24 Refreshing Ways to Celebrate the Arrival of Spring

These are our favorite ways to celebrate spring.

The arrival of spring is always a warm welcome as the winter blues are replaced with green grass, blooming flowers, and fresh air. The Better Homes & Gardens editors have put together a spring bucket list of our favorite things to inspire your springtime activities. As the weather warms up, spend time outdoors planting your spring garden or grab a book and read in the sunshine. We've also got plenty of pretty spring craft ideas that'll help you add a welcome pop of color to your home.

To get started, print our free bingo card and check off each activity as you go. If you need me, I'll be baking fresh bread, picking up a new craft hobby, and arranging fresh flowers.

flower bouquet wrapped in pretty paper for may day
Brie Passano

1. Arrange Flowers

While you're waiting for your garden to bloom, add fresh flowers to your grocery pick-up order to brighten up your living space. Pick up a prearranged bouquet, or grab a variety of flowers and use our tricks for arranging grocery store flowers to create your own bouquet. Bonus: A DIY bouquet makes a great May Day basket filler or Mother's Day gift.

2. Clean Out Closets

Spring cleaning doesn't have to be a daunting task! Start small by tackling a closet or two first: Our top closet organizing tips will walk you through the basics of what to keep, what to get rid of, and how to organize whatever is left in stylish storage bins (like this Better Homes & Gardens Fabric Cube Storage Bin, $10, Walmart).

3. Have a Backyard Picnic

Take advantage of the warmer weather by enjoying a happy hour in the sun. Place an order for pick-up at your favorite local restaurant and enjoy a picnic with friends in the fresh air. Plus, spending just 20 minutes outside can significantly lower stress levels, so this activity is sure to boost your mood after a long winter.

woman planting pink flowers into soil
Marty Baldwin

4. Plant Your Garden

Spring cleaning doesn't just apply to closets! Use our spring gardening checklist to clear out your garden (with this Better Homes & Gardens Stainless Steel 2-Piece Garden Tool Set, $13, Walmart) and prepare your flower beds for new blooms. Doing some basic trimming and pruning now will help your landscaping thrive well into the summer.

5. Learn to Crochet

They say April showers bring May flowers, but those rainy spring days are also a great opportunity to try a new hobby inside. Recent studies show that knitting and crocheting can actually help reduce depression and anxiety, so pick up a pair of crochet needles and learn to make an easy beginner project, such as this trendy temperature blanket.

finished pink tulip spring floral wreath
Brie Passano

6. Make a Spring Wreath

A rainy spring afternoon is also a great time to make a cheery front door decoration. Order faux flowers online to make a bright tulip wreath, or decorate for an at-home Easter celebration by making a clever carrot tulip wreath.

7. Decorate Cookies

Decorating cookies isn't just for Christmastime! Whip up a batch of sugar cookies and use cookie cutters to turn them into Easter eggs or St. Patrick's Day shamrocks. If decorating sugar cookies isn't your thing, choose one of our all-time favorite cookie recipes instead.

8. Read a Book Outside

As the weather warms up, grab a good book and settle down in a patch of sun. Pick up a traditional paper book (these are some of our current favorite reads) or go digital with an audio book or an online read.

Hummingbird cupcakes decorated bunny lamb
Blaine Moats

9. Bake Cupcakes

Whip up a batch of our delicious cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. Bonus points if you decorate them with Easter characters like bunnies and lambs!

10. Have a Family Movie Night

Skip the trip to the movie theater and host a family movie night in. Settle in for a marathon of all the classics, and don't forget the snacks! Our homemade caramel popcorn recipe is a staff favorite.

decorated easter eggs sitting in bowl
Brie Passano

11. Decorate Easter Eggs

If you need a fun craft for the kids to do inside on a rainy spring day, try making these oil-marbled Easter eggs. They're so easy to make, you probably have all the ingredients in your cabinet right now! A mixture of vegetable oil, food dye, and vinegar will give your eggs a gorgeous tie-dye look in minutes.

