Winter Magic in EYFS: Turning Frosty Days into Learning Adventures. A blog post by MrsG_EYFS.
It struck me this year just how much winter topics truly belong to the Spring term. Strange, isn’t it? But it’s true! Two out of three of our winter months are in the first half of the Spring term. So, this year I have decided to embrace the season and kick off January with a Frozen Planet theme.
Like many, my return after Christmas was a chilly one. The alarm rang, and honestly, I didn’t want to leave the warmth of my bed. But two weeks had passed and Christmas was over (I love my job, but getting out of bed on a cold morning is never fun!) Then, five minutes after the children arrived—snow began to fall. Real snow! And in Cornwall!! Suddenly, all my plans flew out the window. We bundled up and headed outside to make the most of this magical moment, because why wouldn’t you? What a perfect way to launch our topic! We discussed freezing and melting, snow sticking to the ground, the change in our environment, what it felt like under our feet and so much more. A true wow moment that doesn’t happen often enough.
But then I began to wonder… how would I keep this level of excitement alive for the weeks ahead without the snowy start to the day?
Going off plan
Firstly, I think it is important to remember that our weather is forever changeable and cannot be predicted (four days after the snow we had a red weather warning for wind and a weekend with no electricity or water so point proven!). When looking at topics that link to the seasons it is so important to make the most of the different experiences as they pop up.
Just like I did today. Was I going to make my children sit in a circle and take part in an adult directed activity when there was real life snow falling in their outdoor area? No! Of course not. Especially where we live. We might not see snow again for another three years! Even though I moved away from the day’s planning the
learning opportunities and discussions that came from our play in the snow were incredible. Far more learning was achieved from this than what I had initially planned. Will we catch up with the circle time that was missed? Most probably. Will it be done in an adult directed activity or worked into provision, probably provision, but we will catch up. Wow moments are just that and need to be experienced. Get out there and let them get those first hand experiences when they can, not when your planning says so.
Seasonal Stories and Songs
We all know British weather loves to keep us guessing! The seasons don’t always look the way we expect—what we remember from childhood or what those glossy resource packs and videos show isn’t always reality. That’s why stories and songs are such powerful tools in the early years. They help us bring the magic of winter to life, even when the frost is nowhere to be seen.
In my classroom, we plan our songs for the term and link them to our topic wherever we can (though we still enjoy plenty of old favourites too!). The same goes for our books—we have a class book spine and a special spot in our book corner dedicated to seasonal reads. This gives children the chance to dive deeper into winter: exploring snowy illustrations, listening to exciting stories set in icy landscapes, and learning about animals they might never see in their local environment. It’s a simple way to keep the wonder of the season alive and spark curiosity every day.
Outside – even when it’s wet!
I’ll be honest—until recently, I wasn’t the biggest fan of being outdoors in all weathers. But as a family, we made a resolution to get outside as much as possible, and I’ve decided to bring that same mindset into the classroom. In the past, I was guilty of avoiding outdoor play when it rained (our outdoor area has zero shelter!), but this year things are different. I’ve invested in good waterproofs, and I’m determined to embrace the weather—rain or shine.
Here’s the thing: children love being out in the rain. It’s exciting, it’s fun, and it’s something many adults shy away from. As long as it’s safe and they’ve got waterproofs and wellies, what’s the harm in jumping in puddles and experiencing the world first-hand? Honestly, the only barrier is us.
So what do we need to do? (This is what I told myself.) Get over it! If I get wet, so what? The children have explored, played, and learned through real experiences—and that’s what we’re here to facilitate. Of course, not all winter learning needs to happen outdoors. There are plenty of activities that work brilliantly inside. But remember, some children in your class might not get outside much at the weekend.
So how do we turn those frosty days into exciting learning adventures? It’s simple. Wrap up, grab your coat, and head out there—you’ll be surprised how much joy and learning those frosty (or rainy!) adventures bring.
MrsG has been teaching in Primary Schools, specialising in EYFS and KS1 for the last 13 years. She has taught across both key stages working as an Assistant Head, before heading back into the classroom full time after having her children. MrsG is now Senior Teacher in a small school, where she teaches in EYFS. She also works with ECTs supporting them with planning, workload, job applications and interview technique through her Instagram account instagram.com/mrsg_eyfs