Lessons & Classroom Games for Teachers
While many adults seem to get trapped in the winter blues, winter is most often seen as a time of wonder and enchantment for children. Explore the many facets of the polar season with these preschool winter activities, which are perfect for kids who experience winter in all its snowy glory and those who only know snow by reading about it in books.
Most preschool winter activities are focused on the most visual aspect of winter, which is snow. Many different household items or craft supplies can simulate snow in craft projects, such as white sand, cotton balls, mashed potato flakes, cracked egg shells, flour, laundry soap, or shaving cream.
Glitter Scenes and Snowman Dreams
There are other simple ways of creating winter scenes, such as this activity which uses black construction paper, glue and glitter. Have children spread paint over the construction paper using a Popsicle stick. Before the glue has a chance to dry, sprinkle glitter across the page which creates an effect to mirror that of sparkling snowflakes. An icicle effect can also be created in a similar manner by spreading thin lines of glue on black construction paper and sprinkling glitter on the lines of glue.
Another excellent theme for preschool winter activities is snowmen. While the construction of actual snowmen outside can be difficult since the snow must slightly be melted in order to stick together to form the snowman's shape, these simple crafts simulate the creation of snowmen. Try this craft which uses paper plates, pom-poms, orange craft foam, cotton and glue. To begin give each child three paper plates. On the first paper plate, the children glue a smile and eyes from small black pom-poms as well as a nose from the orange craft foam. Next, they glue or staple the second paper plate to the bottom of the first, and decorate it with buttons or more black pom-poms. Finally, they glue or staple the third paper plate to the bottom of the second and a snowman is born!
Edible snowmen can be created from marshmallows and chocolate chips. Use toothpicks to get the marshmallows to stick together. Once children are done creating their snowmen, they can eat their creations for a tasty little treat.
Fun with Mittens
Finally, children love winter because it gives them the chance to put on many fun accessories before venturing out into the cold. Try these fun crafts for practice with decorating skills and for learning about the importance of keeping hands warm with mittens.
This last craft for the preschool winter activities, called "Handprint Mittens" has children decorating a large pair of paper mittens with their very own handprints. Cut out one pair of large paper mittens for each child, and have them dip their hand into Tempra paint and cover the mittens with hand prints. Make sure they wash all the paint off their hand before attempting to use another color of paint, or else all the colors will turn into the same yucky brown color.
Mary Robinson has been teaching preschool for well over a decade. You can get instant access to her preschool activities, crafts, and lesson plans by visiting her website:
For a limited time, all visitors to Mary's site will also get a free copy of her special report: "The 7 Biggest Mistakes Preschool Teachers and Parents Make". Go get your free copy today!
