Simple Spring Refresh: Family Edition

Can you feel it? Winter is starting to loosen its grip. Many of us are already seeing buds on trees. And though some of us still face snowy days ahead, the official first day of spring is only days away. Just like spring is nature’s time for renewal and reset, the season also offers us the perfect opportunity for a fresh start. It’s an invitation to refresh our homes, routines, and family time. Let us know if you try any of the ideas below!

Sense the Season

By March, we are more than ready to celebrate the beauty of the outdoors—the warmer temps, longer days, and those little green signs of life bursting forth under our feet and above our heads. Why not welcome spring with a special outing: a picnic in the park or a nature walk to sniff early blooms and spy birds’ nests. These activities are not only tactile ways to mark the transition of seasons, but also an opportunity to create cherished family moments (and photo ops!)

Consider hosting a “Spring Kickoff Dinner.” Prepare a meal featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients and invite everyone to share one thing they’re excited about for the upcoming season. Decorate the table with treasures gathered from your nature walk—arrange wildflowers like dandelions and delicate violets in a row of small vases or jars for a simple yet charming spring display. Get creative with the menu, incorporating some local fruits and vegetables if possible. Visit a local farmer’s market or find out what’s growing where you are this time of year. Who knows, maybe the kids will even be inspired to try a new vegetable!

Make a Seasonal Playlist

Create a family playlist with upbeat, spring-inspired songs. Let each family member contribute their favorites to set a new tone for the season, whether it’s classic springtime tunes, nature sounds, or inspirational songs that bring joy. You could pick a few key words such as “flower,” “sunshine” or “new,” and find songs with those words in the title. Does a family-favorite artist have a new album out? You could designate it the official album for spring and listen to it on repeat with no shame!

“Try Something New” Month

Using the theme of reNEWal, dedicate one month of spring to trying something new each week: a recipe, a new hobby, or exploring a different part of your city. Keep a journal or scrapbook to document the experiences. You could even attach things like menus, nature items, photos, or matchbooks. When we learn new things—whether as kids or adults— we learn more about ourselves in the process.

The Classic: Spring Cleaning

Cleaning need not be drudgery. It can be so satisfying and (dare we say) fun! A simple spring cleaning plan can help make the process feel more manageable. One effective approach is to focus on one area at a time, such as closets, toys, or kitchen spaces, rather than tackling everything at once. We love this printable list from Better Homes & Gardens that includes some overlooked tasks and spaces. And remember that family playlist we mentioned above? This is the perfect time to put it on, turn up the volume, and go to work! Make everyone tidy their designated area for the length of a few songs, or the entire playlist if you’re feeling really ambitious.

Declutter with the Whole Family

Organization for busy families doesn’t have to be complicated. By implementing small, consistent habits like designated decluttering days, seasonal storage swaps, and simple routines, families can create a home environment that feels fresh and functional. Decluttering together can actually be a rewarding and meaningful experience that teaches kids executive function and instills the value of generosity. Set up a “Keep, Donate, Toss” system and involve everyone in sorting through their belongings. To make it more engaging, turn it into a challenge. Who can fill their donation box the fastest? Who can find an item they forgot they had but still love?

Another great way to declutter is by implementing the “One-Year Rule.” If something hasn’t been used in the past year, it may be time to let it go. This method helps streamline possessions and keeps only the items that truly serve a purpose or bring joy. It’s also an opportunity for kids to learn that donations provide for underprivileged families and keep unwanted items out of landfills. The Salvation Army uses clothing and toy donations to support individuals and families in need through direct distribution or sales in thrift stores. They offer a variety of ways to donate your goods.

Once everything has been edited and cleaned, now encourage each family member to add something meaningful to their space. It could be a framed family photo, a small indoor plant, or a DIY piece of artwork. This helps shift the focus from just getting rid of things to intentionally curating a joyful space. Perhaps you reward the hard work with a “crafternoon” in which everyone makes a special piece of art for their space. Here are some colorful, spring-themed crafts we love.

We understand if you need some motivation to get started. Before you begin, why not get inspired with these home improvement programming picks streaming now on UP Faith & Family:

• Design Twins – Twin sisters Heidi and Heather launch an interior design business, Joyful Living, where they transform homes with creative, functional, and beautiful designs for families. To get their business off the ground, they and their husbands move their families into Heather’s home, where they manage life with seven kids under the age of six while growing their business and delivering stunning designs.

• Weekend Reno – In each episode of this series, designer Michelle Mawby and her team have one weekend to transform tired old cottages into a breath of fresh air. They pull out all the stops, revealing stunning fresh spaces that impress the owners.

Morning Light Reset

Adjust your family’s routine to maximize natural morning light exposure. Open the blinds as soon as you wake up, eat breakfast by a sunny window, or step outside for a few minutes to set a positive tone for the day. Studies actually show that exposure to natural light, especially in the morning, plays a significant role in enhancing mood and overall well-being.

April Showers…

Ok, so not every spring day is filled with sunshine. Rainy spring days offer their own kind of magic; they feel fresh and rejuvenating. Open the windows slightly to let in the scent of rain, brew a light herbal tea, and settle in with an uplifting book or a family-friendly movie. We recommend Love Stories in Sunflower Valley, in which romance blossoms between a young woman and a handsome writer as they research love stories for a newspaper in (rainy!) Seattle.

This is also a great time to engage in creative activities like painting, baking with seasonal fruits, or even setting up an indoor picnic with bright, spring-themed décor. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not just embrace the rain—pull on some rain boots and splash in puddles together!

Spring is a season of renewal, making it a great time to refocus on our homes, personal well-being, and family connection. By approaching spring with intention and creativity, families can embrace the season with a sense of possibility and anticipation.

Need some ideas for a new family movie to stream? Check out our favorite family-friendly movies and series. Stream anytime on UP Faith & Family. Start your 7-day free trial today.

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Melanie Gilbert owns Choral Communications and resides in Atlanta with her husband, daughter and two cats.