Things to do with the Kids this Spring Equinox
The Spring Equinox is also called the Vernal Equinox and is when day and night are roughly equal. It’s the halfway point between the winter solstice and the summer solstice. After the Spring equinox, the light increases a little every day, although the way up to the longest day of the summer solstice.
In the Northern hemisphere, the spring equinox is on Thursday the 19th and Friday the 20th March, depending on location. In the Southern hemisphere, this is the autumnal equinox. The spring equinox for the Southern hemisphere will be on Tuesday 22nd September.
The Spring Equinox is a great time to get kids involved with pagan activities, especially because for many of us, the weather is improving, and we can spend more time outdoors. Here are just a few ideas to try out with your kids. Tell us your own ideas in the comments or on our social media!
Visit a Farm
We are lucky enough to have an “Urban Farm” nearby, which means it’s just a very short trip out of the city to see farm animals and some incredible wildlife. At this time of year, there are plenty of lambs about, plus chicken, goats, cows, ducks and more. Some farms put events on at this time of year, everything from egg hunts to watching the animals get fed. It’s a great way for kids to start understanding the turn of the wheel of the year and the seasons in terms of other living creatures.
Tell Stories
Spring is about growth and creation. What’s your favourite creation story? Do you have a myth or a legend about a spring-related deity? Sharing these stories, myths, or legends is a way to bond as a family (or with friends) and to talk about your spirituality in an inclusive context.
Take a Walk
Of course, you can do this at any time of year. But in spring time, it’s great to look out for new leaves, flowers, even the first returning creatures like bees or (depending on the climate) butterflies. Little artists can take a sketch pad and pencils and draw their favourite things. Take some photos on your phone to keep as happy memories.
Dye Eggs
Eggs are more of an Easter thing (contrary to popular belief, Easter was not stolen from pagans!) but eggs are a great fertility and growth symbol, and strongly associated with the spring equinox. Some people celebrate the neopagan festival Ostara by sharing different kinds of eggs. Dying eggs is easy. You can boil them in a pan of water or food colouring, or use natural dyes:
- Turmeric = yellow
- Onion skin = orange
- Red (purple) cabbage = blue
- Beets = purple
- Spinach = green
Let us know if you have any other natural dye ideas! This link explains in more detail how to make and use natural egg dyes.
Plant Something
Get some seeds and spend time together planting them. Follow the instructions on the packer. If it’s still cold where you are, get some seeds that you can grow on a windowsill. Seeds to plant in March include:
- Sweet peas
- Aubergines (indoors)
- Celery (indoors)
- Peppers, hot and sweet (indoors)
- Tomatoes (indoors or under glass)
- Salad leaves (indoors or under glass)
- Beets
- Carrots
- Chives
- Parsley
- Peas
There are plenty more, these are just a few ideas to get you started. For older kids, you could see if they want to be involved in your ritual or spiritual celebration- just remember to always respect their decision and listen to any concerns they may have. Festival like the Spring Equinox/Ostara are a wonderful opportunity to let your kids ask questions about your faith or spiritual path and explain why it’s so important to you. Wishing you warmth this spring and throughout the year!
*Image via Unsplash.
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About the Author:
Mabh Savage is a Pagan author, poet and musician, as well as a freelance journalist.
She is the author of A Modern Celt: Seeking the Ancestors & Pagan Portals – Celtic Witchcraft: Modern Witchcraft Meets Celtic Ways.
