Spring break is the perfect time to blend learning with play, and these spring break activities for elementary students do just that! Whether you’re a teacher prepping ideas to send home or looking for ways to keep your classroom buzzing before the break, this list is packed with fun, hands-on inspiration. From DIY crafts to STEM games and reading adventures, these activities spark creativity, build important skills, and help students stay engaged while having a blast. All are easy, budget-friendly, and designed with young learners in mind.
10 Spring Break Activities for Elementary Students
From outdoor adventures to printable games and STEM projects, these ideas will spark imagination, promote hands-on learning, and keep kids entertained during the break.
1. Spring Nature Scavenger Hunt
Get students outside and into discovery mode with a spring-themed nature scavenger hunt! This engaging activity helps kids explore their surroundings while building observation skills and an appreciation for the environment. It’s perfect for a sunny afternoon and can be done solo, in pairs, or as a group.
Download this Spring Break Nature Scavenger Hunt list for your kids!
Materials:
- Printed scavenger hunt list
- Pencil or marker
- Optional: magnifying glass, collection bag
How to Do:
- Create a list of spring-themed items to find (e.g., ladybug, clover, bird’s nest).
- Head outside to a park, backyard, or school garden.
- Ask students to check off each item they spot.
2. Spring-Themed Bingo
Turn vocabulary review into a festive classroom competition with Spring-Themed Bingo! This classic game gets a seasonal twist that keeps students alert, engaged, and excited to participate. It’s a great way to wind down a busy day or kick off spring break.
Use this “Spring Break Bingo” worksheet for vocabulary enrichment and fun review.
Materials:
- Printable bingo cards
- Spring-themed tokens or markers
How to Do:
- Distribute bingo cards with spring words or images.
- Call out items randomly and have students mark them.
- Celebrate a bingo with small rewards or group cheers.
3. DIY Bird Feeders
Tap into kids’ creativity and love for animals with this simple DIY bird feeder project. It’s a meaningful activity that connects students with nature and helps them feel empowered to support local wildlife. Plus, it’s a little messy—in the best way!
Materials:
- Toilet paper rolls or pinecones
- Peanut butter or shortening
- Birdseed
- String
How to Do:
- Spread peanut butter on rolls or pinecones.
- Roll them in birdseed.
- Tie a string and hang outdoors.
4. Spring-themed Story Writing Challenge
Spark storytelling magic in your students with a spring-themed writing challenge. Whether they’re dreaming up magical gardens or adventurous bunnies, this activity stretches their creativity and builds writing confidence. It’s a perfect project for quiet time or take-home enrichment.
Download this printable Spring Break Story Prompt template for your students!
Materials:
- Writing prompt list
- Paper or writing journals
How to Do:
- Provide fun prompts like “A bunny who wanted to fly” or “The secret of the garden.”
- Set a word count goal (e.g., 150 words).
- Let students illustrate their stories.
5. Egg Drop STEM Challenge
Want to add a little excitement to your spring break prep? The Egg Drop Challenge is an unforgettable experiment that turns students into engineers. They’ll love brainstorming, building, and testing their ideas—plus, it’s a great way to sneak in physics concepts!
Materials:
- Raw eggs
- Cotton balls, straws, tape, boxes, and other protective materials
How to Do:
- Students design containers to protect a raw egg.
- Drop eggs from a set height.
- Observe what worked and discuss.
6. Spring Break Journal
Help your students reflect, write, and unwind with this engaging Spring Break Journal activity! Designed for elementary students, this one-page visual journal encourages them to share their spring break experiences through simple drawings and short captions. Whether they traveled far or enjoyed a staycation, every child has a story to tell—and this activity helps them organize and celebrate it.
Download and print the “Spring Break Journal” worksheet to help your students reflect and reconnect after their time away from class.
Materials:
- Printable journal pages or notebooks
- Crayons or markers
How to Do:
- Hand out the worksheet when students return from break.
- Have them draw or write in each box:
- Where I went
- Who I saw
- What I ate
- How I had fun
- My favorite part
- Allow time for students to share with a partner or the class.
7. Plant a Mini Garden
Bring spring indoors—or to the school courtyard—by having students plant a mini garden. Whether it’s flowers, herbs, or beans, watching their plants grow fosters a sense of responsibility and sparks science learning in a natural way.
Materials:
- Small pots or cups
- Soil and seeds (e.g., herbs or flowers)
How to Do:
- Fill cups with soil and plant seeds.
- Teach students how to water and observe daily.
- Record growth with pictures or journals.
8. Spring Word Search or Crossword
Word puzzles are more than just fun—they boost memory, build vocabulary, and provide calm focus time. Add a spring spin and you’ve got the perfect printable activity for fast finishers or take-home enrichment.
Use this “Spring Word Search” worksheet for vocabulary practice with a seasonal twist.
Materials:
- Spring-themed word search or crossword printables
How to Do:
- Hand out puzzles as morning work or calm-down activities.
- Time them for a fun challenge.
- Review the words together.
9. DIY Nature Bookmark Making
Tap into your students’ creativity and love for nature with a DIY bookmark activity using real leaves or pressed flowers. This hands-on craft not only connects kids to the environment but also creates a functional keepsake they can use for reading. It’s a calming, mindful way to encourage artistic expression during spring break.
Materials:
- Pressed flowers or leaves
- Clear contact paper or laminating sheets
- Scissors, glue, hole punch
- Ribbon (optional)
How to do:
- Have students gather or use pre-pressed spring leaves/flowers.
- Arrange the natural elements on cardstock and seal with contact paper.
- Punch a hole and add a ribbon if desired.
10. Kindness Chain Project
Spring is a time of growth—what better way to celebrate than with a classroom kindness chain? Each link on the paper chain represents a student’s kind act or positive comment. It’s a feel-good spring break activity that promotes empathy, social-emotional development, and positive classroom culture.
Materials:
- Strips of colored paper
- Markers, tape, or glue
How to do:
- Ask students to write one act of kindness or a compliment per strip.
- Form links into a growing chain and display them in the classroom.
- Watch the chain grow daily and celebrate acts of kindness.
Final thoughts
Spring break doesn’t have to be a pause in learning—it’s an opportunity to reinforce skills through creativity, exploration, and fun. These spring break activities for elementary students are perfect for teachers who want to empower their students with memorable, skill-building experiences. Choose a few favorites, print your worksheets, and inspire curiosity all break long!
