March play ideas: Easy ways to connect and have fun
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my whole disclosure here.
March is here, and with it comes that in-between season — when winter still lingers, but the first hints of spring start to peek through.
The days feel a little longer, the air a little lighter, and there’s this quiet excitement for what’s ahead.
But let’s be honest — this time of year can also feel messy. One day, the sun is shining, and the kids are running outside; the next, you’re stuck indoors with restless energy bouncing off the walls.
That’s why I love having a handful of simple, low-prep play ideas ready to go — something fun for the rainy days, something creative for the afternoons when boredom strikes, and something easy to help us all reconnect, no matter how busy life gets.
This month, I’m sharing 4 playful ideas that are quick to set up, require minimal effort, and will bring more fun (and maybe a little more calm) into your days. Let’s dive in!
March play ideas: Easy activities to try with your kids this month
Each month, you’ll get four easy ideas:
- one for independent play (because sometimes we just need five minutes of quiet)
- one for connecting with your kids
- one for creative fun
- one for quality family time.
Think of it as a little toolkit to make your month more joyful and connected — without adding more to your to-do list.
These aren’t just activities — they’re little pockets of joy you can sprinkle into your month, no matter how busy it gets.
PLAY: Loose parts robot
Let your kids become inventors as they design their own one-of-a-kind robots using loose parts!
This open-ended activity sparks creativity and problem-solving while encouraging them to experiment, build, and bring their imaginative ideas to life.
Materials
- craft supplies (pom poms, mini clothespins, pipe cleaners, washi tape, dot stickers)
- wooden pieces, big clothespins, paper rolls
- eye stickers
- glue
Instructions
- Prepare a box of supplies that the kids can use to create their loose part robots. (You don’t need to have all the supplies mentioned above to set up the activity. You can use any craft supplies and recycled materials you already have at home.)
- Invite the kids to design “robots” using the loose parts in the box and any other materials they would like to add to their creations.
CONNECT: DIY board game
Get ready for a fun, creative challenge — design your own board game together!
This simple activity is all about teamwork, imagination, and plenty of laughs as you build the game, make up the rules, and then put it to the test for a fun family game night.
Materials
- big piece of paper
- drawing supplies
- colored paper
- dice
- glue
Instructions
- Invite the kids to create the game by gluing colored pieces of paper on the board and adding decorations and instructions on them (with your help). Try to keep the game simple so you can easily play it together.
- Then, create the game pieces by folding small pieces of paper and drawing a character (or symbol) on them. Once the game is ready, play it together and have fun!
If you don’t have a big piece of paper (we used a 12×12″ paper), you can create the board by using tape to connect two or four pieces of paper.
CREATE: Cardboard houses
Grab some cardboard and let the kids turn it into their own little neighborhood!
This fun, open-ended craft gives them the chance to decorate houses, add creative details, and even build a whole town if they want. It’s a simple way to spark imagination and keep little hands busy.
Materials
- cardboard
- colored paper
- washi tape
- drawing supplies
- glue
- (optional) glitter
Instructions
- Cut out some houses from cardboard.
- Prepare the supplies on a tray: pieces of colored paper, glitter, markers, oil pastels, paint sticks, washi tape, and glue.
- Invite the kids to use the supplies to decorate the houses.
Bonus idea: Encourage the kids to design the houses for an entire neighborhood, and even create other buildings like a school or a grocery store.
Bonus:
Want more quick & easy ideas for creative play? Playful Prompts gives you instant inspiration for the days when you just need something fun — fast! Grab it here.
FAMILY FUN: Short movie marathon
Some nights, a full-length movie feels like too much — but a collection of short, heartwarming, laugh-out-loud stories? Just right.
Grab some cozy blankets, pop the popcorn, and settle in for a short movie marathon with the Pixar Short Films Collection.
Each mini-movie is a little world of its own — some funny, some sweet, some that might just leave you misty-eyed.
The best part? With each story wrapping up in just a few minutes, there’s always time for just one more — until someone finally declares, ‘Okay, this is the last one!’
More ways to keep the fun going this month
Want even more ideas? Here are two fantastic resources to help you create happy moments with your kids — without extra stress.
- 25 Days of Play and Connection [poster]
Looking for quick, easy ideas to make your days more playful?
- 25 simple activities that spark creativity & connection
- Perfect for busy days when you need an instant idea
⭐ Grab your free poster here — so you always have a fun idea ready when you need it!
- The Playful Spring Guide
Want to take the guesswork out of planning fun, creative activities for your kids?
The Playful Spring Guide gives you 31 simple, engaging ideas designed to make playtime easy and stress-free — all with minimal prep and materials you can easily get.
The activity cards inside the guide will help you can build a go-to collection of screen-free, creative play ideas your kids will love!
⭐ Get the Playful Spring Guide and make this spring easy, fun, and playful for you and your kids!
Make springtime fun, easy, and playful with activities your kids will love.
With quick, creative ideas, the Playful Spring Guide helps you fill your child’s days with joy and connection – without the stress of planning.
Both resources are here to help you enjoy meaningful moments with your kids without adding extra stress to your day.
I’d love to hear which activities you try and how they bring joy to your home!
