Managing the classroom during the springtime can present a set of challenges, especially when it comes to student behavior and keeping them on task. As the temperature rises and the anticipation of the end of the year builds, students often become restless. One way to beat spring fever in the classroom is with these highly engaging spring activities for kids. With The Case of the Criminal Critter Spring Escape Room, your kindergarten students will not even realize they are learning, as they complete up to eight different spring centers for math and literacy!

Spring Escape Room

Students eliminate suspects and discover who has stolen the seeds from the gardener with The Case of the Criminal Critter!

Before diving into our spring centers, I like to set the stage by reading a note from the gardener:

There was a gardener,

Planting in the soil.

A critter came,

And caused some turmoil.

It stole all the seeds,

That he needed to sow.

Where did it take them?

He has to know!

Solve each challenge,

And you will see.

There is only one,

That it can be!

Once you have set the stage, the students will create their case files. These can be made with file folders, or by folding a large sheet of construction paper in half.

While the students are coloring the cover, staple the “Suspect Elimination” sheet inside the folder. Then, they can glue the covers to the outside of the folder.

Just like a real detective, these case files will hold all of their completed spring activities!

Spring Activities Set Up

Prep the spring centers by placing each activity inside a manila envelope. As an alternative, you can also choose to place each challenge inside a tub or basket.

To solve the mystery, the students will need to complete six or eight different spring themed math and literacy centers.

After the students complete each challenge, they will receive a clue from the culprit. A suspect will be eliminated after each challenge.

Upon finishing all the centers, only one suspect will remain and the mystery will be solved!

Not interested in using these as an escape room? No problem!

Feel free to integrate them as standard math and literacy activities, minus the mystery element!

Spring Activities for Literacy

Here’s a quick look at the literacy activities, all spring themed!

The students will sort the pictures by the beginning blend (cr, dr & tr) at the “Bunny Challenge.”

At the “Flower Challenge,” the students will stretch out the CVCe word and use the flowers to build each word.

When they arrive at the “Birdhouse Challenge,” they will listen for the vowel sound and match the bird to the correct birdhouse. 

For the final literacy center, the “Frog Challenge, the students will spin the spinner and write the word.

Spring Activities for Math

These math activities are just as exciting as the literacy activities! Here is a sneak peek:

At the “Rainbow Challenge,” the students match the clouds to the correct rainbow.

The students compare two numbers using <, > or =, at the “Chick Challenge.”

Once they arrive at the “Raindrop Challenge,” the students will sort the raindrops into 2D and 3D shapes.

Last but not least is the “Carrot Challenge,” where the students spin the spinner, and move forward or backward the correct number of spaces.

Spring Escape Room

Grab The Case of the Criminal Critter Spring Escape Room, here!

More Spring Activities

You might also like these Easter Escape Room Activities!

Be sure to checkout this butterfly life cycle craft and activity, here!

Need a simple Easter craft? Check out this simple pom pom egg craft for practicing patterns!

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