Preschool Winter Activities
Fun Things to Do When the Weather Turns Cold
Have some fun with your preschooler this winter with these "cool" ideas.
The winter is a magical time for adults and kids alike. Besides the fun and excitement of the holidays, winter brings about wonderful opportunities for teaching as well. Your preschooler will be delighted in learning about all the things that are associated with winter.
Go on a Mistletoe Hunt
Mistletoe is a neat little bit of greenery that is only seen in the wintertime. You can teach your preschooler about this plant by going out and looking for mistletoe. Did you know that mistletoe is actually considered a parasitic plant? That means that it cannot grow alone. It is needs another plant to attach itself to. That is why you often see mistletoe growing on many different types of trees. Explain to your child that there is no such thing as a mistletoe tree or mistletoe plant.
Go outside and see how many different types of trees it is growing on. If you can reach the mistletoe, collect a few springs and hang them up in the house. Show your child that the white berries are poisonous to humans, but that birds, especially bluebirds and cedar waxwings love feasting on this berry. Don’t forget to plant a kiss on the one you love when you stand under the mistletoe.
Talk About the Snow
If you are lucky enough to live in an area where you get snow during the winter, then these activities are good for any day. If you live in a place where you might see one day of snow, then keep these on hand for a spur of the moment activity.
How about making a snow gauge. You know that you can measure the amount of rain you get, but you can do the same thing with the snow. Take a small clear plastic soda bottle and carefully cut off the top. Put a ruler on the inside and make off the inches (or centimeters) on the outside of the bottle using a permanent marker. Now allow your child to place it outside and watch how it fills up over the course of the day. You can also take a yardstick outside and measure as well. Find out how the two amounts compare with one another.
While you are out in the snow, now is the perfect time to go for a nature walk. You may not always think of nature walks when it is snowing, but it is actually a great time. Bundle up and get outside. What kind of birds do you see? There are many winter birds that you may find when it snows. Also, look for animal tracks. This works well when you go out first thing in the morning after a good snow. You might see bird prints, dog tracks or even rabbit tracks!
The winter brings about wonderful learning opportunities. Do not miss this time of year to teach your preschooler all you can about this cold time of year.
