Spring Traditions Around the World

I am part of a world-side, diverse group of bloggers called Multicultural Kid Bloggers who write about their experiences in multicultural parenting. Every month we host a different blogging carnival, which focuses on a relevant topic, and includes perspectives from (literally) around the world. For example, we discussed teaching heritage to your children, and talked about winter traditions around the world, and the importance of family traditions. Join us on facebook, Twitter or pinterest to meet other multicultural, globally-minded parents.

This month’s carnival is all about our Spring traditions. Do you have a favorite Spring tradition? Is it a cultural tradition, or a special family tradition? Please share yours in the comments!

Olga is a Polish mama living in The Netherlands with her German husband. She blogs at European Mama, and says there are wonderful Polish traditions associated with Spring and especially Easter. My favorite might be the Śmigus Dyngus- or “Wet Monday”- where kids engage in a water fight!

Kim lives in the United States and writes The Educators’ Spin On It. She introduces us to the Spring holiday of Holi, and how her adorable family (and Hindus around the world) celebrate this welcoming of Spring. She has plenty of quality links that go into more detail, including many ideas for Holi activities.

Ute is German, but is currently living in The Netherlands with her family. On Expat Since Birth, she writes about the exciting Swiss tradition of Sechseläuten (Sächsilüüte): a unique Spring holiday in Zurich, Switzerland where people gather to burn the “Winter,” a snowman stuffed with fireworks! My kids would love this! Ute also shares a Swiss classic story for children about a Spring procession called Chalanda-Marz in Engadine, Switzerland.

Jody currently lives in Malawi on a wildlife reserve (you would love her blog Mud Hut Mama!). She shares her own unique family Spring tradition of making their own piñatas. My favorite quote of the article: “There’s an American baseball swing at a Mexican tradition in Malawi on a British owned estate where they grow a Chinese drink which will most likely be drunk in India.” It doesn’t get more global than this!

Varya from Little Artists gets to celebrate her wedding anniversary every Spring coincidentally during the Qing Ming Festival. Varya is originally from Russia, and tells the story of how she met her husband of Tanzania, got married, and how they have settled together in China.

Giselle is a global educator with a lot of international teaching experience. She writes Kids Yoga Stories has a lovely (free) yoga lesson plan for Spring: “flap your wings like a bird, buzz like a bee, and blossom like a flower with the suggested kids yoga sequence,” including a mini-book the kids can illustrate with springtime scenes. Here are some Spring traditions she does with her daughter.

Alex is from Germany, and he and his wife Valerie live in Quebec, Canada. On Glittering Muffins they share one of Quebec’s biggest Spring traditions: visiting the Cabane à Sucre or sugar shack. Every Spring, “Quebecers (and visitors) flock to the dining halls all over the province to enjoy traditional Quebecois foods.” I loved the photos of the maple syrup production and candy-making.

Leanna, at All Done Monkey, shares her creative idea of hosting a global card exchange for the Bahá’í New Year Naw Rúz. She gathered participants from 16 countries and each family made their cards to exchange. What an incredible effort,and rewarding project- I love that this idea could transfer to most holidays and seasons!

Homa Tavangar also discusses Naw Rúz, in this excellent article at the Huffington Post. As a Persian and as a Bahá’í, Homa talks about ending the fast, marking the New Year (or Nowruz- Persian for New Year), and gives a message of hope and happiness.

Frances is a Latina mom living in the US. On Discovering the World through my Son’s Eyes she writes about making special cascarones (colored eggs normally filled with confetti) and then the fun playdate in the park with a special game of tag.

Lesley is from Australia, and blogs at 52 Days to Explore. She gives ideas for families who’d like to try “Star Gazing,” a popular activity in Australia in the Spring, especially when camping.

Finally children’s librarian Mary, from Sprout’s Bookshelf, shares a list of spring-themed books to get kids ready for green gardens and longer, warmer days.

What are rituals or customs that you follow during the Spring months? Please share your ideas here!