I had so much fun this month sharing on Instagram some of the things my kids and I did to celebrate winter this year!! I think January is such a fun month and I hope that my posts were helpful to those of you looking for some new ideas to celebrate and enjoy winter with your kids. If you aren't already, you can follow me on instagram @allseasonssweet! I'll be posting fun ideas and tips for mamas (and daddies) and their kiddos monthly to help make the seasons sweet =)
I am a huge fan of not only doing enriching and educational activities with my kids, but I love centering those activities around a common theme or unit. That is because children absorb and retain more of what they learn when they learn in categories and can make connections between common ideas. For more information about units and their value to both children and moms see my tab above or click HERE! Units take very little time, preparation or creativity, I promise!, but the results are definitely worthwhile I believe.
January is anything but drab and boring!
I've compiled some of our favorite January activities below for your convenience, but don't forget to also check out my previous Winter posts with more ideas and personal thoughts on this wonderful time of year!
Here is what we did this year and my suggestions for making your winter fabulous!
SNOWMAN PANCAKES
2- INGREDIENT SNOW DOUGH
Just combine cornstarch and white, unscented lotion (chill both in the fridge or freezer for a while beforehand to make it cold like snow.) Just eye-ball the amounts and mix to desired consistency. We did about 2 cups cornstarch to 1 cup lotion. Then add some white glitter and peppermint extract (optional) for some added winter-sensory fun!
WINTER FRUIT SNACKS
Black Forest makes these fun fruit snacks that are pine tree, polar bear, penguin and snowman shaped.
WINTER STORY-TIME
There are SOOOOO many fun winter books!! Pictured are some of my favorites, but see my previous winter posts above for many more suggestions!
SIZZLING SNOWFLAKES
SO EASY! Instructions on my blog post "January Traditions"
PAPER SNOWFLAKES
RICE KRISPY SNOWMEN
See my post (link above) "Snowmen and Polar Animal Fun" for instructions!
SNOW PAINT
From growingajeweledrose.com, this paint is soft and puffy and even cold to the touch!
TODDLER SNOWMAN ACTIVITIES
My son did the one above when he was just barely two years old. It was a perfect little easy activity. Below is another cute idea for slightly older toddlers.
SNOWFLAKE PRETZELS
Recipe on my post "January Traditions" (link above.)
PAINTED WINTER SCENES
We used Melissa and Doug's large coloring pages of arctic animals.
RICE KRISPY SNOWFLAKES
Make a sheet of Rice Krispy Treats and then use snowflake cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
SNOWFLAKE JOURNAL
Make a snowflake journal with lots of fun activities. Free printable at spelloutloud.com. Also, see my post "January Traditions" for some great resources and books to learn about snowflakes and Snowflake Bentley.
SNOWFLAKE PRE-K and KINDER EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Free printables at ateachingmommy.com and royalbaloo.com! We did a bunch of these activities and my son LOVED them!!
SNOWMAN PIZZA
We used Trader Joes fresh pizza dough. Just use bell peppers for scarf and nose and large olives sliced in half for the buttons and face. Bake at 475* for about 10-15 min.
POLAR ANIMAL LEARNING
We checked out books from our library on Polar Animals and spent an afternoon learning about them. Then we printed off a "Arctic Animal Science Journal" from the computer (I just googled worksheets/coloring pages and printed off a bunch and then stapled them into a book.) We also did a Polar Animal Report on my son's favorite animal which was an arctic fox. { We made this simple by asking: My favorite animal is _______, It can _______, It has _______, It likes to eat ______ and it looks like this: (draw a picture). }
POLAR ANIMAL PLAY
We loved this idea from IG overthefirstgraderainbow! Just fill a plastic bucket or storage container with water and freeze. This can easily be done by just leaving it outside if you live in a cold enough climate. Then set a metal (or heat safe) bowl onto the ice and pour boiling water into it to let it melt a big ring in the ice to create a pool/ocean. Let your kids have so much fun playing with plastic polar animals in this wintery arctic scene.
SNOWFLAKE OBERSVATION
Catch snowflakes on a sheet of black paper and look at them with a magnifying glass! Learn about their different shapes and formations. (We just put stickers onto a black sheet since we don't have snow where we live.)
MELTING SNOWMAN
This was a fun activity. Build this little putty snowman over and over and watch him slowly melt!
POLAR BEAR PAW CUPCAKES
Recipe on my blog post "Snowmen and Polar Animal Fun" (link above.)
BUILD A SNOWMAN
I found this fun snowman foam kit at Michaels for just a few bucks.
AND this awesome idea from growingajeweledrose.com is so easy and fun. Just cut snowman parts out of craft foam, wet them with a little water and stick to a window.
SNOWMAN SANDWICHES
Just make a sandwich, cut it into a circle and use raisins (or chocolate chips) and a carrot to make a snowman face.
And of course....
Don't forget to play in the SNOW!!!
Photocred: lorieboris.com
For more ideas including:
Victorian Snow Luncheon
Snowman Crafts
Polar Animal Crafts
Snowflake pancakes
Snow Cream recipe
...see my posts listed above.
XOXO
ANNIE
