I know in the Midwest, the arrival of Spring is a breath of fresh air. Therapeutic spring activities embrace the spirit of hope, renewal, and rebirth. 

And, well, we need it more than ever.

It’s been a little over a year since the COVID-19 global pandemic completely disrupted our lives. To say the least, it’s been a year we will never forget. For most of us, it’s probably felt like 10 years.

But we stayed strong. We adapted. It wasn’t easy. Through it all…well, we’re making history.

Your perseverance as a professional is appreciated by those you serve. As we begin to see the glimmer of dawn during this dark time, we can use hope and positivity to see the silver linings in clouds that have been looming for way too long.  

Moving Forward with Therapeutic Spring Activities

Let’s create a twist on some fairly common spring activity ideas to add a much needed therapeutic boost as we enter this new season.

Here are some simple activity ideas I hope you and your participants will enjoy.  

Bulletin Board Flower Garden

Not every facility has the luxury of an outdoor garden. Why should that keep your participants from the thrill of nature’s rebirth? There’s plenty of ways to make flower crafts–tissue paper, construction paper, stencils, sponge painting, etc.

Use your favorite flower craft activity or check out this flower activity idea I found.

Make the activity therapeutic: On the flowers, have the participants write a positive message, what they’re most looking forward to this spring, or a favorite spring activity. 

Attach the flower crafts to the bulletin board. You have an inspiring display everyone will enjoy!

Pick a Flower…And Share

With some popsicle sticks, construction paper, and a flower pot, you can create an activity that gets your participants talking. And it is completely customizable.

How to do it: Have your participants cut out some flower shapes with construction paper. Attach those shapes to a popsicle stick. Put the popsicle sticks into a small flower pot.

Make the activity therapeutic: On each popsicle stick, write some talking points you want to address in a leisure education or therapy group. 

This can include subjects like:

• Gratitude
• Social skills
• Leisure interests
• “My Favorites”
• Movement exercises

For example, if addressing leisure interests the popsicle sticks can have prompts like:

• My favorite activities on a rainy day
• The activity I miss doing the most
• Ways to relax
• My favorite exercise
• What I love doing outdoors
• Things to do in nature

Dot Flowers

Have some extra bingo blotters and paper plates? 

This activity is simple! Have your participants blot the outer edge of a paper plate with one color. Then continue to make smaller circles with different color blotters until the paper plate is filled with spring colors.

Check out an example of this activity.

Make the activity therapeutic: Along each ring of color, have participants list things that are important to them. 

Categories can include:

• Important people in my life
• The benefits I get from recreation
• Positive things about myself
• Things that make me feel good 

Rain Cloud Gravity Painting

April showers bring May flowers. As I write this post, rain is pelting on my roof–and it’s not even April.

Get some thick paper like cardstock. On the top of the paper, glue some cotton balls to make a giant cloud. Now prop the paper up on an easel, clipboard, or empty binder.

Mix some liquid watercolors with a little extra water. Using an eye dropper, have the participant drip the paint mixture just below the cotton ball clouds. Then let gravity do the work. 

The end product will look like rain falling from the clouds. Check out an example.

Make the activity therapeutic: A lot of people are dealing with anxiety these days. And, chances are your participants have their fair share of it. 

Near the cloud, have the participant write a big worry they have. Next, at the bottom of the page, have them write activities or self-talk may help ease this worry. 

Explain that what they write are seeds. Worry is a natural part of life–and an opportunity to grow. The self-talk and activities they listed are seeds to address anxiety positively and grow from it. 

Want another idea? Check out my starting seeds indoors post.

Have Favorite Therapeutic Spring Activities?

Share it!

We are a community. Our ideas and experiences are meant to be shared so, as professionals, we can learn, grow, and better serve our participants.

Comment below or post something on the Facebook Real Recreation Therapist page or Real Recreation Therapist Facebook group. 

Searching for more inspiration? I added the activities mentioned above to my RT Pinterest board (as well as a couple others).  

Find this article helpful? Got a minute? Then please spread the word. Sharing this post to your favorite social media platforms gives others a chance to explore new activity ideas. 

Want TRRT in your Inbox?

Last year was incredibly busy. As you may know, I wrote a book, Therapy Games for Teens, and, along with the joyful arrival of  my second son and other writing work, the TRRT page updates were sporadic. 

As my little guy is starting to sleep through the night (thankfully), I am looking into new, helpful ways to reach RTs and other health care professionals. I plan on creating a weekly newsletter with some ideas, tips, and advice. 

Be sure to subscribe…just scroll down a bit more and fill out the easy form. Your email is safe…I’m not selling lists and I’m not going to spam you. Just going to send out a short newsletter with whatever thoughts come to mind.

I wish you all a happy Spring and continued health and growth.