Emerging pussy willows at Split Rock Pond

Every March 1st, my three boys, my husband, and I begin our annual countdown to Spring. We keep a year-round journal to record all the changes we see around us, but Spring is the time of year when we have the most entries! We’ve kept this journal ever since we moved to the country, and we love to look back to previous years to see if we can predict the changes for the current year. For example, over the past five years, the Sandhill Cranes have arrived at our big pond on or around March 16. We saw our first Sandhill Crane yesterday – right on schedule! Hundreds of Robins usually grace our woods and yard on or around March 20 – we’re expecting them any day now!

We track the first sightings of birds we haven’t seen all winter – Blue Birds, Red-Winged Blackbirds, Brown-Headed Cowbirds, Swans, Sand Hill Cranes, etc. We track changes in our woods and plants; things like buds starting and the first flowers. We track animals we haven’t seen in a while, such as our deer and their new fawns – and later, racoons and their babies. We track the first sounds and sightings of the THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of frogs that live in our ponds and creeks. We track the dates of “ice out” on the ponds on our property and of the lakes down the road. We track the dates when the creeks start flowing again (we love to watch the “ice bergs” float down the creek).

This is an activity our entire family does together and it subtly encourages our boys to be aware of their surroundings. It allows them to practice their skills of observation; it creates anticipation as we each look forward to our favorite signs — like the tadpoles for my frog-fanatic son, and the baby deer for me. My boys become enthusiastic about writing, because they like to be the one to record an observation in our journal. And I like to see how their handwriting has improved from year-to-year!

We took a walk to the big pond the other day. The ice has pulled away from the edges and some of it has sunk to the bottom. As soon as we approached the pond, we saw a salamander swimming in the reeds, followed by a fish that swam through the cracks of ice, curious to see us, too! The first mosquito was spotted (and swatted) today. Several honey bees buzzed around my bright yellow boots, and the first grasshoppers played around our feet.

Soon the first skunks, bear, Killdeer, and snakes will arrive. And we can’t wait for the true smell of Spring – worms coming out of the freshly thawed soil! We sure love the anticipation of Spring!

No matter where you live, Spring brings change. It’s just up to you to notice these changes.

Make sure to read our article Signs of Spring for more ideas on how you can enjoy this time of year with your kids.

Get outside with your kids and enjoy all that Spring brings!

Enjoy Spring!

Want some fun products to help you make the most of Spring? Check out the list below!

• The Private Eye Curriculum – Look closely. See more. Think more. This lively introduction to The Private Eye program will propel you and your kids into the drama and wonder of looking closely at the world, thinking by analogy, changing scale and theorizing.


• My Nature Journal – A unique keepsake journal specifically designed to help children build a lasting personal connection to nature.


• Sharing Nature with Children – This book is full to the brim of ideas on how to enjoy nature with children!


• Kaufmann Guide to Insects – Identify the insects you see with this quality guide book.


• A Walk in the Woods – This quality coloring book helps kids identify and relate to the creatures around us.


• The Golden Guide Set – Classic field guides to help you identify animals, insects, birds, and more!


• DIY Nature Kaleidoscope – View found items in nature up close and in a different way by making your own refillable kaleidoscope!


• Translucent Megalens – View the small changes in nature with this handy magnifying glass.


• DuAll Box – A perfect container for observing nature up close!