Winter Wonderland Lesson Plan Winter Wonderland Centers
Preschool (3-4 years old) • 30 Minutes
Why This Matters
These activities provide a fun and inclusive way for preschoolers to develop crucial foundational skills necessary for future academic success, while celebrating diverse winter holidays and the season.
Objective
Students will engage in choice-based activities that foster fine motor skills, introduce early literacy and numeracy concepts, and encourage creative expression within a winter and holiday theme.
Materials Needed
White & blue construction paper
Cotton balls & Glue sticks
Markers, Crayons, Glitter, Sequins
Pom-poms & Beads
Pipe cleaners & Yarn
Index cards (Pattern cards)
Winter Playdough (white/blue)
Holiday cookie cutters
Counters (buttons, gems)
Number & Letter cards
Teacher Prep
20 MIN
• Review the activity sheets and slide deck.
• Print and cut templates or pattern cards.
• Set up 3 distinct stations: Craft, Bracelets, and Playdough.
• Organize materials for independent student choice.
Instructional Steps
5
Introduction to Centers
Gather students and use the Winter Wonderland Slides to introduce the three choices. Highlight the "sparkly snowflakes," "colorful bracelets," and "squishy playdough." Emphasize the rotation and choice.
20
Choice Center Time
Students choose one of the three stations. Circulate to support fine motor development and ask open-ended questions.
SNOWFLAKE CRAFT
PATTERN BRACELETS
PLAYDOUGH FUN
5
Clean-Up & Wrap-Up
Give a 2-minute warning. Guide students in putting away materials. Gather for a quick cool-down discussion: "What was your favorite activity?" or "What did you discover?"
Winter Wonderland Slide Deck ❄️ Winter Wonderland Centers! ☃️
Today we're going on a winter adventure with three fun activities to choose from!
Get ready to explore, create, and learn!
Teacher: Welcome students and introduce the theme of winter and holidays.
Crafting Snowflakes!
Snowflake Symphony Craft
Cut out a snowflake shape!
Glue on fluffy cotton balls!
Add glitter or markers for sparkle!
This helps your fingers get strong!
Building Holiday Patterns!
Holiday Pattern Bracelets
Choose colorful beads!
Put them on a pipe cleaner!
Can you make a pattern?
Red, Green, Red, Green!
Playing with Winter Playdough!
Winter Playdough Fun
Squish and roll the playdough!
Use cookie cutters to make shapes!
Find numbers and letters!
This helps your hands and minds learn!
A
1
Great Work, Winter Explorers!
What was your favorite activity today?
What did you create or learn today?
You all did a wonderful job!
Snowflake Symphony Craft Activity Snowflake Symphony
Craft Activity
OUR GOAL
We will make fluffy, sparkly snowflakes to help our finger muscles get strong!
STUFF WE NEED
Snowflake Shapes
Cotton Balls
Glue Sticks
Glitter & Markers
HOW TO MAKE IT
1
CHOOSE
Pick a white or blue snowflake shape.
2
ADD SNOW
Put glue on your snowflake. Press fluffy cotton balls on top!
3
DECORATE
Add glitter, sequins, or markers to make it sparkly!
4
SHOW IT OFF
Show your snowflake to a friend or hang it up to dry!
Holiday Pattern Bracelets Activity Holiday Bracelets
Pattern Activity
OUR GOAL
We will make colorful bracelets with patterns. This helps us count and recognize colors!
STUFF WE NEED
Pipe Cleaners
Colorful Beads
Pattern Cards
HOW TO MAKE IT
1
PICK A COLOR
Choose a colorful pipe cleaner.
2
CHOOSE BEADS
Find your favorite color beads!
3
Make a Pattern!
Can you make a pattern? Like Red , then Green , then Red !
Look at the pattern cards for ideas!
4
COUNT THEM
How many beads are on your bracelet?
5
WEAR IT
Twist the ends to wear your creation!
Winter Playdough Fun Activity Winter Playdough
Sensory & Math Fun
OUR GOAL
We will squish and roll playdough to make winter shapes, numbers, and letters!
STUFF WE NEED
Playdough
Cookie Cutters
Number Cards
Letter Cards
Gems/Buttons
Playdough Missions
1
Squish and Roll!
Make a big ball, a tiny ball, or a long "snake" with your dough.
2
Make Shapes!
Use cookie cutters to press stars, trees, or snowflakes into the dough.
3
Number Hunt
Pick a number card!
1
2
3
Can you make that many little dough balls?
4
Letter Trace
Pick a letter card!
A
Try to build that letter using your playdough snakes!
5
Count the Gems!
Press buttons or gems into your dough. How many can you find?
Winter Center Templates Snowflake Symphony Templates
Teacher: Photocopy onto white or blue construction paper. Cut around the circles.
Pattern Bracelet Cards
Teacher: Cut into strips and laminate for reuse at the center.
AB PATTERN (Red - Green)
AABB PATTERN (Blue - Blue - Silver - Silver)
ABC PATTERN (Red - Gold - Green)
Playdough Task Cards
Teacher: Cut and laminate. Students press or build numbers/letters.
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