May play ideas: Easy and fun activities your kids will love
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There’s something special about May: the warmth of summer feels just around the corner, but spring is still here, inviting us to slow down and enjoy its beauty. It’s the perfect time to step outside, explore, and bring a little bit of nature into our play.
My kids love using petals to make “playdough cookies”, painting rocks into tiny works of art, and turning simple sticks into magic wands. These little moments of play and creativity are what make our days feel lighter and more fun.
So this month, I used nature as the inspiration for our list of play ideas, and I can’t wait to share them with you!
May 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: Playdough creatures
This easy, open-ended activity sparks creativity and keeps little hands busy, making it perfect for a slow afternoon at home.
Materials
- playdough
- rolling pin
- nature items (sticks, leaves, petals, shells, etc)
Instructions
- To prepare this activity, go for a walk with the kids and invite them to collect nature items like sticks, rocks, petals, leaves, etc. You can also get lovely nature items from craft stores and add them to your kids’ collection.
- Set up all the nature items on a tray, and add playdough and a rolling pin.
- Invite the kids to get creative and make silly playdough creatures using the nature items.
CONNECT: DIY nature explorer kit
An easy way to get kids excited about exploring nature is to create a special nature explorer kit for them.
Using the explorer kit during hikes or nature walks is a lovely way to connect and spark interesting conversations.
Plus, it will encourage the kids to pay closer attention to the things around them and learn new things about plants and animals.
Here are some of the things you can use to create a nature explorer kit for your kids:
- small backpack or drawstring bag
- nature field guide for kids (our field guide is On the Nature Trail: What Will You Find?)
- binoculars
- nature explorer badge (here is how to create one)
- blank notebook to use during the walks for notes and drawings (plus pen and pencil)
- a plastic jar for the kids to use to collect small nature items
- compass
- flashlight (great for walks in the forest).
Based on your kids’ interests, here are some other things you can include:
- bug viewer
- small flower press
- take-along bird guide.
You can also add a nature scavenger hunt inside the kit to make the walk more fun for the kids. (You can find a printable scavenger hunt here.)
CREATE: Egg carton bugs
This simple craft turns leftover egg cartons into adorable little bugs, and it’s a great activity for siblings to enjoy together.
Materials
- egg cartons
- paint
- markers
- googly eyes
- craft pipe cleaners
Instructions
- Start by cutting out sections of the egg carton, depending on how big your bugs will be.
- Paint the egg carton to create the bugs (e.g, red for ladybugs, yellow for bees, etc).
- Once the paint dries, use markers to add details.
- Add the googly eyes on the head of the bugs and use pipe cleaners to add antennae and legs.
- Optional: Use colored paper to create wings and glue them on the bugs.
Bonus:
Ready to bring more joy and calm to your May? The Playful Moments Together guide is filled with ideas you’ll love! Grab it here.
FAMILY FUN: “How to” night
Turn your next family night into a fun learning experience!
Each family member gets to be the teacher, showing everyone how to do something new — like making pizza dough, folding a paper boat, or mastering a dance move.
Before the big night, ask everyone to prepare their mini “lesson” and gather any materials they’ll need. Keep each tutorial under 15 minutes, take turns sharing your skills, and enjoy discovering new talents together.
You might be surprised at what you learn!
More ways to bring joy to your May
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
⭐ Download your free poster here and keep it handy for when you need fresh ideas.
- The Playful Moments Together guide
Want to take the guesswork out of connecting with your kids?
The Playful Moments Together Guide gives you 25 engaging activities to help you spark creativity, encourage connection, and bring more joy to your days.
Includes printable activity cards — so you can build a go-to collection of fun ideas your kids will love!
⭐ Get the Playful Moments Together guide and make the most of this month together.
Bring more joy and connection to your May with playful moments your kids will love.
With easy, creative ideas, Playful Moments Together will help you make the days with your little ones a little easier and a lot more fun.
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!
