After nearly a year of quarantines due to lockdown, many of us are ready to get out and enjoy the warming weather, and spring creeps around the corner. States are lessening their restrictions caused by the coronavirus and even getting rid of their mask mandates. Here are a few things you can do this spring:

• Spring Cleaning

While this does not really involve getting out of your house, you have probably collected a lot of clutter after primarily being home this year. Whip out your dusters, mops, and brooms and prepare for battle. Clean up the dust bunnies hidden behind your fridge. Wipe down your windows and then open them to allow the fresh air to come in. Clean out your gutters that have collected leaves and debris. Check your lint trap to ensure it is not clogged and to help prevent a fire. If you’re looking to spend some more time outdoors, pick a nice day to work on beautifying your yard. Mow the lawn, put out your Spring and Summer furniture, and enjoy a barbecue with your family.

• See A Movie

Many movie theaters have closed this year because they simply did not make enough money when lockdowns were put in place. If there is still a theater near you, support the movie business and take your family out to see a flick!

• Go To The Park

If you have little ones at home, they would probably love to spend some time sliding, running, and swinging their way around the park. Meet up with another family and let the kids play while the adults catch up and get some well-needed time together.

• Take Your Dogs For A Walk

It’s healthy for you and your dogs! Get them some exercise by planning out a route to walk and get moving! We’ve all done entirely too much sitting and lounging around this year. Be sure to check the asphalt before the walk. If it’s too hot for you to touch, it’s too hot for your dog’s sensitive paws.

• Go Out To Eat

Restaurants are now beginning to increase their capacity, and curfews are changing as COVID-19 restrictions become less strict. Go to your favorite restaurant and enjoy a meal that you do not have to cook yourself!

• Go Mushroom Picking

I am not sure if this applies to all areas of the country, but here in the Midwest, many people take their families on the hunt for Morel mushrooms as winter leaves and spring arrives. I never went searching for mushrooms until I moved to Michigan with my husband a few years ago. It has easily become something I look forward to doing every year. We venture off into the woods on his mother’s property, and we begin our hunt. It is a fun activity that gets you breathing in the fresh air and enjoying the warmer temperatures. You get a healthy treat afterward, too!

• Go Fishing

One of my favorite activities, once the weather gets nicer, is to go out and go fishing. There have been times I have asked my husband every day to come fishing with me. Much of our fishing is done at the shoreline of our favorite lake. We gather up some snacks, camping chairs, and fishing supplies and sit on the lake. We often make a competition out of it to see who can catch the most or the biggest fish.

• Go Camping

Camping has easily become something that I love doing as well, though I don’t get to do it often. It is a great way to bond with your family as the little ones learn their way around the do’s and don’ts of camping. Teach them how to safely build a fire and cook together over it. Bring some board games to do when they get tired of running around the campground. Enjoy some family time at night making smores and telling stories.

• Make Birdhouses

At nearly any craft store, you can find pre-made wooden birdhouses that you can paint together as a family. Or, if you’re feeling really creative, build one yourself! It is a great activity and can be done in the comfort of your home or yard. Gather up your picnic blankets and lunch supplies and paint outside and then hang your birdhouses once they’ve dried.

• Have A Yard Sale

This goes along with your spring cleaning! Any items you no longer want to take up space in your home can be put into the yard sale and hopefully sold. If it does not sell, you can bring it to be donated or take it to the junkyard. This gets some money out of your unwanted items and gets you enjoying some time in the sun!

No matter what you choose to do this spring, you are sure to enjoy some time outside and making new memories with your family and friends!

Featured Image by Jill Wellington, courtesy of Pixabay