April has arrived. The novelty of Spring is wearing off, the weather is playing a cruel joke (sunshine one minute, hailstorm the next), and the kids are officially bouncing off the walls. You need ideas. And not just any ideas—you need stuff that will actually work.
I’ve been there. Standing in my kitchen, staring at a pile of half-dyed eggs and a four-year-old asking if we can “do the bunny thing again.” So, I put together this mega-list of 30 April activities. It’s a mix of outdoor adventures, Easter-specific chaos, and rainy-day sanity savers. Think of it as your survival guide.
Outdoor Adventures (For When the Sun Finally Shows Up)
Let’s kick things off with the great outdoors. We have to strike while the sun is shining, right? Here are a few ways to get that vitamin D and tire the kids out.
1. The Great Backyard Bug Hunt
Grab a magnifying glass and an empty jar. I’m telling you, watching a kid discover a roly-poly under a rock is pure gold. Just make sure you remind them we’re just visiting the bugs. We don’t need a jar full of dead insects in the garage. Learn from my mistakes. :/
2. Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course
Forget just drawing flowers. Map out an obstacle course on your driveway. Think: “Spin in a circle,” “Jump to the star,” “Do 5 frog leaps.” It gets them moving and thinking. Plus, you get to sip coffee and be the “official judge.”
3. Fly a Kite (The Cheater’s Version)
I love the idea of flying a kite. Actually getting one airborne? That’s a different story. If you struggle like I do, try one of those cheap, simple diamond kites. They actually catch the wind better. Pro tip: Run really, really fast.
4. Go on a Sound Scavenger Hunt
Instead of looking for things, listen for them. Can they hear a bird? A dog barking? A lawnmower? A plane? It’s a fun way to get them to be quiet for five minutes. I call that a win-win.
5. Plant a “Fairy” Garden
You don’t need a fancy plot of land. Grab a small pot, some soil, and a few small plants (succulents work great!). Let the kids decorate it with pebbles, twigs, and maybe a tiny store-bought fairy door. It’s a little project they can check on every day.
6. Puddle Jumping Championship
April showers bring… perfect puddles. Suit the kids up in their rain boots and raincoats and let them go to town. The goal? Find the biggest puddle. The rules? Get as muddy as humanly possible. You’re welcome.
7. Nature Bracelets
Wrap a piece of duct tape (sticky side out) around each kid’s wrist. As you go for a walk, they can stick tiny leaves, flower petals, and blades of grass to it. It’s nature’s bling, and it’s adorable.
8. Blow Bubbles (The Homemade Kind)
Store-bought bubbles are great until they spill in the car. Mix your own solution: 6 cups water, 1/2 cup dish soap, 1/2 cup corn syrup. It actually works better than the fancy stuff. IMO, the corn syrup is the secret weapon.
Easter-Themed Fun (Beyond the Candy)
Easter is obviously the headliner of April. Here’s how we lean into it without losing our minds.
9. Egg Decorating with a Twist
Dyeing kits are fine, but have you tried painting the eggs with acrylic paint pens? So much less mess, and the kids can get super detailed. We did this last year, and my son made an egg that looked like a minion. Pure art.
10. The Annual Egg Hunt (Make it Fair)
We all know the one kid who hogs all the eggs. To avoid the tears, assign each child a specific color to find. It’s a game-changer. “Okay, Lily, you’re looking for the blue eggs!” Instant peacekeeper.
11. Bunny Ears Headband Craft
All you need is a strip of paper/cardstock for the headband and two cut-out ear shapes. Let the kids glue cotton balls on the ears. It’s simple, cheap, and they can wear them for the rest of the week. You’ll be eating breakfast across from a bunny. Accept your fate.
12. “Exploding” Easter Eggs
Fill plastic eggs with baking soda. Hide them outside. Give the kids squirt bottles filled with white vinegar. When they find an egg, they drop it in a pan and watch it fizz. It’s a science experiment and an egg hunt all in one! Ever wondered why kids love vinegar so much? Me neither, but they do.
13. Read the Easter Story (or a Fun Version)
Depending on your family’s beliefs, this is a great time to read a book about the meaning of Easter. There are tons of beautifully illustrated books out there that explain the story in a way kids can actually understand. I always get a little verklempt, ngl.
14. Make Resurrection Rolls
These are a must-try. You need canned crescent rolls, large marshmallows, melted butter, cinnamon, and sugar. The marshmallow (Jesus) is dipped in butter and cinnamon (oils and spices), wrapped in the roll (the tomb), and baked. When you open the oven, the marshmallow is gone! It’s empty! The kids freak out every time.
