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Spring shows up and suddenly everyone wants to be outside doing something. The problem is most people just stare at the calendar and never actually plan anything, lol!
That’s the biggest mistake this time of year. You wait for the perfect free weekend that never comes. The whole season slips by while you’re still in sweater weather mode.
This list fixes that! Scrolled through way too many pins looking for ideas that are actually doable on a normal weekend, not just pretty photos that require a professional florist.
Everything below is budget friendly and realistic for a regular front yard or a Tuesday afternoon. No fancy equipment required, just a little sunshine and some motivation!
Below you’ll find fifteen ideas split between cozy indoor projects and full outdoor adventures. Under each one details are added that you actually want, plus a link to the full how-to.
Wondering where to even start with your spring bucket list activities? Pick a few, print this out, tape it to the fridge.
Consider this your permission to finally get outside, haha!
SPRING THINGS TO DO LIST
Bake Fresh Strawberry Shortcake
We’re starting off strong with fresh strawberry shortcake since nothing says spring quite like it. People beg her for the recipe every time and she never gives up the whole thing, lol!
Fold whipped cream into biscuit halves then pile the berries high. The juice soaks in just enough without turning it soggy.
A splash of lemon zest in the whipped cream makes it taste even better!
- Berries do all the work here
- Ready in under an hour
- Fresh whipped cream beats the tub kind
Press Wildflowers In Books
Pressing wildflowers in books sounds old fashioned but it’s oddly satisfying. Grab a heavy dictionary nobody reads anymore and get to work.
Layer the flowers between wax paper before closing the pages. Two weeks later you’ve got tiny bits of spring saved.
She still checks on them like they might wilt!
- Patience pays off on this one
- Uses books already on the shelf
- Takes two weeks to fully press
Decorate Easter Sugar Cookies
Decorating Easter sugar cookies is basically a rite of passage every spring. The icing gets messier every year at my house and honestly, that’s part of the fun, haha!
Royal icing holds its shape best for the little bunny and egg details. Let each color dry completely before adding the next or everything bleeds together.
A toothpick works wonders for fixing tiny mistakes before they dry!
- Messy icing still tastes perfect
- Royal icing dries hard overnight
- Kids can help with the sprinkles
Create A Spring Wreath
A spring wreath instantly changes how the whole front door feels. Don’t you just love an easy transformation? Grab a grapevine base from the craft aisle since it is cheap and already shaped right.
Wire on silk tulips and greenery in clusters instead of spacing them evenly. It looks fuller and way less store bought that way!
- The grapevine base does the heavy lifting
- Craft aisle grapevine works great
- No glue gun required
Try Pastel Watercolor Painting
Pastel watercolor painting is the most relaxing thing on this whole list. My kit cost about six dollars and it still works fine three springs later.
Wet the paper first so the colors bleed into each other softly. Tulips and cherry blossoms are the easiest thing to attempt if you’re nervous!
Who doesn’t love an activity that costs less than a coffee run?
Refresh Front Porch Decor
Refreshing the front porch is such a small job with a huge payoff. My mums are already dying by June, but the first two weeks look amazing.
Swap the winter wreath, wipe down the furniture, add a cushion in a cheerful print. Suddenly it looks like it belongs on a magazine cover, lol!
Visit A Tulip Farm
A tulip farm visit belongs at the top of any this bucket list activities plan, no question. My camera roll fills up fast and the photos still never do it justice.
Most farms let you cut your own bunch for a few dollars. Go early on a weekday if you want the rows to yourself!
How pretty do those endless color rows look in person?
Fly Colorful Kites Together
Flying colorful kites together sounds childish until you’re actually out there laughing at how badly yours is doing. It’s been years, haha!
Pick an open field with steady wind, nothing gusty or blocked by trees. Diamond kites are the easiest for beginners to launch solo.
Attend Local Farmers Market
Attending the local farmers market is a great way to spend a slow Saturday morning. My cart always ends up heavier than planned since every stall has something new to try.
Bring cash since not every vendor takes cards. Get there early for the good strawberries before they sell out!
Am I the only one who always forgets a reusable bag?
Pack A Picnic Basket
Packing a picnic basket is the easiest way to turn a plain afternoon into an event. Cheese, crackers, a few grapes and a blanket, that’s really the whole plan.
This is one of my favorite sunny day activities ideas because it costs almost nothing. It works anywhere with a patch of grass.
My blanket never comes home clean, but that is honestly half the fun!
Set Up Backyard Slip Slide
Setting up a backyard slip slide is pure chaos and pure joy. My yard turns into a swamp for an hour. Somehow that’s the best part!
Lay it on a slight slope for the best speed. The neighborhood kids will find it within the hour, guaranteed!
Who needs a water park when the driveway works just as well, lol!
- The hose does most of the work
- Runs on a hose and dish soap
- Ready in about ten minutes
Ride Bikes Along Trail
Riding bikes along a trail is such an underrated way to actually see spring happen. My route changes color almost weekly once things really get going.
Pick a flat trail if it’s been a while since you rode. Bring water since shade is spotty on most paths early in the season!
Go Birdwatching With Binoculars
Birdwatching with binoculars sounds slow until you actually spot something. Robins show up first, then warblers once things warm up properly.
My binoculars came from a thrift store for four dollars and work just fine. No need to buy the expensive ones just to test the hobby.
This is one of the calmest outdoor spring activities ideas on the whole list, honestly!
Hike A Blooming Trail
Hiking a blooming trail is worth the early alarm. Wildflowers pop along the path in waves. The smell alone is worth the trip.
My shoes come home ruined every single spring and I still never learn. Bring a small trash bag too since litter tends to pile up after busy weekends.
How cute is it when you spot the first trail flowers of the season?
Wash Car In Driveway
Last but definitely not least, washing the car in the driveway is the most classic spring chore turned activity. Bubbles everywhere, a hose fight that always breaks out, sunshine on your back!
Use a bucket with a grit guard so you’re not scratching the paint with dirt. Not that I’m particular about my car, haha!
It’s such a simple thing but it always feels like the season officially started, same!
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Isabella
