An ice and snow theme for toddlers is a fun and engaging way to introduce the wonders of winter!

This theme invites lots of opportunities for sensory play, stories, and creative activities. Toddlers can explore the cold, sparkly world of snow and ice in the comfort of a warm home. This theme encourages imaginative play, from pretending to have a snowball fight, to creating snowy landscapes. Plus, it’s a perfect way to talk about winter weather, seasonal changes, and the beauty of the natural world!

Snow and Ice Book List For Toddlers

Reading books on theme helps create background knowledge for children. I have compiled my favorite Snow and Ice Winter themed picture books to read with your toddlers. Use this list at the library, click the icons to read a review on Goodreads or purchase on Amazon.

Snow and Ice Winter Theme Activities For Toddlers

Here are easy and quick Snow and Ice Winter themed toddler activities for busy moms and dads. You’ll find enough activity ideas to help you through a full week of Snow and Ice play.

Seasonal Senses

• Outdoor winter gear

I know it is winter but take a moment and bundle everyone up and go for
a walk. Use your senses along the way. What do you hear, see, smell and
what can you touch? Pick a favorite spot and visit it often. Compare how
it looks as the seasons change

Snowball Toss

• 6 Pieces (or more) of computer paper or newsprint

Make six “snowballs” by crumpling newspaper or computer paper up into ball shapes and covering them with white tissue paper. Take turns tossing the six snowballs into a large tub or laundry basket. Working on counting? Count as you toss each snowball into the basket.

Fingerprint Snowflakes

Have your children glue pre-cut snow people shapes onto dark blue construction paper.

Add details with crayons.

Pour small amounts of white tempera paint over sponges placed in shallow pans. Have your child press their finger into the sponge and make fingerprint “snowflakes” all over the page. I found just dipping my finger directly into the paint worked better!

Smooshy Snowmen

• White play dough
• various items to decorate with- beads, buttons, baby carrots, fuzzy sticks, yarn, cloth, etc…

Provide your child with white play dough. Help your child to create three
“snowballs” of graduated sizes. (great time to talk about small medium
and large). Pile the balls to make a “snowman”. Use various items to
decorate your snowmen – beads, buttons, baby carrots, fuzzy sticks, yarn,
cloth, etc…

Frozen Treasures

• Cupcake tin
• Water
• Filler of your choice
• A small mallet or solid stick
• Food coloring* optional
• Rocks* optional

Borrowed from Tinkergarten, Frozen Treasures is all about discovery! Fill your cupcake tins halfway with water and freeze. Once frozen add fillers of your choice. In Tinkergarten we use sticks and leaves, flowers and acorns. However, you can use toys or beads or Legos. Whatever you child will feel motivated to break out of the ice. Place items on top of ice in each section and add more water. Allow to freeze completely. If you are using food coloring, add it to the water before it freezes. FInally, remove the frozen blocks from the tin. Present them to your toddler with a mallet or rocks. Encourage them to try to break open the ice and reveal the treasures within.

Ice and Snow Media Links

Here are some toddler friendly links to YouTube videos about ice and snow. I know we all hesitate to purposefully put our toddlers in front of a screen, but it does happen. So, you might as well have some quality links to head to.

• Alright, Its White – song by Story Bots about the color white
• Little Snowflake– Super Simple Songs
• Winter Song – Cocomelon
• Sneezy the Snowman by Maureen Wright – Read Aloud by Happy Cultivated
• Blippi Visits The Ice Rink

An ice and snow theme is a fun, hands-on way for toddlers to experience the magic of winter indoors. Through sensory play, stories, and creative activities, they can learn about cold weather and create a winter wonderland while exploring new ideas. The activities help with fine motor skills and sensory exploration. It’s a simple, engaging way to introduce toddlers to the unique beauty of winter!

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