29 Montessori Spring Activities for Toddlers To Love

Spring is finally here! The sun is shining longer, tiny buds are waking up, and toddlers? They are ready to run wild. – or that’s me. If you’ve been stuck inside all winter, this is the perfect time to bring Montessori learning outdoors.

Spring means mud, bugs, and little hands covered in things they probably shouldn’t touch. And mommy touching things she shouldn’t touch lol. That’s the magic of it, though. Montessori is all about letting toddlers explore the world at their own pace, and spring offers a natural playground full of learning opportunities.

So grab your mud pants, a basket, and a curious heart—here are 31 Montessori spring activities you can do with your toddler this season!

🌱Nature-Based Practical Life Activities

Montessori = real-world learning. These activities build independence while getting toddlers involved in everyday nature tasks.

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1. Watering the Garden 🌿

Toddlers love water. Hand them a tiny watering can and let them care for plants. Teach them to check if the soil is dry before watering. So far my son has loved watering indoors. I am excited to introduce him to outdoor gardening. For more Montessori Activities For More Independence check this post.

2. Making a Bird Feeder 🐦

Use a pinecone, peanut butter, and birdseed to create a simple feeder. Hang it up and watch birds come!

I got that idea from pinterest. My son loves watching birds so we’ll try this soon.

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3. Leaf Rubbing Art 🍃

Place leaves under paper and rub crayons over them to reveal the patterns. I used to do this with my grandma as a kid <3.

5. Planting Seeds in an Egg Carton 🌱

Use an old egg carton as a mini nursery for herbs or flowers. Watch their amazement as sprouts appear! Cress grows really fast. Here are also some beautiful edible flower seeds.

6. Picking Flowers for a Nature Bouquet 💐

Let them gather wildflowers and arrange them in a little vase. You can gift them to grandma or showcase them at home. Just make sure they don’t grab the poisonous ones.

7. Washing Outdoor Toys 💦

Fill a basin with soapy water and let them “clean” their cars, dolls, or play kitchen tools. PS.: Here are more water sensory play ideas.

Or give them a small broom and spray bottle (just water!) to help clean outdoor furniture or wash their toys.

8. Bug Watching 🐞

Turn over rocks, look for worms, or watch bees at work.

9. Mashing Berries to Make Natural Paint 🎨

Use blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries to make safe, toddler-friendly paint.

10. Nature Weaving 🍂

Collect sticks, leaves, and grass and weave them into a simple frame made of twigs.

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🌸 Sensorial & Outdoor Exploration

Spring is full of colors, textures, and sounds—perfect for sensory play.

11. Puddle Jumping & Mud Play 🌧

Let them stomp, splash, and feel the squish of mud. Montessori says YES to mess! I strongly recommend mud pants and mud jackets. What I look for are elastic cuffs so the mud doesn’t seep in.

12. Pressing Flowers in a Book 📖

Collect small flowers, press them between heavy books, and check back in a week.

13. Listening Walk 👂

Walk in silence for a few minutes—what do they hear? Birds? Wind? A far-off truck?

14. Rock Sorting & Washing 🪨

Collect smooth rocks, wash them in a bin, then sort by size or color.

15. Making a Spring Sensory Bin 🌼

Fill a bin with dried beans, fake grass, flowers, and scoops.

16. Smelling & Identifying Herbs 🌿

Crush basil, rosemary, or mint—let them sniff and guess the herb.

17. Cloud Watching & Storytelling ☁️

Lie on a blanket and describe cloud shapes.

18. Barefoot Nature Walk 🦶

Let them feel grass, dirt, sand, and stones under their feet.

19. Shadow Play 🌞

Show how their shadow moves and changes as they jump and wave.

20. DIY Nature Paintbrushes 🎨

Tie pine needles, grass, or feathers to sticks and let them paint with them.

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🌿 Language & Cognitive Montessori Activities

Ps: In case you are interested in the Montessori Method you can check the American Montessori Society or the Montessori Guide.

21. Storytelling with Nature Objects 🐦

Find a rock, leaf, and feather. Ask, “What story can we tell about these?”

22. Learning Spring Words in a Second Language 🗣

Introduce seasonal words in another language (flower, rain, sunshine). For more language learning tips check this post.

23. Counting Petals & Leaves 🍂

Pick flowers and count petals or group leaves into sets.

24. Matching Leaves to Trees 🌳

Show them different trees and match their fallen leaves.

25. Nature Scavenger Hunt 🔍

Make a list of things to find: a round rock, a yellow flower, a small bug. Click on the image for the full size.

26. Arranging Sticks by Size 📏

Collect sticks and place them from shortest to longest.

27. Sensory Storytime 📚

Read books about spring while letting them touch grass, flowers, or dirt.

28. Observing the Moon & Stars 🌙

Take a quick evening walk and watch the moon’s shape change.

29. Making a Nature Journal 📖

Let them draw or glue in leaves, flowers, or feathers from each outing.

30. Toddler-Led Gardening 🌾

Let them choose one “job” in the garden—maybe pulling weeds or harvesting tiny tomatoes.

31. Rainy Day Window Art 🌧

Another great Montessori Spring activity if it rains. Use washable paint to make raindrop designs on the window, then wash it away.

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Final Thoughts: Montessori Activities in Spring = Let Them Explore!

Spring Montessori learning is about freedom, discovery, and real-world experiences. Some days will be muddy, others full of giggles and sunshine—but every day will be full of learning.

Which of these will you try first? Let me know in the comments or tag me on Instagram @mommyscrafttime if you try any!