Preschoolers love learning about the seasons. The 4 and 5 Year Curricula contain activities to teach the characteristics, holidays, and activities of each season. Here are a few ideas to begin.
Months – December, January, February
Holidays – Christmas, New Years, Valentine’s Day, Family Birthdays
Weather – Cold, snow, ice
Clothing – Winter coats, gloves, hats, sweaters
Plants – Trees are without leaves, plants are brown
Activities – Sledding, caroling, snowball fights
Free Coloring Sheet for Immediate Family Use
Create patterns (AB, ABA, ABC) using winter images in the printable.
Handprint Winter Tree
Paint brown the child's hand and arm. Press down on a piece of paper. Roll the arm a little to make the tree trunk bigger. Allow to dry. Or draw around the child's arm and hand on brown paper and cut out. To create the winter scene, dip a fingertip into white paint mixed with a small amount of blue and press on the paper.
This activity is one of the many fun activities in the 5 Year Curriculum,
Outside and Inside Winter Activities
Snow and winter cold temperatures provide a unique opportunity for children to gain gross motor activity, experience new textures, and have fun. Enjoy these fun ideas!
image by allie
A spin on the game "Doggy, Doggy Who has Your Bone?"
The Chant:
Snowman, Snowman, who has your hat, gloves, scarf, etc?
Somebody stole it from your home.
Who could it be?
How to Play:
1. Choose one child to be the "snowman." Have them sit blindfolded in the center of a circle formed by the other children.
2. While the chant is recited, an adult will discreetly give a small item (the "hat") to one of the children in the circle.
3. As the chant continues, all children should hide their hands behind their backs to keep the secret.
4. Once the chant is finished, remove the blindfold from the "snowman," and give them three chances to guess which child has the hat.
5. If the "snowman" guesses correctly, the child with the bone becomes the new "snowman." If not, they can keep guessing until they run out of turns.
This game encourages critical thinking, teamwork, and listening skills while adding an element of fun and excitement!
Free Coloring Sheet for Immediate Family Use
Create a Four Seasons Wheel using the Four Seasons printables. Post the finished tree on a wall in a circle adding pictures around it that depict the season. Place the arrows moving between the seasons. Also add names or pictures of people whose birthday are in the season.
This activity is one of the many fun activities in the 4 Year Curriculum,
In Poppleton in Winter by Cynthia Rylant, the beloved pig Poppleton enjoys the joys and wonders of winter. From building a snowman with his friends to hosting a cozy gathering, Poppleton embraces the season with warmth and cheer. Our family has deeply loved all of the books in the Poppleton series.
What is God's special purpose for you? This is the question The Tiny Snowflake by Arthur Ginolfi answers as Lacy, a tiny snowflake, questions her purpose. With a little help from her friends, she discovers her unique purpose among God's beautiful creation.
In The Biggest Snowman Ever by Steven Kroll, two mice named Clayton and Desmond compete to build the largest snowman in their town's contest. As they struggle to make their snowmen bigger and better, they realize they can accomplish more by working together. By combining their efforts, they build the biggest snowman the town has ever seen, and both emerge as winners. This heartwarming tale emphasizes the value of teamwork and friendship, making it a delightful winter read for young children.
In Snowmen at Night by Carolyn Buehner, readers are taken on a whimsical journey into the nighttime activities of snowmen as they come to life when the sun goes down. As children sleep, the snowmen embark on various adventures, from building their own creations to exploring the winter landscape. One of our favorite picture books, the story is filled with playful illustrations that capture the magic of snowmen enjoying the night, ultimately culminating in the delightful mystery of what happens when morning arrives.
In The Hat by Jan Brett, a mischievous little hedgehog accidentally gets stuck in a cozy knitted hat after trying it on. As he waddles around in the hat, various animals—such as a curious owl, a clever rabbit, and a gentle deer—spot him and mistake him for a new kind of creature. Each animal reacts with surprise and curiosity, creating a humorous situation as they try to figure out what this new "animal" could be. The story showcases themes of friendship and imagination, complemented by Brett's intricate and beautiful illustrations, making it a delightful read for children.
