Wonderful Winter - Exploring, Creating, and Staying Cosy this Season

January is often seen as the month of new beginnings, offering a gentle opportunity for reflection and quiet contemplation. With colder weather and longer evenings, it becomes an ideal time to enjoy cosy indoor activities, encouraging calm, comfort, and creativity.

At the same time, January provides a wonderful chance to explore winter weather and its impact on nature - noticing seasonal changes, observing who the environment adapts, and discovering the beauty of the outdoors in colder conditions. It is also a great moment to learn about ways to stay warm and active outside, embracing movement and fresh air even during the chilliest days.

Below are some lovely ideas to help you and families make the most of the winter season with young children.

• Frosty nature walks - look for icy patterns, crunchy leaves, animal footprints, and winter colours.
• Weather watch and observe how winter changes the sky, trees, and ground. Talk about the cold wind and frost.
• Keep-warm movement games - simple activities like running races, jumping games, or 'follow the leader' help children stay warm while having fun.
• Winter treasure hunt - create a list of things to find outdoors - pinecones, berries, icicles or winter birds.
• Winter story corner snuggle up with season books, fairy tales, or stories about snow and animals.
• Hot chocolate cafe role play - set up pretend cafe with cups, menus, and cosy treats. Great for imagination and language skills.
• Winter sensory trays - use cotton wool, ice cubes, silver glitter, scoops, and winter animals for hands-on exploration.
• Ice decorations - freeze water with leaves or berries in moulds, then hang them outside to sparkle in the cold.
• Winter colour mixing - explore blues, whites, greys, and purples to create frosty images.

Winter Wellbeing and Warmth

• Healthy winter snacks - warm soups, baked apples, or porridge topped with fruit.
• Staying warm outdoors - talk about layers, hats, gloves, and scarves and why our bodies need them.
• Mindful moments - gentle breathing, soft music, or candle‑style lights create a calm winter atmosphere.

Celebrating the Season

Winter is a wonderful opportunity for children to learn about nature, explore new sensations, and enjoy comforting routines. Whether indoors or outdoors, these activities help build curiosity, creativity, and resilience - all while making magical memories.