First Day of Spring: 20 Ways to Countdown

Even if it's still cold in your neck of the woods, bundle up and get out there! Take in the sights of winter before it's gone. Plus, it's fun to count the signs of spring.

Celebrate Dr. Seuss by seeing The Lorax (opens Friday!), reading a few favorite Dr. Seuss books or throwing party with Lorax themed crafts & snacks.
Read more at Tonya Staab

If it's still too cold to brave the zoo in your area, you can create your own! I think my kindergartner will love these paper stand-up animals.
Read more at First Palette

Even in the dead of winter, you can always blow bubbles! (Hint: they really do freeze.) It's always one of the first activities my girls turn to as the weather warms.

Well, first, you should stop by and say happy birthday to yours truly! Then, make your own sidewalk chalk and watch what your kids' imaginations will create.
Photo and tutorial via Oh My Handmade

We're still a long way from planting flowers and tending a garden, but it's time to start indoor seedlings for many vegetables such as peppers, onions and tomatoes. Basically, all my favorites!
Read more at The Garden Helper
Photo Credit: Flickr

Watch the wind pickup as spring approaches with your own windsock, made from toilet paper rolls. (Then, check out our 20 Amazing Things to Do with Toilet Paper Rolls.)
Read more at Domestic Goddesque

While you're waiting for real flowers to spring up, make a few of your own out of crêpe paper. I've made tissue paper flowers before, but whoa — who knew there were so many awesome designs?
Photo and tutorials via Martha Stewart

Pretzel buttons are most popular around Christmas with red & green M&Ms, but they're tasty all year long! I was planning to try pastel candies for spring, but I love this idea for Shamrocks. Not that they'd last until the 17th...
Photo and recipe via Once Upon a Dream

We love geocaching & letterboxing — it's a fun, frugal way to explore your area. Kids just love to be treasure hunters!
Photo Credit: Flickr

Kites are a fun spring tradition. This one is easily made from home using paper, a plastic grocery bag, and bamboo skewers. Yep, I have all that right here!
Photo and tutorial via Maya Made

Happy birthday, Juliette Lowe! Celebrate with great recipes featuring leftover Girl Scout cookies — you know, if you can keep yourself from eating the whole box in the first place. (Or, I know a couple girls who would love to sell you some more!)
Photo Credit: Flickr

I love s'mores. Love! But who says you have to wait for warmer weather? Check out these tasty indoor s'mores, featuring everybody's favorite marshmallow treats!
Photo and recipe via Eclectic Recipes

This is the perfect time of year for pinwheels. It's a simple paper project, and the wind will spin the kids' creations all day long.
Photo and tutorial via Create Studio

Skipping rope is a great way to burn off calories, so why not get started while it's still cool enough to keep you from sweating. Do kids still do jump rope chants? If not, I think it might be time to teach them!
Photo Credit: Flickr

This is just so cute! You can build a better leprechaun trap on the 16th, and see what you find on St. Patrick's Day!
Photo and tutorials via Family Fun

Green milk, rainbow pancakes, Lucky Charms — how will you celebrate St. Patrick's Day? Stay tuned to The New Home Ec all month long for crafts & projects for our favorite Irish holiday.
Photo and 40 St. Patrick's Day crafts via blog

Enjoy the sound of spring with your very own wind chimes. This homemade version is made from terra cotta pots and looks super cute!
Photo and tutorial via HGTV

Create fun spring treats and flower shapes with yummy fruit. It's a perfect taste of things to come as our gardens bloom.
Photo and recipes via Bakers Royale

Welcome spring with a little celebration of your own. A home tea party would be a fun way to make use of the crafts & treats you have made leading up to the big day. Cookies, fruit, tiny sandwiches — I just love a tea party!