Did you know that Spring is known as the Season of New Beginnings? Fresh blooms sprout, animals awaken, and the world springs to life again. 

Spring also signals the end of Flu Season – whew! That means less time defending against icky viruses and more time playing offense with our health. It means boosting our immune system naturally with sunlight, getting in more nutrients with yummy, kid-friendly Spring recipes, and enjoying the great outdoors.

So, after a season of cold days and long nights, let’s Spring into Health with these Fun Activities!

Explore Local Trails

Spring is the perfect time to explore your local surroundings. It’s that season when we’re slowly coming out of our winter burrows but not yet dreaming of summer vacations. And there’s no better way to explore than through hiking your local trails. Apps such as AllTrails are the perfect guide to the great outdoors. They help you discover new trails right in your city and give details such as distance and type of terrain. 

Hiking local trails are also kid-friendly. We all know how fussy kids can get once they get too tired. But a short, non-strenuous hike is a great way to get exercise. 

There’s also plenty of hiking games you can play with your kiddos to make the hike enjoyable and keep them engaged. Here are a few:

• Scavenger Hunt: Have your kiddos collect rocks, feathers, leaves, and other nature items. Then examine them under a microscope when you get home. 
• Engage the Senses: What sounds do they hear? Are there differences in the texture of tree bark? What about smell?
• ISpy: a classic!

Go Kite Flying

Flying a kite is another must on your Springtime Bucket List. It’s easy, fun, and budget-friendly. It gives us a healthy boost of Vitamin D and all that running around increases our kiddo’s activity level. Which means early bedtimes!

Visit a Farmer’s Market

A field trip to the farmer’s market is a must this Spring. Tons of local vendors and farmers gather to sell produce, meat, cheese, eggs, flowers, bakery treats, and more. Not only is it the best way to get fresh food, but your little ones get to support the local community of farmers too. 

Here are a handful of tips to make your trip to Farmer’s Market fun for your kiddos:

• Create a Grocery List together with your little one & let them check off the boxes as you shop – kinda like a Farmer’s Market Scavenger Hunt.
• Engage with the farmers and ask questions to teach your child about where food comes from. Not only will they feel more connected to their food (something that’s been lost with mass-produced, processed foods), but they’ll feel connected to their community too.
• Cook the food you buy! This seems like a no-brainer, but rather than cooking dinner alone, let your child be your little helper. This may even encourage picky eaters to try new foods. 

Dog Walking

This one may sound silly if you don’t own a dog. But learning that dog ownership can enhance fitness, relieve stress, and boost overall health are good reasons to walk a neighbor’s dog!

Adding dog walking (or any walking) with your little ones into a daily routine is an easy way to get more steps in your day. The added benefit of more sunlight can also boost Vitamin D levels and promote better immunity.  

Plant a Garden

Gardening is another Springtime favorite you can easily do with kids. You can start small by planting herbs in containers – think basil, mint, rosemary, and chives. Or go all out with a variety of spring fruits and veggies! You can easily grow lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. And don’t forget to throw in some sunflowers and marigolds. 

Gardening is a great way to teach kids about growing our own food and encourages healthy eating. And no doubt all that sunlight will raise Vitamin D levels and boost our immune system – much needed after a long winter! 

Here are a few more reasons to start a garden with your little ones: 

• Helps develop children’s senses. The sounds of birds chirping, the touch of different textures, and the many colors of a garden are stimulating to the senses. It can also do wonders for promoting attention and focus.
• Teaches responsibility and patience. Gardening tasks like watering plants, pulling weeds, keeping sticks and debris out, and picking produce are small ways to teach our little ones responsibility. And putting in all that work while waiting for the garden to grow is sure to teach patience at a young age.
• Cultivates a love for the Earth. Engaging with the Earth, watering the soil, and seeing the fruits of our labor will help our kiddos cultivate a love and appreciation for our planet.

Let us know how you’re Springing into Health by tagging us on Instagram @RenzoVitamins.