🌸 31 Ways to Savor Spring One Day at a Time 🌸

May is finally here, and I’m so ready to lean into spring. The sun is up longer, the flowers are blooming, and there’s this buzzing energy that makes everything feel possible again. To celebrate all this fresh air, warmth, and joy – I've created a May Bucket List to connect with nature, family, and fun.

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Here’s to making May wonderful!

'The Earth Laughs in Flowers' - Emerson

🌷 May - a month for blooming

1. Celebrate May Day! May Day (May 1st) is a centuries-old celebration of spring. Many cultures mark it with flowers, music, and community fun. Head to a local May Day festival if your town has one, and join the tradition of the May Pole Dance—participants weave ribbons around a tall pole while dancing in a circle. It’s whimsical, joyful, and a festive way to welcome the season.

2. Start your seed starters indoors. I’m kicking off my gardening season with cherry tomatoes and Forget-me-nots using a peat pot starter kit right on my kitchen windowsill. Pick your favorites—herbs, veggies, or flowers—and get them started indoors. I find it deeply satisfying to nurture something from seed to sprout.

3. Paint garden markers. Grab some smooth rocks, acrylic paint, and brushes to create cute and practical garden markers. You can label your lettuce, beans, and basil—or just add some garden gnomes and sunshine faces to make your outdoor space more whimsical!

4. Host a “May the Fourth” Tea Party. Gather your fellow Star Wars fans, throw together your Princess Leia buns, and enjoy a themed tea party complete with galaxy cupcakes, Yoda soda, and a movie marathon. Bonus points for costumes and lightsaber spoons!

5. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo! Head out with friends for tacos and margaritas at your favorite Mexican spot, or host your own fiesta at home with a DIY nacho bar, Mexican street corn, and a playlist full of Latin beats.

6. Mini golf or the real deal. Plan a mini golf date and channel your inner Happy Gilmore. Feeling brave? Rent a golf cart and try a few holes at a real course. Whether you’re sinking holes-in-one or missing entirely, it’s guaranteed fun.

7. Visit your local farmer’s market. Spring markets are full of color and life. Create a little sampler basket—grab some tulips, local honey, fresh bread, and a handmade soap or two. Meet the makers and feel the love that goes into local goods.

8. Play in the puddles. Don’t rush indoors when it rains—throw on your boots and let yourself splash, dance, and get messy. It’s a simple way to reconnect with your inner child and shake off some stress, just remember to head indoors when you hear thunder.

9. Visit a wildlife sanctuary. In Minnesota, we love Fawn-Doe-Rosa, a hands-on wildlife sanctuary in St. Croix Falls, WI. Unlike zoos, sanctuaries focus on natural rehabilitation and more open habitats. At Fawn-Doe-Rosa, you can hand-feed deer, pet goats, and meet foxes and porcupines up close. It’s both educational and magical.

10. Take a skip day. Play hooky! Take a day off work or school just to relax or go on a spontaneous adventure. Read in a hammock, bake cookies, visit the lake, or just nap—whatever fills your cup.

11. Celebrate Mother’s Day. This year, my family is treating me to a comedy show after a well-deserved pedicure. Celebrate your mom (or yourself!) with something special—whether it’s brunch, a concert, or just a quiet walk together.

12. See live music and dance it out. Support a local band or outdoor concert series. Let the rhythm move you, dance like nobody’s watching, and feel the collective joy of live music alone or with your friends.

13. Volunteer at your library. Give back by helping with book shelving or story time, then treat yourself to some spring-themed reads. I love grabbing books on homemaking, gardening, or intentional living during this season.

14. Chalk your block. Grab colorful sidewalk chalk and brighten up the neighborhood with silly jokes, positive affirmations, and spring florals. Sip on sparkling lemonade while you work!

15. Read empowering nonfiction. This month’s picks:📘 Untamed by Glennon Doyle📘 The Lightmaker’s Manifesto by Karen Walrond📘 Wintering by Katherine May

16. Host a cousins’ sleepover. Cousins make the best friends. Plan a pizza and pajama night with crafts, old-school board games, and maybe a backyard tent if the weather cooperates, or a movie marathon if it doesn't!

17. Reserve your summer camping trips. Book your spots now! I recommend these MN gems:🏕 Jay Cooke State Park, 🏕 Gooseberry Falls🏕 Itasca State Park. Pro tip: MN state parks fill fast—get your reservations in early!

18. Steakhouse dinner date. Make it a date night and splurge on that filet mignon or lobster mac. Head out to that overspriced place you've wondered about, or if you're a rockstar in the kitchen, stay in, light a candle, put on something nice, and celebrate with your tastebuds.

19. Go on a long hike with your pups. Pick a trail with lots of spring blooms and pack snacks for both you and your furry friends. Don’t forget a water bottle and some good shoes!

20. Build a sensory garden. Sensory gardens engage smell, sight, touch, and even taste. Add fuzzy lamb’s ear, fragrant lavender, herbs like mint or basil, and a small water feature if possible. Even a few pots on a balcony can make a calming oasis.

21. Mother/daughter photo shoot. Recreate an old childhood photo together—it’s both nostalgic and hilarious. Bonus: You’ll cherish the updated memory forever.

22. Start meditating. Ten minutes a day can change your life. I recommend the Daily Calm on YouTube—it’s a gentle, guided entry into mindfulness.

23. Planter painting party! Gather friends, paints, and snacks. Include small terracotta pots, trays for butterfly feeders, and maybe encourage a flower seed exchange too?

24. Take a community class. Check your local community ed listings—classes often include sewing, mending, creative writing, personal finance, yoga, music, and dance! It’s a fun way to grow skills and meet new people - heck, maybe you'd like to host a class!

25. Make Tanghulu. Try this simple Chinese candied fruit recipe, so delish:

• Skewer green grapes

• Heat 1 cup sugar + ½ cup water to 300°F

• Dip fruit quickly and place on parchment to hardenIt’s sweet, crunchy, and addicting.

26. Host a Memorial Day BBQ. Grill up some burgers, boil some corn on the cob, and munch on some watermelon slices. Add lawn games like cornhole or ladder toss, and maybe a patriotic or country playlist to keep everyone's spirits high.

27. Rent outdoor gear from a university. Many college campuses (even for non-students!) rent kayaks, camping gear, and paddleboards for cheap. Call their rec center or outdoor program to check what’s available. It's an amazing resource hub!

28. DIY body scrubs and bath bombs. Simple sugar scrub for your spring refresh:

• 1 cup sugar

• ½ cup olive oil

• 10 drops of essential oilFor bath bombs: mix baking soda, citric acid, cornstarch, oil, and your favorite scent. Pampering at its finest.

29. Write a letter. Send some snail mail love. Whether it’s a heartfelt update, a silly doodle, or a handmade card—it’ll make someone’s day (and yours).

30. Refresh your houseplants. Give your green babies some TLC. Repot with fresh soil, trim dead leaves, and add a gentle fertilizer. They’ll thank you with new growth!

31. Lawn games day! End the month with outdoor fun—frisbee, basketball, badminton, or a good ol’ water balloon fight. Invite friends or just your household and enjoy the light-heartedness of old-fashioned screen-free fun.

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That’s a wrap on May!

I hope this list brings some sunshine into your month. Whether you do every single day or just pick a handful, these ideas are all about savoring the season and finding joy in small, beautiful things.

If you try any of these, tag me or comment below—I’d love to see what you're up to!

With warmth and wildflowers, until next time. 🌿