Spring Outdoor Challenge? What’s felt hard or surprising about getting outside lately? Drop a comment below and let’s encourage one another through this beautifully muddy season of motherhood.