Here are some fun ideas for springtime traditions from the OAMM staff families.

Spring is my favorite time of year. I love seeing nature come alive again, getting back out in the sun, eating the fresh new produce, and celebrating Easter with my family and church community. It seems everyone has their own way of celebrating this new season whether centered around religious activities, outdoor activities, or simply cooking with fresh produce again.

Lent and Easter Traditions

• Cook traditional Lenten foods such as pretzels (symbolizing praying hands) or hot cross buns (symbolizing the crucifixion on Good Friday).
• Dye Easter eggs with Kool-Aid.
• Make Resurrection Rolls for Easter morning breakfast.
• Countdown to Easter with a Lenten calendar or a paper chain.
• Set aside a special time each day to read or pray as a family or special quiet times to refresh your own spirit.

Spring Cleaning Traditions

• Pick a room that needs some attention and spend some time decluttering and freshening up the decor.
• Pack away your heavy sweaters, coats, and boots.
• Bring the outdoors in by opening the windows or cutting some flowers from the yard for a centerpiece.
• Give your home a fresh scent with homemade essential oil diffusers or homemade cleaning products.
• Focus on wellness and cleaning up your body with clean eating.

Outdoor Traditions

• Have a picnic, cookout, or just eat your regular dinner on the porch.
• Go for a walk after dinner now that the days are longer.
• Let the kids have some fun with water or sensory bins in the backyard.
• Blow bubbles, even if you don’t have kids. I promise it will make you smile.
• Take the kids on a nature scavenger hunt or a bug hunt.
• Plant a garden. You can even use your leftover eggshells for starting seeds. Have fun with it.

Spring Craft Traditions

• Create a unique, spring centerpiece like these blocks that spell spring inspired words or this edible spring centerpiece.
• Find ways to add some color to your home such as a spring wreath or Easter egg decorations.
• Create a colorful spring branch or flowers from recycled materials.
• Make spring themed finger puppets out of pipe cleaners (chicks, bunnies, birds, etc.).
• Work ahead on these “hand”-made flowers for mom or grandma.

Seasonal Eating Traditions

• Cook recipes that focus on your favorite spring produce.
• Go strawberry picking at a local farm and make freezer jam (traditional recipe and naturally sweetened recipe).
• Sign up for a local CSA.
• Visit your local farmer’s market.