Easter & Spring Wreath Crafts for Early Years

Easy Easter craft and spring outdoor learning activity for EYFS, nurseries and reception classrooms

Wreath making  combines creativity, fine motor development and exploration of the natural world, while remaining flexible enough to suit a range of ages and abilities.

If you are planning your seasonal provision and searching for an Easter craft for early years or a simple spring activity for EYFS, wreath making is a practical, low preparation option that lets children create beautiful art pieces to take home, as well as supporting several learning outcomes.

This blog brings together two approaches. A structured Easter wreath craft using classroom resources, written and created by Sophie from the PlayTrayDays on Instagram, and a more exploratory spring wreath activity using natural materials collected outdoors, created and written by Polly from MissGeyfs, also on Instagram. Both of these seasonal craft activities support key areas of the EYFS framework and can be used within adult led sessions or continuous provision.

What are the learning outcomes of wreath making activities?

Wreath activities are particularly effective in nursery and reception because they provide a clear starting point without limiting creativity. The circular base gives children structure, while the materials allow for individual expression.

From a learning perspective, these activities support:

• Fine motor development through grasping, placing and gluing
• Hand eye coordination and control
• Creative decision making through colour, pattern and arrangement
• Communication and language through discussion of materials and seasons
• Understanding the world through exploration of spring and Easter themes

Wreaths are also highly adaptable, making them suitable for mixed ability groups, seasons, topics and different learning environments.

Easter Wreath Craft for EYFS

This activity mainly uses arts and crafts materials you may already have in your cupboard to create a colourful, textured Easter display. It works well as a table top activity and can be revisited throughout the day as part of continuous provision.

What you’ll need:

• Polystyrene eggs (you can also use card if you are using cupboard essentials)
• Ready mixed paints, PlayTrayDays opted for pastel to create this wreath
• Cardboard wreath templates (pre cut or made using plates)
• Pastel shredded paper
• Spring feathers
• Easter chicks
• Easter sequins
• Ribbon
• PVA glue

These materials are commonly used across early years settings, making this a cost-effective and repeatable activity.

How to make an Easter wreath. You can view the step by step guide here on Instagram.

Step 1: Paint the eggs Begin by painting the polystyrene eggs using pastel paints. Encourage children to explore different colours, patterns and textures rather than aiming for uniform designs. This supports early mark making and creative confidence.

Step 2: Create the wreath base
Draw around a large plate and then a smaller plate inside to form a ring shape. Cut this out and paint it in a pastel colour to match the Easter theme.

Step 3: Build texture with shredded paper Once the base is dry, glue shredded paper along the bottom section of the wreath. This creates a soft base layer that children can build on.

Step 4: Add feathers Place pastel feathers into the shredded paper to introduce texture and sensory interest. This stage encourages children to explore how materials feel and behave.

Step 5: Position the eggs Add the painted eggs onto the wreath and secure with PVA glue. Allow children to choose placement independently, supporting spatial awareness and decision making.

Step 6: Add chicks Nestle small Easter chicks around the eggs to bring the design together and reinforce the seasonal theme.

Step 7: Decorate with sequins Add sequins for colour and detail. This stage supports precision and control as children place smaller items.

Step 8: Attach ribbon Finish by attaching a ribbon so the wreath can be displayed in the classroom or taken home.

The finished wreaths are always unique. Even younger children can complete this activity with minimal guidance, making it suitable for both adult-led sessions and independent exploration.

Spring Wreath Craft Using Natural Materials

This variation builds on outdoor learning and encourages children to explore seasonal change. It is ideal for forest school sessions, outdoor provision or spring walks, linking physical activity with creative outcomes. Polly, also known as Miss G EYFS shares lots of simple and impactful setups on her Instagram, which you can find here.

What you’ll need

• Cardboard wreath templates
• Glue sticks or PVA glue
• Collected natural materials such as flowers, petals and leaves

How to make a spring wreath

Step 1: Go on a spring walk Take children on a welly walk around your outdoor space or local area. Encourage them to look for signs of spring and collect flowers, petals and natural materials.

Step 2: Talk about what you find Pause to discuss the different flowers, colours and plants collected. This supports communication and language, while helping children understand seasonal change.

Step 3: Prepare the wreath base Provide each child with a wreath base and apply glue in sections so they can work gradually.

Step 4: Arrange natural materials Children place their collected flowers and petals onto the wreath, creating patterns or arranging colours. This supports creativity, problem solving and fine motor skills.

Step 5: Display the wreaths

Hang the finished wreaths in the classroom or outdoor area. This reinforces learning and creates a visual reminder of the activity.

This activity encourages children to connect with their environment and understand the changing seasons through a meaningful, visual and hands on approach.

Adapting these activities for different ages

Wreath crafts can easily be adapted for different ages, settings, themes and abilities. We have created a list of ideas of how you can adapt this activity for different ages with a few simple changes.

For younger children:

• Use pre-cut wreath bases
• Offer fewer materials to reduce overwhelm
• Focus on sticking and placing rather than detailed design

For older children:

• Introduce pattern making and symmetry
• Encourage more detailed arrangements
• Link to discussions about seasons, growth and change

For outdoor provision:

• Use only natural materials
• Incorporate mud kitchen or sensory play elements
• Extend into storytelling or role play

Continuous provision and planning ideas

Wreath making activities can be set up as part of continuous provision, allowing children to revisit and refine their work over time. Materials can be refreshed daily to maintain interest, and the activity can be linked to wider themes such as spring, Easter, growth and new life.

They also work well alongside:

• Spring storytelling
• Nature hunts
• Sensory trays
• Creative mark making activities

EYFS learning outcomes

Both activities support a range of EYFS areas:

• Physical Development through fine motor control and coordination
• Expressive Arts and Design through creative choices and use of materials
• Communication and Language through discussion and descriptive vocabulary
• Understanding the World through seasonal exploration and nature based learning
• PSED through independence, confidence and pride in finished work

Bringing seasonal learning together

Combining an Easter themed craft with a nature based Spring activity provides a balanced approach to seasonal learning. Children are able to explore both structured creative tasks and open ended outdoor experiences, helping to build a deeper understanding of the world around them.

If you are planning Easter activities for nursery or reception or looking to introduce more spring crafts into your EYFS provision, these wreath ideas offer a practical, engaging and developmentally appropriate solution that can be adapted to suit your setting.