Here are some Spring block play ideas you can use to transform your block center and spark kids’ creativity.
Adding simple, seasonal items to the block center can make it “new” and inviting, and may bring kids to the center who haven’t been there in a while. Adding new items helps promote new thinking and new ideas as they play.
To see more seasonal Block Play ideas, check out Fall Block Play and Winter Block Play.
Easter Eggs
Add a basket of colorful Easter eggs to the block center. These are inexpensive, especially if you purchase them after the holiday and save them for the next year. Children can add them to their block buildings, or build things and pretend to hide the eggs around them for a pretend egg hunt.
White Eggs
Some schools are not allowed to have Easter items. If that’s the case where you teach, you can use white eggs. These are exactly like the colored plastic eggs, but they’re white. These would also work great if you are currently doing a Farm Theme. Wooden eggs would be a great option also since they wouldn’t break.
Wooden Birdhouses
These little wooden birdhouses came from a dollar store. I’ve also seen them at craft stores and they’re not too expensive. Mine were $1.00 each. I love that these are natural wood and they match our natural wood blocks. Kids love to add these to their block creations in the Spring time.
Artificial Flowers & Flower Pots
Artificial flowers can be very inexpensive — get these from a dollar store. You can either keep the stems on (just make sure they have no sharp wire ends), or cut the flower top off of the stem.
I added these little flower pots, which are also from a dollar store.
Artificial Green Leaves
In the Fall, I had colored leaves in the Block Center. For Spring, I added green leaves. To get these leaves, I bought a green vine from the dollar store and cut the leaves off the vine. Kids love to play with these with the bugs (see photo below). They also love to use them to make a jungle for our jungle animals.
Bugs
For Spring time, it’s fun to add some bugs to the Block Center! There are many sources for bug toys like these. My set is made by Lakeshore, but I actually bought the set on eBay. I got them for a lot less money, and they were in perfect condition.
Kids especially like to put the bugs with the green leaves.
Do you have any Spring Block Play ideas to share? Please tell us what you add to your blocks center in the comments below!
Thanks Karen , I always look forward to seeing your ideas and really appreciate it. Cath
Hi Karen , i absoulutly love your ideas and they help me heaps.. I did bug theme just couple of weeks ago I tried this activity and my chidren loved it.. I put bugs inside a large box and covered them with coloured gelatine water after they set up I let my toddlers to dig them out.. It was wonderful experience
Hello, I love these ideas. More and more, I am incorporating real and life-like items in my learning areas. Where did you find the tree disk thingy? Was it purchased or cut from an actual tree?
Thanks.
Faye
Hi Faye, those are Tree Blocks. I purchased a set, but they are actually cut from real trees. You can find them at http://www.treeblocks.com and also from Lakeshore and Amazon.
Every time we have a tree cut down we ask for a few tree cookies (1-2 inch rounds) be cut from the trunk. the kids think of lots of things to do with these cookies. You can also keep your eye out for trees that have been cut down and ask if you can cut a cookie or two. I don’t pay for anything I don’t have to.
Love your ideas. I’m going to the dollar stare and check out those bird houses.
Great tips!I know the children will benefit from it!Thanks!♡
l Love all your ideas ! Thank You
I absolutely love your ideas. I think you are amazing and very creative. Thank you for all you do and your help.
Sincerely,
Kim
I love the idea about putting bugs in the “Construction Center.” Students can build homes for the bugs. I wish I could pull out the wooden blocks from the closet, but they are too heavy. We use the foam blocks.
Thank you for the great ideas! My pre-k students will love them! I really like the bird house idea.
For bug centers, I go to bait shops and buy 50 crickets. Place these in an aquarium and make home with wire tops, purchased at fish or pet stores. They eat Whole potatoes, cut into. Add water in a mason jar lid.
Thank you so much karen for your wonderful ideas.
Thanks for these great ideas. Very helpful .
I love all the ideas. I am on the hunt for birdhouses. Thanks for all the great ideas.
Love these simple yet wonderful ideas for the block center. Thanks a million for sharing! ?
I LOVE the idea of adding the birdhouses! Thanks so much!
Thanks Karen! Love these ideas to create interest for those who haven’t played in the block centre for a while.
Thanks for sharing