If you’re looking for winter activities for preschoolers, you’ve come to the right place! Here, you’ll find winter-themed literacy, STEM, art, and sensory ideas for the kids. Just what you need to plan a preschool winter theme.
There’s just something about winter that makes me feel all cozy and warm. Maybe it’s the thought of my ideal winter day . . . bundled up under a blanket, reading a good book, and drinking some hot chocolate.
Either way, I rather enjoy a chilly winter day. Even more so if there’s a layer of snow on the ground. Well, as long as I don’t have to drive in it.
I know a lot of preschoolers who LOVE a good snow day, too. And who really enjoy all kinds of winter activities at school. Which makes teaching a preschool theme even more fun!
Winter Activities for Preschoolers
Below you’ll find over 35 ideas to try with the kids this winter. Honestly, it’s quite a bit more than thirty-five, because some of the links contain 20 or more ideas each. Basically, you’ll find almost everything you need to plan your own winter theme.
I’ve broken things down into a few categories for you. This will make it easier for you to find the specific activities you’re looking for. You’ll find art, sensory, literacy, and STEM activities, as well as a few additional collections.
So pick the topic you’d like to start with and jump right in!
Preschool Winter Art Ideas
Let’s kick things off with some creativity! Here are some art-themed winter activities for preschoolers:
Cookie Cutter Snowman Art Project
Paper, paint, and cookie cutters are all you need!
Snowflake Craft
The kids can create their own snowflake art. They can even work on patterns and symmetry while creating.
Popsicle Stick Snowflakes
You can’t go wrong with a classic snowflake craft!
Winter Hand Print Tree
If your students love using their hands to create, this snowy tree will definitely be a hit.
Winter Process Art
If you’re a fan of process art, these ideas are must tries.
Winter Sensory Activities
Next up are sensory play invitations to try with the kids this winter. If you live in an area that gets snow, don’t forget to integrate that into some of your sensory activities.
Arctic Sensory Play
Combine loose parts, fake snow, and Arctic animals for a chilly sensory experience.
Arctic Small World Play
Let the kids create stories about the animal while playing with glittery “snow.”
Penguin Sensory Bin
Instant snow and penguin toys . . . what’s not to love?
Arctic Animal Sensory Writing Tray
Kids can practice mark-making in a snowy Arctic tray.
How to Make Fake Snow with Flour
Let your students help make “snow” for the sensory table using a few simple ingredients.
Winter Sensory Bottles
A fun collection of sensory bottles to include with your winter activities for preschoolers.
DIY Snowman Kit
Put this kit together for snowman-making fun. Or just use it to create snow people out of loose parts on non-snowy days.
Icy Water Beads
Water beads and ice is such an interesting combination of textures and temperatures. Perfect for winter time.
Seek and Find Winter Animals Game
Turn an Arctic sensory tray into a hide-and-seek game.
Scooping Snowballs Pretend Play
Combine fine motor skills, sensory play, and a little bit of make believe with cotton balls.
Winter Small World Play
Using some items you can gather from nature, create some DIY milk carton houses to use in the winter forest scene.
Winter Literacy Activities for Preschoolers
Now I’ve got some literacy ideas for you and the kids! You can also choose your favorite winter books and build activities around those, too.
The Mitten Printable Emergent Reader
Your students can make easy readers based on the well-loved story The Mitten.
Name Snowman
The kids can craft their own name snowmen, or you can use the printable snowball letters for the names. In my opinion, you really have to add this idea to your winter theme. You can take a peek here:
Marshmallow Names Craft
Make three-dimensional names with marshmallows.
Fine Motor Snowman Letter Activities
Little fingers will get a workout as the children match uppercase and lowercase “snowballs” to make snowmen.
Preschool Winter Words
Use alphabet manipulatives and printable word mats to make winter words.
Snowball Names
Hole reinforcement stickers make great “snowballs” for a simple name activity.
Winter Songs for Preschoolers
This collection of songs will inspire some of your winter singing.
