Winter Outdoor Kindergarten

When I tell people that I teach in an outdoor immersion kindergarten program, one of the first responses is usually "Even in the winter?!"  This post will include some of the outdoor activities we engage with during the long winter months here in the bold north of Minnesota.

We have access to a skating ring on our property.  Most students don't have any skating experience but are curious about the rink.  We try out boot skating and we bring out our chairs to help with balance.  This is particularly fun and engaging in an Olympic year.

Measuring heights compared with a snowman.  Engineering snowmen with different sized snow chunks.

Using found objects to create snow sculptures.  Observing the changes these creations go through over time.

Exploring Mount Snowmungeous!  Created by snow plowed from our parking lot.

How many ways can we use a stick in the winter?

Creating a pretend campfire and gathering sticks with a sled.

Comparing icicle lengths.

How many kids can fit on this log? Math exploration.

For some of our students with special needs and mobility issues the story strolls we make accessible are on of the few ways for them to engage in outdoor learning.

Our naturalist teaching about the Maple Syrup process.

Checking on the tapped Maple Trees.

Working as a team to balance snow chunks.

Using our 5 senses to create a snow poem.

Snow angel circle.

Exploring how temperature changes affect snow and melt.  Mud suits highly recommended!

Checking out animal tracks in the snow.