It’s the last days of March as I write and we’ve had all sorts of weather in Scotland, with Spring pretty late to the party this year – but finally it feels like it’s making an appearance. 🥳
Whatever the weather, the days are getting longer and it’s definitely time to start planning some springtime activities for the weekends of April.
It’s time to start spending more time outdoors, getting your outside space spruced up and ready for warmer weather, going on some gentle springtime adventures, opening the windows wide on a sunny morning, dodging those April showers (and April fools pranks), and watching the world turn greener.
If you’re looking for inspiration, here are some ideas for things you could do on an April weekend.
Cheer Up Your Inbox
Brighten up your inbox by subscribing to the newsletter. No pressure. And no spam.
Almost The Weekend is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this site, I may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ideas for an April Weekend
Here are some simple, fun ideas for things to do during the weekends this April, all designed to do either at home or out in the fresh air.
1. Springtime Home Refresh
Our homes deserve a little love after a long winter. With longer days and more natural light streaming in, it’s the perfect time for a refresh.
Spring Cleaning Blitz – If you spring cleaned your house in March then enjoy the feeling! If not, then don’t fear. You don’t need to keep putting it off because you’re dreading it. Here’s how to Spring Clean Your Home In a Weekend.
Tidy Up the Garden – Give your outdoor space a mini-makeover. Clean the patio, refresh plant pots with some spring colour, or add some solar-powered lights for a cosy vibe at dusk. Clean/repair/replace garden furniture as needed, put and maybe buy an outdoor rug. It’s also a good time to clean your barbecue, do some pruning/weeding, and power-wash patios and driveways to get rid of the winter dirt.
Plant Something New – April is great for planting! Use spring as an excuse to get green-fingered this month. Try sowing lily bulbs in pots, or have a go at growing strawberry plants for a summer crop of your very own.
Pack Away Winter Clothes – Say goodbye to heavy coats, scarves, and boots. Time to make space for lighter layers and (hopefully) sunnier days.
Get Ready for Easter
Easter is right around the corner, and if you love a bit of seasonal festivity then now is the time to get into it.
Decorate with Natural Touches – Gather some branches from the garden, pop them in a jug or vase, and hang Easter egg decorations for an effortless seasonal centrepiece. You don’t need to go all out with Easter decor, but adding a few small touches can make your home feel fresh and spring-like.
Do Some Easter Baking – Most years I make simple Easter bunny shaped cookies or a basic vanilla cake decorated with chocolate mini eggs. This time I’m planning to repeat the success of last year’s really indulgent Cadbury Creme Egg Scotch Eggs. They’re a slightly crazy treat but are actually very simple to make.
Too Much Chocolate? – If you’ve overindulged (who hasn’t?), repurpose leftover chocolate into the icing for an easy chocolate cake or melt it into a dreamy hot chocolate for those still-chilly evenings.
Host an Easter Egg Hunt – Do your best Easter bunny impression and let the kids hunt for eggs around the house and garden with this Printable Easter Egg Hunt.
3. Enjoy the Great Outdoors
April weekends are perfect for getting outside and watching the world turn greener. Just remember to bring a raincoat—those April showers are always lurking.
Visit a Farmers’ Market – My local farmers’ market runs all year, but I never brave it in the colder months. Now is the perfect time to head out for some lovely seasonal produce if you have a farmers’ market nearby. Look out for fresh rhubarb, asparagus, and wild garlic to inspire your weekend meals.
Take a Woodland Walk – Take a long walk or bike ride in a woodland and enjoy all that new, much greener green space. Look out for blossoming trees, daffodils, and bluebells – and don’t forget to listen to the birdsong.
Go on a Spring Scavenger Hunt – Time to find all the signs of spring—baby animals, buds on trees, or the first butterflies of the season. Head out with the kids to your local woodland or country park and have a Spring Scavenger Hunt (free printable on this link).
Feed the Ducks – It’s the start of duckling hatching season, so you might spot some duck families out on the water if you live near a river or pond. Good options for feeding ducks are things like oats, peas or sweetcorn.
Have Your First Picnic of the Year – Pack up a basket, bring a blanket, and enjoy an al fresco lunch. Even if it’s still a bit chilly, that first outdoor meal is worth celebrating.
Find a Rainbow – April showers might be annoying, but they also bring rainbows. Keep your eyes on the skies and see if you can spot one. Bonus points if you can find the crock of gold at the end. Get your waterproofs on and go for a welly walk: splash in puddles, enjoy the fact it’s not snowing, and then head home for a mug of hot chocolate. And maybe a cupcake.
