15 Winter Read Aloud and Activities

The winter season is a wonderful time to share with students beautiful art and stories that take you into a winter wonderland experience. Depending on where you live, of course! Seasonal books can be a great introduction to thematic units, or themed lessons. For example, winter books can also connect ideas, genres, topics, and even real world connections that lead to informational texts.

Favorite Winter Read Alouds

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The Snowy Nap by Jan Brett – This book is filled with rich and exquisite illustrations. Hedgie is missing all the fun while he hibernates. All his friends are making snowmen, decorating chicken coops, and playing in the slippery ice from the pond. Hedgie decides to stay awake instead of going to his burrow. But then, a snowstorm starts! Don’t worry, Hedgie gets to see all the wonders of winter from inside his cozy house.

If I Lived in a Snow Globe by Chelsea McGothlin – This is a great book for introducing a writing prompt for creative writing and a cute story about a little on his imaginary journey through snow as he discovers what it would be like to live in his very own snow globe.

You can get the writing page and craft idea here!

The Snow Globe Family by Jane O’Conner – This book is a great tie to literary and an art craft. In The Snow Globe Family there are two families involved in the story. With beautiful illustrations that tell the story’s plot when the baby gets a hold of the snow globe and shakes it. All of the sudden the family inside slips and slides!

Create a snow globe with these easy steps! Credit to: TiredandTrueTeacherTips

The Giving Snowman by Jullia Zheng – A perfect book to teach about gratitude. This book is about gratitude and kindness. Children can learn through the story that giving to others is a virtue that connects all of us and makes our lives more beautiful. The author notes that this story conveys important messages through humor, warmth, and a happy or unexpected ending.

The Magic of Friendship Snow by Andi Cann – Making friends is hard (even as adult!). One thing is is true, how can you be a good friend? In this book the character Jojo doesn’t seem to have friends. She feels sad and lonely. Then, Jojo meets Puddles, the snowman made with magic friendship snow. This book celebrates the special bond between friends.

Snowflake Bentley by Jaqueline Martin – In this book, the true story of Wilson Bentley and his singular fascination with snowflakes is rendered in rich prose and gorgeous artwork. Wilson’s parents supported his curiosity and saved until the day they could give him his own camera and microscope. As the time, his fascination and curiosity was misunderstood by people. He accomplished hundreds of photographs, slideshow of his findings and when he was 66 his work was published in a book of photos.

All you need is cotton swab and construction paper. Allow your student to cut and create their own snowflake!

Bright Winter Night by Alli Brydon – This book is bout a bright winter night in a forest filled with woodland creatures. Something special is happening in the forest and soon the animals are going to see a glimpse of one of natures most astounding wonders. This book shares the message of a gif of friendship and togetherness.

Winter Tree art craft for kids using wood sticks right outside! Credit to: fantasticfunandlearning

The Biggest Snowman Ever by Steven Kroll – This book is a New York Times bestseller. The Biggest Snowman Ever is about a contest to who can build the biggest snowman ever! The mayor of Mouseville announces the towns content, but building it alone can be hard! They work together and build the biggest one yet!

Snow: A Winter and Holiday Book for Kids by Cynthia Rylant – This book is about a young girl, her friend, and her grandmother enjoy the many things a snowy day has to offer. In this story, the illustrations capture the magical types of snow in its very own way and the enjoyment of snow. Gives readers a “warm fuzzy” feeling as it beautifully expresses the story of snowy weather.

This is a great activity to write about how to make friends or ways to be a good friend. You can find this resource here. You can also click on the image below to take you to the resource directly.

A fun and engaging way to incorporate snow is to make it! Using these simple and easy to find items.

The Snow Dancer by Addie Boswell – In this story a young dancer Sofia wakes up to a SNOW DAY! As she makes her way outside to the neighborhood park, the other kids soon make their way too. With the help a new friend, Sofia is ready to show everyone what a snow dancer can do on a perfect day of white snow. The language of this book is lyrical and includes beautiful art that sparkles with joy.

The Mitten by Jan Brett – This story is about a young boy’s lost mitten leads to a charming snowy adventure. When Nicki, the young boy drops his mitten in the snow, he goes on without realizing that it is missing. One by one, woodland animals find it and crawl in. As the story unfolds, to the readers surprise it has a funny climax.

Below is an activity you can use. Click on the image or visit my TPT store to get this printable and activity!

Spike: the Penguin With Rainbow Hair by Sarah Cullen – This is a sweet penguins tale from a popular ocean tales children’s book series. It begins with a penguin who has colorful rainbow hair, Spike. He was born with rainbow hair and everyone loved it. They thought he was unique and special…well almost everyone. As you read about his journey to change or keep his hair to fit it it will teach about being unique and acceptance.

Snowman At Night by Caralyn Buehner – In Snowman at Night picture book you will experience the imaginative and amusing details of what snowmen do after everyone goes to sleep. If you have ever wondered what snowmen do at night, this story will take you on an adventure of all the possibilities.

You can visit my store or click on the image to take you to this activity page and craft.

Ten Ways to Hear the Snow by Cathy Camper – In this book Lina is visiting her grandma’s. One winter morning, Lina wakes up to silence. It’s the sound of snow! As Lina walks past all the snowy sidewalks, and discovers ten ways to pay attention to what might have otherwise gone unnoticed.

Learning to Ski with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen – Learning to Ski with Mr. Magee and his trusty dog, Dee is a book that has rhyming and comical artwork. If you have ever been skiiing and remember your first time, this will bring back some memories! Mr. Magee and his little dog decide to head out bright and early to learn how to ski. With a pleasant surprise he quickly goes down the hill and flying through the air. This book is a great story for teaching overcoming obstacles.

Before or after reading Learning to Ski with Mr. Magee would be a perfect time to have a real world video or interactive virtual video for students to see skiing in action! I recommend using nearpod, virtual reality or even a youtube video. Here is a great video with music background and takes you on a whole trip in the mountains.