Winter Schoolyard Explorations

What can you do in your schoolyard in the winter, when snow is on the ground and tree branches are bare? Sooooo many things, with children of all ages! We would like to invite you and your school to bring your students outside for hands-on learning all winter!

Our Living Schoolyard Activity Guide has an abundance of ideas to help you get started, contributed by organizations across the USA. Click here to download your free copy of this engaging online book which includes the full directions for each of the ideas mentioned below, and more than 200 other activities that can be used year-round.

Try the activities below when snow is on the ground and temperatures are below freezing!

Photo: Shari Wilson

Tree Wonder

Author: Project Central, Kansas City, Kansas
Ages: 5-9 years old

Take your class outside when tree branches are bare in the winter. Spend time observing the branch structure of different types of trees, measure the angles between branches, and record observations with annotated drawings.
— See page 31 for directions.

Photo: Sharon Danks

Frozen Schoolyard Art Gallery

Author: Green Schoolyards America,
Berkeley, California
Ages: 3-7 years old

Collect interesting natural elements from the schoolyard landscape, and freeze them inside small disks of ice to create a temporary schoolyard art gallery.
— See page 40 for directions.

Photo: Matt McKay

Team Building:
The Amazing Winter Race!

Author: Wisconsin Green Schools Network,
Columbus, Wisconsin
Ages: 10-18+ years old

In this activity, students work on team cooperation and fuel their competitive spirit as they race through winter group challenges, including: the sled pull, a five-man snowshoe walk, a GPS sprint, and a snowball throwing competition.
— See page 74 for directions.

Photo: Learning by Nature

Subnivian Explorations

Author: Learning by Nature, Bozeman, Montana
Ages: 8-12 years old

In this science activity, students dig a snow pit to investigate the space in and under the snow-pack. They carefully excavate layers of snow to learn more about winter weather patterns and the wildlife, plants, and people who interact with snow.
— See page 163 for directions.

We hope you have a good time in the snow! Please write to us at info(at)greenschoolyards.org and share photos of your winter schoolyard adventures.