Preschoolers enjoy learning about the changing seasons, and winter is full of wonder and new experiences for them to explore. From crisp air to magical snowflakes, winter offers many opportunities for fun and learning. On this page, you'll find engaging activities that help children understand the unique aspects of winter while encouraging creativity and curiosity. On this page, you'll find winter facts, seasonal activities, and preschool books all centered around the theme of winter.
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
All Printables Free for Immediate Family Use and with a Current License Only
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,
For Family Use: Print the Winter Patterns printable. Block cut out the winter images. Then create patterns (AB, ABA, ABC) using winter images in the printable.
Discover a variety of holiday activities that keep Jesus at the heart of your celebrations! From crafts to family traditions, these ideas will help you create meaningful moments for your family or classroom that focus on the true reason for the season.
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!
Discover Winter Fun Inside or Out
image by allie
Roll-a-Picture are a fun way to boost fine motor skills, sharpen visual perception skills, and practice taking turns - all while enjoying time together! It's like a game of Cootie, but with a pencil and a whole lot of creativity. Celebrate winter with this fun version.
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!
I had heard about it but never experienced it until our last snowstorm. One bite was not enough! Snow ice cream is our new family tradition. When you find out how easy it is, you will add it to your snow activities as well!
Snow Ice Cream Ingredients
8 cups snow
1 (14 oz) can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 t. vanilla
Supplies
Large bowl
Large spoon or spatula
Can opener
Measuring spoons/cups
Individual bowls and spoons
Note: The sweetened condensed milk provides the sweetness to the ice cream. If you don’t have a can, you can substitute with milk, sugar and a dash of salt. Start with 1 cup milk along with 1/4 – 1/2 cup of sugar (based on desired sweetness).
Create snowflakes by folding and cutting paper. Let the child decorate with glitter or markers to make each snowflake unique.
Looking for a meaningful gift that parents, grandparents, or loved ones will treasure? Our Hand and Footprint Calendar Digital Download offers a personal touch, with monthly Bible verses and space for unique handprint or footprint art to make each month extra special.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
In a large bowl, combine ingredients.
Mix thoroughly until the dough reaches a soft, crumbly texture.
If desired, add glitter to make it look like sparkling snow.
Knead the dough to ensure everything is well mixed.
The dough should feel cool and smooth, perfect for kids to mold, squish, and shape into snowballs or other fun creations! If the mixture is too dry, add a bit more oil. If too oily, add more cornstarch.
Note: Place an old tablecloth under the play area as this will make clean up much easier.
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.
Help your preschooler discover the joy of books with a carefully chosen list of the best books and simple tips to make storytime fun and full of learning. This free packet provides easy ideas to keep your child engaged, grow their love of reading, and build important pre-reading skills—making reading together one of the best gifts you can give!
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.
Snowball Soup by Mercer Mayer features Little Critter and his friends as they enjoy a fun-filled day in the snow. After building a big snowman, they use their creativity to make "snowball soup" in a pretend pot, stirring up lots of imaginative play and laughter. This lighthearted story, with its charming illustrations, celebrates friendship, teamwork, and the joy of snowy adventures.
Sneezy the Snowman by Maureen Wright is a fun story about a snowman who keeps melting because he's too cold. He tries to warm up by drinking hot chocolate, standing by a fire, and wearing cozy clothes, but each time he melts and needs to be rebuilt by the children. It's a playful and engaging way for preschoolers to learn about problem-solving and the effects of heat on snow.
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats follows a young boy as he explores the wonder of a snowy day. Through simple adventures like making snow angels, dragging his feet through the snow, and watching snowflakes fall, Peter captures the magic and excitement of discovering winter for the first time. This classic story beautifully illustrates a child's curiosity and joy during the winter season.
Discover More Seasons Books for Kids