12. Start a Sewing Project

If you find extra fabric as you spring clean your craft closet, put it to good use by starting a spring sewing project. Choose one of our easy sewing projects, or try something a bit more advanced like our adorable six-pocket tote bag.

13. Set up a Compost Bin

Easter isn't the only spring holiday we're celebrating: Earth Day is April 22, and this year we'll be celebrating by implementing more sustainable habits at home. Spend the afternoon learning to use a compost bin (it's not as intimidating as it sounds) or stitch up a set of your own reusable paper towels, and you'll be on your way to being less wasteful already.

paper cup bunnies
Andy Lyons

14. Make an Easter Craft

Since the Easter holiday normally coincides with the beginning of the season, decorating Easter eggs is always a favorite springtime activity—but it's not the only seasonal craft you can make! When you're done dyeing eggs, make a fun Easter craft with the family, like a bright spring wreath or one of our 40+ Easter crafts for kids. You can even decorate an Easter tree with the family!

15. Bake Bread

Fire up the oven for an afternoon of baking in the kitchen. Make our mouthwatering banana bread recipe or try your hand at a loaf of homemade sourdough: Making your own starter takes a few days of prep, but we promise the finished product is worth it.

16. Make a Bird Feeder

Another must-have addition to your spring garden is a bird feeder, and it's surprisingly easy to make your own from a glass bottle and twine. Hang the feeder somewhere that's visible from your window, fill it with birdseed, and enjoy the views.

smashed flower colors in wooden frame
Brie Passano

17. Make Pounded Flower Art

They say April showers bring May flowers, and what better way to preserve them than by turning them into a gorgeous piece of DIY pounded flower art? Make your own colorful print by placing fresh flowers on a piece of heavy watercolor paper and using a hammer or mallet to transfer the pigment of the petals to the paper. Frame your creation (with this Better Homes & Gardens 5"x7" Gallery Picture Frame, $8, Walmart) for a polished finish. This is an easy way to enjoy the beauty of spring flowers all year.

18. Make DIY Bath Bombs

If you're looking for a smaller-scale project that can be done on a rainy day, try making your own bath bombs. Our recipe calls for essential oils and dried rose petals, which will make your next bubble bath smell amazing. Plus, you can order all the ingredients online.

19. Go Bird Watching

As you plant your spring garden, keep in mind that a diverse landscape can attract more songbirds to your yard. Once you've finished landscaping, you'll be able to start bird-watching from your window.

folding fabric over avocado side angle
Jacob Fox

20. Make Beeswax Wraps

Another way to celebrate Earth Day is by making your own beeswax wraps to use in place of plastic wraps or plastic sandwich bags. They're easy to make from beeswax and colorful fabric and can be reused for months: Just wipe them down with a damp cloth between uses.

21. Have an Outdoor Movie Night

You don't have to take a trip to the theater for a fun family movie night—and it's much less expensive to host a whole crew of friends and family in the backyard. Plus, it's easy to build your own outdoor movie screen for a backyard cinema date. All you need are a few PVC pipes and a white sheet; once the screen is assembled, pop the popcorn and press play.

ice pop sidewalk chalk four assorted chalk circles pavement
Courtesy of Alice and Lois

22. Draw with Sidewalk Chalk

Grab the kids and spend an afternoon writing sweet messages for neighbors to read as they take their springtime walks. To make the activity even more hands-on, try making your own sidewalk chalk or sidewalk paint.

23. Clean Your Garden Tools

Did you know your garden tools require yearly maintenance? Luckily, it's not hard to keep them in tip-top shape: Set aside a few minutes to sharpen your garden tools so they'll be ready when you start landscaping. If any of your tools need to be replaced, our garden editors say these 9 tools will make your life easier.

Caramel Apple Poke Cake
Blaine Moats

24. Try a New Recipe

After a long winter of soups and stews, spring is the perfect time to try a fresh new recipe. Make one of these delicious spring dinner recipes that will help you incorporate seasonal veggies and farmers market finds, or try a tasty new Easter bread recipe ahead of the big holiday brunch.

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