Winter STEM Activities
I gathered the science, engineering, and math ideas into one spot. You can add the technology aspect as you see fit – using computers, cameras, appliances (like hot glue guns), tablets, and other tools (like pipettes, scales, and scissors).
Snowman Roll and Cover
Your students can practice early math skills while playing a fun dice game.
Winter Calendar Numbers
Use the printable numbers during circle time, math small groups, or put them in your math center.
Counting Snowballs Math
Set the kids up with cotton balls and tongs. Then let the counting commence.
Engineering Winter Animal Dens
Challenge your students to create dens for winter animals using marshmallows and toothpicks.
Build a Snowflake STEM
Use three-dimensional shapes to explore the symmetry of snowflakes.
Winter Fine Motor Play
Turn styrofoam balls into wintry geoboards!
DIY Snow Building Blocks
Grab some ice cube trays to build with your own snow blocks!
Winter Snowman Activity with Real Snow
In this science experiment, children will investigate the properties of real snow!
Winter Math Activities for Preschoolers
15+ additional math ideas to add to your winter theme.
Winter Read It Build It Write It Printable Letters
Print out and laminate our free winter-themed letters and mats so your students can practice identifying, making, and writing the letters of the alphabet!
Even More Winter Activities for Preschoolers
The final category is a bit of a hodge podge. Below you’ll find collections I’ve put together. Each of them has multiple winter activities for preschoolers around different themes. They’re all great additions to your next winter theme.
Arctic Animals Preschool Printables
If your class loves exploring the Arctic, these printables are for them!
Snowman Snack Ideas
Use snack time to explore literacy and following directions with snowman treats.
Free Winter Printables
Even more printables to pair with your winter activities for preschoolers.
Winter Messy Play Ideas
In my opinion, you need messy play in every theme you plan!
The Mitten Activities
More ideas to go with a favorite winter story.
Snowball Activities
For children who love all things snowballs.
Snowflake Activities
Some children are fascinated by snowflakes. If you’re teaching a snowflake theme, be sure to try some of these ideas.
Evergreen Tree Activities
Winter is a good time to explore evergreen trees, if you’re students are interested.
What are some of YOUR favorite winter activities for preschoolers? Feel free to leave me a comment below and tell me all about them.
Why Teach a Winter Theme?
Preschoolers learn so much by exploring the world around them. This definitely includes the weather and seasons.
It makes a lot of sense to teach a winter theme because the kids all have some kind of experience with winter. So you can build upon their background knowledge of the season as you prepare all of your winter activities for preschoolers.
This would also be a great time to talk about how seasons are different depending on where you live. Children who have lived in different areas, or kids who have traveled during the winter, will have a lot to say on this topic! What a great way to include their experiences in the learning.
Materials for Your Winter Activities
Now let’s take a look at the items you might need for a winter theme! I’m a big believer in using what you already have first. So take a peek into your teaching cabinet or school supply closet before you start your planning. Make note of the materials available to you first.
Once you know the materials that are on-hand, compare them to the activities you want to include in your theme. Keep a list of any items that you don’t have. You might decide to swap out some of the materials, or you can determine how to get your hands on them.
Talk with your admin first, of course. I know some schools give teachers monthly material budgets, while others don’t. You can also talk with your students’ families or local businesses for some of the items, too. You know your community best, though.
Here are some things you might want to put on your materials list:
Winter Books for Preschoolers
You know I can’t pass up an opportunity to talk books! Here are some winter book ideas. They’ll pair perfectly with your winter activities for preschoolers!
Preschool Winter Lesson Plans
If you have too much on your plate (if you’re a teacher, I know you do!), let Preschool Teacher 101 help! We have done-for-you preschool lesson plans, literacy and STEM activities, song packs, digital games, and so much more.
Below you’ll find some resources perfect for wintertime. Click on each image for more detail. And don’t forget to join the waiting list for The Pack from Preschool Teacher 101. Members gain access to current and new resources, among other benefits.
