Make the Most of Spring Weather

As winter breaks and spring starts to settle in, the warmer weather is something most people embrace.

Streets burst to life as kids from all over the neighborhood take to their friends’ doors, knocking and asking if their pals can come outside. Through it all, though, the weather continues to change. Before you know it, the fair 70s will give way to blistering 90s. Kids will stay outside in the summer more than they will in the winter, but intense heat makes them much less likely to want to spend time running around in the hot sun.

Before the warmer weather actually arrives, it is a good idea to talk with the family and get an idea about what kind of activities they might like to try once the weather warms up. This way, unseasonably warm weekend days can let you take advantage of all the spring-like weather as possible. Likewise, prioritize what the family wants to do. You might only get one good day, so take advantage of all of your time.

Family hike through the woods in early spring. Photo: Olga Koberidze | Dreamstime.com

As soon as the weather starts warming up, encourage the kids and family unit to get outside. A mild hike, fishing trip and even a simple game of catch are perfect ways to spend some time outdoors. When doing these things with young children, make sure nothing you have planned is too intense. A fun hike can turn into a nightmare for everyone involved when young kids get tired and don’t feel like they can continue.

No matter what time of year, it is important to be mindful of conditions. Rain has the possibility to make a hot day more bearable, but, again, if you are dealing with small children, their temperament might not be able to handle the stress. Even if temperature and conditions are perfect, it might not be a great idea to push the family too hard. Nothing will ruin an activity faster than an unpleasant experience.

Keep an eye on your family’s spirits and temperament. If children are beginning to get unruly and tired, it isn’t a bad idea to pack it in, even if there is much more to do on the itinerary.

Consider moving traditionally indoor activities outside. Story time under a tree in the park can provide enough of a change of scenery to get kids excited about typical tasks and activities.

Most important of all, perhaps, is the eye you keep on the children’s allergies. If your family suffers from allergies and a pollen report is especially tough, it might be a good idea to skip the outside activities that day.

Spring and fall are fleeting. Before you know it, the air conditioner will be on every day and you will have a tough time convincing anyone to do anything outside, so make hay while the sun shines.