Spring is a magical season for preschoolers—colorful eggs, fluffy bunnies, and blooming flowers bring excitement and new learning opportunities. In special education preschool classrooms, spring-themed activities provide an excellent way to reinforce essential skills through hands-on, engaging experiences. By focusing on natural elements like baby animals, changing weather, and plant life, you can create meaningful learning moments that are inclusive for all students.

Inclusive Spring Celebrations in the Classroom

While Easter is often associated with springtime, it’s important to be mindful of inclusivity in the classroom. The Easter Bunny is a commercial symbol rather than a religious one, but since Easter is a recognized holiday, some families may or may not celebrate it. To keep the theme welcoming for all, consider calling it “Spring” or “Spring Animals” instead of Easter. However, if you work in a private school with religious affiliations, referring to Easter directly may be appropriate.

Regardless of how you name it, there are plenty of ways to incorporate spring-themed fun into your preschool special education classroom. Here are some engaging and accessible activities to try!

Inclusive Egg Hunt for All Learners

One of the most beloved springtime activities is an egg hunt! However, in a preschool special education setting, it’s important to ensure accessibility for all students. Here are some ways to make your egg hunt inclusive:

  • Use non-edible fillers – Not all students enjoy candy, and some may have food allergies. Instead, fill eggs with stickers, small toys, bubbles, or other fun trinkets from the dollar store.
  • Adapt for mobility impairments – Some students using wheelchairs or walkers may struggle to pick up eggs from the ground. Attach balloons to eggs or place them on tables and shelves at hand level so everyone can participate.
  • Provide visual supports – Use a visual schedule or social story to help students understand the steps of the egg hunt and what to expect.
  • Offer different sensory options – Some students may prefer to scoop eggs with a small basket or container rather than picking them up with their hands.

Spring-Themed Sensory Table

A sensory table is a fantastic way to provide tactile and exploratory learning opportunities. One of my favorite spring sensory bins included:

  • Fake grass or shredded green paper
  • Plastic eggs filled with small matching pieces (students matched them to a board or file folder activity)
  • Small toy chicks or bunnies
  • Scoops, tongs, and baskets for fine motor skill development

This bin encourages sensory play, language development, and social interaction in a low-pressure setting.

Spring-Themed Read Alouds

Reading books related to spring and baby animals is a great way to build vocabulary and comprehension skills. One of my favorite springtime read-alouds is Peter Rabbit, but I also love filling our classroom bookshelf with a variety of engaging stories. Some of my top picks include:

Pairing books with hands-on activities, like sequencing cards or simple crafts, helps reinforce learning and keeps students engaged.

Bringing Springtime Fun to Your Classroom

Spring is a time of renewal and growth, making it the perfect season to introduce fresh, engaging activities into your special education preschool classroom. Whether you’re hosting an adapted egg hunt, setting up a spring-themed sensory bin, or reading seasonal stories, these activities help build foundational skills in a fun and meaningful way. For even more Spring resources click HERE.

How do you celebrate spring in your classroom? Share your favorite activities in the comments!