Preschool Winter Themes and Activities

Your Preschoolers will love exploring these winter themes! There is so much to observe and do in the winter!

Below, you can find some of my favorite winter themes for preschoolers, and a free printable copy of my winter themes list. Inside this free resource, you'll find suggested winter topics to explore, and suggested winter themes. Looking for more themes? Check out our complete list of theme planning pages here!

Winter Clothes & Staying Warm

The weather is starting to get chilly and in lots of places it will start to snow. It's important to teach your students about how we can stay warm during those colder months. Exploring different types of clothing is a great way to talk about cold weather with our students.

Hibernation and Migration

The weather is getting colder which means we have to dress warmer. But, what happens to all of the animals? The beginning of winter is a great time to introduce hibernation and migration to your young learners. Try your hand at building a den with this free printable Build a Bear Den STEM Activity!

Free Printable STEM Activity

Snow and Snowmen

Winter wouldn't be complete if we didn't talk about snow and snowmen. If you are lucky enough to live somewhere it snows then you can do a ton of hands-on activities to explore this fun theme.

Winter Fun Outside

The winter is a great time to get outside and do some really fun activities like sledding, snowboarding and ice skating. Encourage your students to try a new activity that they've never tried before.

Arctic Animals

There are so many fun animals that we get to teach preschoolers about but some of my favorite include arctic animals. Walrus, caribou and polar bears are just some of cool animals we can teach preschoolers about. What is your favorite?

This featured activity can be found inside our Arctic Animals and Ice Activity Pack!

Penguins

Penguins are one of the cutest animals around, I think it might be the waddle that makes them so cute. What do you think? There is so much to learn about penguins from their habitat to what makes them a unique kind of bird. Download your own free copy of our free Penguin Research Station here.

Hot Chocolate

Winter wouldn't be complete without at least one cup of warm hot cocoa. Winter is the perfect time to teach your students more about this fun holiday treat.

You can find some fun Hot Chocolate Ideas on our Sweet Treats Theme Planning Page, including this Hot Chocolate Dramatic Play Pack!

Gingerbread and Baking Sweets

The winter is full of many fun holidays and traditions. One of my favorites is building a gingerbread house. Use this time to read some silly stories about gingerbread men and learn more about some sweet treats.

Getting Ready for the Holidays

There are so many things we do to prepare for the holidays. Deck the Halls (Trees, Stockings, Wreaths, Ornaments , and Santa and His Helpers. Advent Calendars and Elf on the Shelf Ideas. Christmas Around the World.

What to wear in the winter

Introduce your preschooler to some new winter vocabulary related to winter clothes, and accessories. This season it will be important to know about hats, gloves, winter boots, and scarfs. What other items do your students need to stay warm?

Winter Weather

Winter weather can be very unpredictable from snow, and blizzards ice storms. There might even be a rare warm day. It's a great time to explore how different parts of the world have different winter weather.

Go on a Winter Scavenger Hunt

Take a walk in your neighborhood, and go on a scavenger hunt to find some fun winter items.
I bet you will see a ton of great decorations.

Movies and Popcorn

We tend to spend a lot more time indoors in the winter months, which makes it the perfect time to visit a movie theater or create your own. Explore all the fun snacks that you can eat, too!

Nursery Rhymes

Nursery rhymes are a big part of childhood, but they offer more than just fun! They help preschoolers understand storytelling while promoting social skills and playing a pivotal role in language. Some favorites are the Little Miss Muffet, Little Bo Peep, Jack and Jill, and Humpty Dumpty!

Around the World

The winter is a great time to other cultures around the world. This is also a really great time to talk about the different traditions, food, and ways people celebrate Christmas around the world.

Post Office

The post office is a very busy place especially during the month of December which makes it the perfect time to explore the important role the post office plays in our everyday life.

Pets

Dogs, cats, fish, or frogs. Let your students explore all of the different types of pets you can have and even share a bit more about the pets they might have in their own homes.

Inventors

Teaching preschoolers about inventors is a great way to foster the importance of creativity, problem-solving skills, and determination. There are so many great inventions that are part of everyday life, and your students will love learning more about the history behind them.

Dental Health

February is Dental Health Month, and it's the perfect time to express the importance of keeping our teeth clean and healthy. This month is also a great time to explore healthy choices. Let your students explore the different aspects of what it takes to keep their teeth healthy.

Winter Observances and Holidays

You may be celebrating some of these winter observances and holidays:
December Holidays to explore: Hanukkah ends, Pearl Harbor Day, Winter Solstice/Flashlight Day, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Card Playing Day, New Years Eve
January Holidays to explore: New Years Day, Appreciate a Dragon Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday, Popcorn Day, Pizza Week
February Holidays to Explore: Black History Month, Chinese New Year, Groundhog Day Bubble Gum Day, Thank a Mail Carrier Day, National Weather Person Day, Superbowl, Valentine's Day, Presidents Day, Tell a Fairy Tale Day, Polar Bear Day, Friendship Month