March is a wonderful month for play-based learning. As winter transitions into spring, children naturally become curious about animals, nature, and seasonal celebrations.
This March play-based learning guide brings together hands-on activities for toddlers and preschoolers, including sensory play, crafts, early math, literacy activities, and pretend play.
These activities are inspired by the weekly themes inside the GoodnightFox Homeschool Planner and are designed to make learning through play simple and engaging.
Inside this guide you'll find:
Easter activities
Bug and butterfly play ideas
Bee-themed learning
St. Patrick's Day activities
This guide works whether you're homeschooling, supplementing preschool, or just looking for meaningful ways to keep toddlers busy at home.
Free Spring Printable Pack
Don’t forget to check out our free printable resource library for play-based learning activities, sensory play, and early literacy.
Download NowWeekly March Play-Based Learning Themes
Week 9: Easter Activities
Easter activities are perfect for early spring learning because they combine counting, science exploration, and creative play.
These activities support:
Counting and number recognition
Fine motor skills
Early science exploration
Vocabulary development
Examples of activities include:
Egg counting activities
Bunny crafts
Egg matching games
Easter sensory bins
Egg science experiments
Try these Easter activities:
These activities appear throughout the Easter week inside the Play School Planner.
And if you’re looking for Easter Basket Stuffer ideas, check out my list for 1 Year Olds, 2 Year Olds, and 3 Year Olds.
Week 10: Bugs & Butterflies
Spring is the perfect time to explore bugs and insects through hands-on play.
Bug-themed play supports:
Observation skills
Vocabulary development
Sorting and categorizing
Scientific curiosity
Activities include:
Bug discovery sensory bins
Butterfly life cycle activities
Caterpillar crafts
Bug sorting activities
Related activities:
Nature Walk Dress Up Dolls
These activities come from the Bugs & Butterflies unit in the planner.
Week 11: Bee Activities
Bee-themed learning combines science, nature, and creativity.
Bee activities support:
Counting and patterns
Nature awareness
Vocabulary building
Fine motor skills
Activities include:
Bee sensory bins
Honeycomb crafts
Pollination experiments
Bee-themed pretend play
Try these activities:
These activities are part of the Bee Keeper week inside the Homeschool Planner.
Week 12: St. Patrick's Day Activities
St. Patrick's Day activities are a playful way to explore colors, patterns, and early math concepts.
These activities support:
Counting
Sorting
Pattern recognition
Creative expression
Activities include:
Rainbow sensory play
Leprechaun crafts
Coin sorting
Rainbow art
Try these activities:
These activities appear throughout the St. Patrick's Day week in the planner.
Featured March Play Activity
One of the easiest ways to support learning this month is through sorting and matching activities.
These appear across every March theme:
Egg matching
Bug sorting
Bee vocabulary matching
Rainbow sorting
Matching activities support:
Early literacy
Math foundations
Fine motor development
They are easy to set up and adapt for different ages.
How March Fits Into a Play-Based Learning Rhythm
March activities follow a gentle daily rhythm:
Morning:
Math and counting play
Midday:
Sensory or science exploration
Afternoon:
Arts and crafts
Late Afternoon:
Literacy activities
This rhythm helps children stay engaged without becoming overwhelmed.
The full March plan is available inside the GoodnightFox Play School Planner
Why March is Ideal for Play-Based Learning
March is ideal for learning through play because children are naturally interested in:
Animals and insects
Nature
Colors and rainbows
Seasonal celebrations
These themes encourage curiosity and hands-on exploration.