4. Come in From the Rain for Indoor Fun
If April showers turn into a full-on downpour, there are still plenty of ways to have a cosy and fun weekend indoors.
Watch the Birds – Attract birds to your garden with some bird food that’s appropriate for spring. To get a close-up view of your visitors, try a window bird feeder that attaches to the outside of a window. Don’t lose heart if no birds come for a few days or even a few weeks: it can take a bit of time for them to get used to a new feeding spot.
Have a Board Game Afternoon – Dig out old favourites or try something new. Our family favourite (gratefully discovered during Covid lockdowns) is Labyrinth.
Do Some Spring Cooking – It’s definitely time to cook some lighter food now the cold weather’s over. Try making some fresh, spring-inspired dishes, like this pasta primavera or spring tabbouleh. It’s also forced rhubarb season, so you could have a go at this rhubarb chutney.
Build a Den – Perfect for kids (or kids at heart). Make a fort with blankets and fairy lights and settle in for a movie night.
5. Indulge in Some Spring Self-Care
As nature refreshes itself, take the opportunity to refresh yourself too!
Get Moving Outdoors – Whether it’s a morning jog, a leisurely bike ride, or a Sunday stroll – take advantage of the milder, brighter weather to boost your mood. Time spent outdoors is never wasted.
Declutter Your Mind – Meditation, yoga or a long walk with no distractions can help clear your head at the end of a busy week.
Try a Spring Detox – Swap out heavy winter meals for fresh, vibrant foods that make you feel energised. Salads, spring soups, smoothies, and buddha bowls are all things to try.
Have a Seasonal Spa Day – Run a bath with floral-scented oils, try a homemade face mask with honey and yogurt, or just take a slow morning to relax.
April 22nd is Earth Day—a great excuse to give back to the planet and make small changes that help the environment.
Join a Local Clean-Up – See if there’s a litter-picking event happening near you, or just take a bag on your next walk and pick up any rubbish you see. It could be at the park, in the woods, or on your nearest beach. Every bit counts.
Start a Compost Bin – Reduce food waste and create nutrient-rich compost for your plants at the same time.
Reduce Your Plastic Use – Swap single-use plastics for reusable alternatives and see how much waste you can cut down on.
Plant a Tree or Wildflowers – Even a small planting effort can make a difference in supporting local wildlife and pollinators.
7. Get Inspired for Spring
Finally, embrace the spirit of the season with some spring-themed inspiration. Perfect for that weekend downtime.
Plan Your Summer Adventures – Start dreaming about summer trips, festivals, or fun weekend getaways.
Try a New Hobby – April is the perfect time to start something new—gardening, photography, sketching, cycling, or anything else you fancy trying.
I hope this post has given you some ideas for things you could do on an April weekend. April is full of potential, whether you’re getting out into nature, refreshing your home, or embracing seasonal traditions. If you have any favourite April activities, let me know in the comments!
Slowing down doesn’t mean skimping on the magic—it means making space for it. So this year, let go of the perfect Instagram festivities and embrace a slow and simple Christmas instead.
A big family Christmas can be equal parts heartwarming and hair-raising. You’re all crammed into one house, fuelled by booze, sugar, and the vague threat of a board game meltdown. Here’s how to survive – and maybe even enjoy yourself.
If you’re not feeling an excited buzz about the new year, you’re not alone. Don’t go overboard on the self-improvement resolutions if you’re not feeling it: instead, try being kind to yourself in January.
November’s here, bringing the transition from autumn to winter. As the days grow shorter and colder, it’s time to hunker down and dial up the cosy comforts of the season. Here’s ideas for things to do at the weekends in November.
Is your Christmas planning feeling a bit different? Here’s how to make the most of a Virtual Christmas with lots of ideas for online activities in Advent and Christmas Day.
4 Comments
I think we’re planning to do pretty much all of these over the next week. Fab list. X
Yep, this is a cookie notice. This website uses cookies to optimise your experience. You can read more about it in the links below.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
I think we’re planning to do pretty much all of these over the next week. Fab list. X
Thanks! Yep, we’re going to do them too. Definitely a case of make your own fun this year!
Great ideas, thanks for reminder🤝
Love these ideas! Spring is such a perfect time to reset and refresh yourself and your home for what’s to come.