Celebrating spring with tweens isn’t something normally done in the US, but since most of the country has had colder than normal temperatures, it feels necessary in  my family. We reside in Florida and feel like spring is never going to arrive. The official first day of spring is March 20th.

We usually start getting warmer weather in mid-February, or even earlier. It’s actually been in the 30′s here in the past few days and we’re going stir crazy. My daughter won’t have off from school for spring break until April, so it’s time to get ourselves out of the doldrums and pretend it’s spring by celebrating.

1. Make tissue paper flowers. There’s lots of ways to make these. Use your imagination or get a craft book for more details.  Make lots of them and put them around the house or one specific room.
2. Have an indoor picnic. Make it as authentic as possible with real picnic foods and with the scenery too. Use blanket or table cloth on the floor, be sure the blinds are open, spread around some fake bugs and add lots of pillows to feel comfy.
3. Make bird feeders and study a book about birds in your area. You can even go birding, just dress for the weather and don’t forget your binoculars.
4. Plan a hike or camping trip. Then do it when the weather is more spring-like.
5. Plant some plants. Get them started indoors and then move them outdoors when it’s safe to do so. You can even get some vegetable plants going.
6. Make donations. Spring cleaning isn’t fun, but when you let your tween know that you are going to fill a donation box, at least there’s a better purpose for it. Celebrate after with a pizza party.
7. Create t-shirts. Use a kit, fabric paint, or make tie die shirts. Get ready for short sleeve weather.
8. Make a fruit salad. Find the freshest fruit possible and make a huge salad to devour.
9. Write a poem or short story about spring. Use your imagination to create a masterpiece explaining why you love the spring season.
10. Talk sports. Into baseball, soccer, softball? Get information on your local teams, players and their schedules. Discuss, plan when you can see them, decide if you’re going to join a team.

How would you like to celebrate spring? Do you have a family tradition already?