15. Egg Carton Caterpillars
Before you recycle that egg carton, cut it in half lengthwise, paint it green, add pipe cleaner antennae, and googly eyes. It’s a classic for a reason. It’s also a great way to talk about how caterpillars turn into butterflies—a perfect symbol of Spring and new life.
16. Jelly Bean Taste Test Challenge
Buy a bag of generic jelly beans and a bag of name-brand ones (like Jelly Belly). Blindfold the kids (and yourself!) and see if you can guess the flavors. It’s hilarious to watch their faces when they get a weird one. Spoiler: The generic ones always taste like perfume and sadness.
Rainy Day Sanity Savers (Indoor Energy Burners)
It’s pouring outside, and you’re stuck inside. Here’s how to avoid cabin fever.
17. Fort Friday (or any day)
Push the couch cushions onto the floor. Drape blankets over the dining room chairs. This is non-negotiable. A fort must be built. Provide flashlights and snacks, and you won’t see them for at least an hour. FYI, the snacks always end up crushed into the carpet. Choose your battles.
18. Cardboard Box Creation Station
Remember that Amazon delivery? That box is now a spaceship. Or a car. Or a time machine. Give the kids markers, tape, and your permission to go nuts. It’s amazing what they can create when you just let them at it.
19. Indoor Bowling
Set up plastic water bottles or empty soda cans as pins. Use a soft ball (or a rolled-up sock) to bowl. It’s a great way to practice hand-eye coordination without breaking your favorite lamp.
20. The Floor is Lava (with a Twist)
This classic never gets old. But to make it last longer, add “safe zones” like pillows or couch cushions. The goal is to get from the kitchen to the bedroom without touching the floor. It’s surprisingly tiring.
21. Make Your Own Playdough
Mix 2 cups flour, 3/4 cup salt, 4 tsp cream of tartar, 2 cups warm water, and 2 Tbsp oil. Cook over medium heat until it forms a ball. Add food coloring. It smells way better than the store-bought stuff and keeps for months. IMO, this is a non-negotiable parenting skill.
22. Pillow Fight Championship
Set a timer for five minutes and let them go at it. The rules: no hitting in the face, and when the timer goes off, everyone stops. It’s a great way to get out the wiggles and giggles.
23. Sock Puppet Theater
Grab those lonely socks without a mate. Glue on some googly eyes and yarn for hair. Put on a show. The stories they come up with are absolutely unhinged, and I am here for it.
Creative & Low-Prep Ideas (For When You’re Busy)
Sometimes you just need something quick that doesn’t require a trip to the craft store. These are your go-tos.
24. Rainbow Collage
Give the kids an old magazine, some safety scissors, and a glue stick. Ask them to find and cut out things that are red, orange, yellow, etc., and glue them onto a piece of paper in a rainbow order. It’s great for color recognition and fine motor skills.
25. Cloud Watching
Lay a blanket in the backyard (or just look out the window) and lay down. Ask them what they see. “I see a dinosaur!” “I see a bunny!” It’s the cheapest form of entertainment there is.
26. Write a Letter to a Grandparent
Real mail is so exciting for kids. Have them draw a picture and dictate a letter to Grandma or Grandpa. It teaches gratitude and keeps those family bonds strong. Plus, grandparents love it.
27. Bake “Dirt” Cups
This is a no-bake treat that feels like a craft. Layer chocolate pudding, crushed Oreos (the “dirt”), and top it with a gummy worm. Let them do the crushing. It’s messy, but it’s worth it for the smiles.
28. Make a Bird Feeder
Spread peanut butter on a pinecone, roll it in birdseed, and hang it from a tree. It’s a simple activity that gives back as you watch the birds visit all month. Just make sure the peanut butter doesn’t have xylitol, which is toxic to birds.
29. Photo Scavenger Hunt
If your kids are old enough for a tablet or your phone, let them be the photographer. Give them a list of things to take a picture of: something red, something round, something shiny, a flower, a stick. It’s amazing to see the world through their lens.
30. Dance Party (The Ultimate Reset)
When all else fails, turn on the music. And I don’t mean kid’s songs. Put on something with a good beat (like Salsa or Motown) and just dance. It resets everyone’s mood—including yours. Trust me. You’ll feel silly for the first 30 seconds, and then you’ll feel great. 😀
Wrapping It Up
So there you have it. Thirty ways to survive—and actually enjoy—April with your kids. From muddy puddles to empty tombs, from baking soda explosions to sock puppet theaters, this month has so much potential for fun.
My biggest piece of advice? Pick the activities that sound fun to you. Your energy is contagious. If you’re having fun hiding those eggs or building that fort, they’ll have ten times more fun.
Now go forth and conquer April. And maybe hide a chocolate egg for yourself while you’re at it. You’ve earned it.
