Winter Sensory Activities for Preschoolers

2/11/2025

Winter Sensory Activities for Preschoolers

Winter is a magical time of year for little ones, filled with snow, chilly weather, and the cozy atmosphere of staying warm inside. While the cold weather might keep them indoors, there are plenty of exciting sensory activities that can help preschoolers explore the sights, sounds, textures, and smells of the season. These hands-on experiences are not only fun but also encourage important developmental skills like fine motor coordination, language development, and problem-solving. Here are some creative winter sensory activities to try with your preschoolers!

Take a look at some of our super simple sensory activities you can use with your preschoolers during this chilly season!

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Hibernation Preschool Sensory Bin

Winter is the time when many animals prepare for hibernation, and this sensory bin gives preschoolers a hands-on way to learn about how bears get ready for the cold months. By using various natural elements, children can explore how animals create their homes and how they survive during the winter. Introduce preschoolers to the concept of hibernation with a sensory bin filled with dried beans, animal figures like bears, squirrels, and rabbits, and a small cave or hiding spot. As children play, talk to them about which animals hibernate in the winter and how they prepare for the cold months ahead.

Hibernation Station Preschool Sensory Exploration

Footprints in the Snow

Talk about how animals leave tracks in the snow, and explain how animal tracks help scientists understand where animals have been and what they’re doing. Place white dough in the bottom of the sensory bin, or flour. Provide small animals to allow students to create tracks in the snow.

Submitted by Darlene S.

Winter Habitat Sensory Bin

For a more educational sensory experience, create a winter habitat sensory bin. Fill it with fake snow, small plastic animals, and even some artificial trees or rocks. This activity offers preschoolers a chance to explore the habitats of winter animals, learn about the environment, and develop fine motor skills as they manipulate the toys and objects in the bin.

Winter Habitat Preschool Sensory Bin

Chicken Noodle Soup Sensory Play

This activity is a fun way to engage preschoolers in imaginative play. Fill a sensory bin with uncooked pasta, toy chicken pieces, and small spoons or tongs. Add some child-safe plastic vegetables and containers for sorting. As children play, they’ll enjoy "cooking" their own chicken noodle soup while exploring textures and practicing fine motor skills.

Chicken Noodle Soup Sensory Play

Peppermint Sensory Writing Tray Tutorial

This is a fantastic way to combine sensory play and writing practice. Fill a tray with flour, salt, or sand, and add a few drops of peppermint extract for a delightful seasonal scent. Encourage children to use their fingers or a small brush to “write” letters, numbers, or even their names in the tray. The calming scent of peppermint will engage their sense of smell as they practice their writing skills!

Peppermint Sensory Preschool Writing Tray

Peas Porridge Sensory Bin

Inspired by the classic nursery rhyme, this sensory bin is a great way to introduce preschoolers to different textures. Fill the bin with dry peas or lentils, and add small toy containers, spoons, and measuring cups for pouring and scooping. This activity encourages imaginative play while helping children refine their sensory exploration skills.

Peas Porridge Sensory Bin

Winter Sensory Bin Scavenger Hunt Activities

Make your sensory bins even more exciting by adding a scavenger hunt element! Hide small flashcards containing images of winter-themed items like mittens, snowflakes, and snowmen in the bin and use the simple list for kids to find. Not only does this encourage sensory exploration, but it also helps children with early literacy and problem-solving as they search for specific objects.

Winter Scavenger Hunt Preschool Sensory Bin

New Year’s Sensory Bin

Celebrate the New Year with a festive sensory bin! Fill it with small items like confetti, glitter, toy glasses, and countdown clocks. Add bells, noisemakers, and party hats for extra fun! Children can engage in imaginative play as they get ready for the “big celebration,” all while exploring different textures.

New Years Preschool Sensory Bin

The Sweet Smell of Christmas Sensory Investigation

This sensory activity is paired with The Sweet Smell of Christmas by Patricia Scarry, a beloved children’s book. Create a sensory investigation station with cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange peels, and other fragrant winter smells. As children explore the scents, read the story together, and talk about the smells that are associated with Christmas traditions. This sensory activity is a wonderful way to engage both the sense of smell and the love of stories.

Sweet Smell of Christmas Sensory Play

Valentine’s Day Slime

Who says slime is just for summer? A Valentine’s Day slime recipe is the perfect way to incorporate seasonal fun. Use pink or red coloring and add glitter or heart-shaped confetti for extra flair. The stretchy, squishy texture of the slime will captivate preschoolers while also enhancing their sensory development.

Valentine's Day Slime Recipe

Create Fake Snow

Even if it’s not snowing outside, you can bring the magic of snow indoors! Make fake snow by mixing baking soda and shaving cream. The result is a soft, fluffy material that feels just like snow. Preschoolers will love playing in it, shaping it into snowballs, and engaging in pretend snow play. You can also add small plastic snowmen, animals, or even colored glitter for extra fun!

Fake Snow Preschool Sensory Play

Valentine's Frozen Goop

This winter-themed slime alternative can be made by mixing cornstarch and water to create a goopy, non-Newtonian fluid. Freeze the goop and set it out for children to explore as it melts and shifts from a solid to a liquid. This hands-on science activity will spark curiosity and provide tactile stimulation as children play with the goop.

Valentine's Frozen Goop Sensory Play

Explore Sounds with Preschoolers

Winter often comes with unique sounds, whether it’s the crunch of snow underfoot or the wind howling through trees. Set up a noise exploration station where children can experiment with different items that make wintery sounds, like shaking bells, tapping icicle-like objects, or crinkling wax paper. This activity helps preschoolers develop auditory awareness and curiosity about the sounds they encounter.

Preschool noise sensory bin

How Do Polar Bears Stay Warm? A Science Investigation Tutorial

Engage your preschoolers with a fun science activity where they can learn how animals like polar bears stay warm in the cold winter months. Create a “polar bear” station with a toy bear, a variety of materials (like cotton, fabric, and foil), and a simple heat source like a warm cup of water. Ask children to experiment with different materials to see which keeps the polar bear the warmest. This hands-on activity sparks curiosity about science and the natural world.

How Polar Bears Stay Warm Science Investigation

Glacier Sculptures Sensory

Here’s a fun building challenge for your preschoolers! Encourage children to create ice sculptures using ice cubes. Set up a station with various sizes and shapes of ice cubes and let the children explore how they can stack, arrange, or combine the ice to create their own frozen sculptures. You can add materials like small plastic animals or natural elements like pinecones or twigs to inspire creative designs. As the ice melts, kids will observe the changes in texture and temperature, making this a fantastic opportunity for sensory exploration and science learning.

Preschool Sensory Play Glacier Sculptures

Winter is the perfect time for sensory exploration. These activities provide wonderful opportunities for preschoolers to develop essential skills while having fun and staying cozy indoors. Whether they’re making slime, exploring smells, or learning about animals, each of these sensory activities offers a unique and engaging experience that will make this winter unforgettable!

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