30 Exciting Winter Activities for the K-2 Classroom

An engaging list of winter activities for the classroom to warm up and excite kids in Kindergarten, first, and second grade.

Winter Themed Activities and “Cool” Ideas for Kids in K-2

Winter is here, and with it comes an opportunity to incorporate meaningful winter activities in your classroom! Warm-up what can be a cold, dark time with appealing activities that are enjoyable and educational for your students. Even though the excitement of Christmas is over, there are still things to celebrate during this time of year.

Below are ideas and ways to incorporate winter themes into subjects you are teaching in your classroom. Have fun exploring the ideas and making them a part of a positive winter experience for kids.

Winter Literacy Activities

Write about penguins in this unit that combines Science and Language Arts. Or try this All About Winter unit to learn about the season!
Poetry lessons can be “cool” too! Try this winter snow poetry activity.
Give each student a tray with kosher salt and have them spell out spelling words or sight words in the “snow”. See an example on Fun-A-Day.
Build reading comprehension skills while reading winter-themed passages with these one-page activities!

Make snow globes and write with the prompt “Trapped in a Snow Globe!”. Find lots of writing activities and word work for winter, with fun themes.
Read! Check out this list of winter-themed books.

Winter Math Activities

Take differently shaped craft supplies and have students create patterned snowflakes. This activity allows students to explore symmetry.
Match large snowflakes with a number written in the center with corresponding addition problems on clothespins at No Time for Flashcards.
Use snowflake and other winter-themed cut-outs or mini-erasers on your ten frames, as you explore numbers.

Winter Science Activities

Explore chemical reactions in this fun foaming snowman experiment.
Learn what reactions take place when you are making this cool, winter playdough. Then use it to make winter scenes!
Check out this Polar Bear-themed unit that contains science and ELA activities.
Make a snowstorm in a jar with this science experiment!
Learn about animals that hibernate in the winter. Perhaps a trip to the school librarian who can show kids books about animals to check out!
Make crystals with borax in the shape of a snowflake. So engaging!
Use a Winter Seasonal Science and ELA unit that covers topics in Science, Reading, and Writing.

Read the book Mama Do You Love Me? which introduces children to indigenous cultures in the artic.
Have the class work together to build a giant igloo out of gallon milk jugs.
Check out the National Geographic Kids site to learn about different winter holidays that are celebrated around the world. Perhaps assign one for each small group to research.

Winter STEM Activities

Make an igloo out of sugar cubes.
Build bridges out of used or leftover holiday wrapping paper and tape. How can you make it stronger?
Make snowman slime. Although this project takes a few supplies, the result will be a hit!

Winter Arts and Crafts

Have students complete this snowman directed drawing art activity. Then decorate the room with their completed snowmen.

Make these cute cotton ball snowmen!
Build drawing skills all winter long with these step-by-step drawing activities!
Use cotton balls, clothespins, and white paint on blue paper to create wintery scenes.
Try creating a beautiful winter art project to depict a winter wonderland with a few simple materials you have already.

Make these beautiful salt painted snowflakes with just a few supplies.

Winter Movement and Exercise

For added fun, use these arctic animal yoga moves to stretch together as a class!
If you’re lucky enough to live in an area where snow is on the ground, get outside for some fun, and have a snowman building contest!

Hopefully, these winter activities for the classroom have gotten you excited about planning thematic educational fun for your students.

There are so many opportunities to learn and explore during this time of year. Which one of these is your favorite?

FREE Directed Drawing Snowman

Like drawing with your kids? You can download this FREEBIE now! It’s a directed drawing activity you can use as an art lesson or just a fun activity! Download by clicking the image below.