DIY Homeschooler

It’s cold. What type of nature study activities can you do in the winter? Here are several ideas pulled from a variety of sources:

1. Make a bird feeder.

There are several great plans for building a simple bird feeder. Use a bird identification form and keep track of the birds that visit your feeder. You can also consider joining the backyard bird count.

• Activity: Make a Bird Feeder
  Ideas, plans for download, and other printables.
• The Complete Book of Birdhouse Construction
  Inexpensive book with step-by-step plans for constructing a birdhouse that will fit the birds in your area. Read our review that includes additional resources.
• Free Nature Studies: Landlord to the Birds
  Learn more about taking care of the birds in this section from our free nature study.
• Great Backyard Bird Count
  Starts in February.

2. Learn how animals hibernate in the winter.

What do animals do in the winter? How do they adapt to the cold weather? Who stays snug in the snow?

• Hibernation Unit Study {Free}
  Free unit that includes several great resources.
• Animals in Winter by Henrietta Bancroft
  A Let’s-Read-And-Find-Out Science book about what different animals do as the weather begins to turn cold. Nicely illustrated and informative read for younger children. Family favorite!
• Groundhog Day: A Unit Study
  Learn about one of the most famous hibernators!
• Nature Prepares for Winter
  ERIC lesson plan.

3. Track animal tracks.

What type of animals visit near your home in winter? Identify the animal tracks nearby. And follow them if you are brave!

• Tracks and Tracking {Free eBook}
  Resource for learning whose feet belong to those prints! Other printables here as well.
• Pocket Guide to Animal Tracks
  Free download to help with identification.
• Tracks in Winter
  Nature journal page from Ranger Rick.

4. View the constellations.

The winter sky is perfect for viewing and identifying the constellations. You may want to start indoors to learn what types of constellations you will likely see this time of year where you live. Then head out with your free Star Stories printable:

• Star Stories {Free eBook, Go-Alongs & Star Book Pages}
  Free book by the author of The Boxcar Children offers a fun story-like introduction to the constellations. We’ve provided a free “star pages” download taken from the book.
• Planetarium for Your Computer {Free}
  Start inside and learn what you will see in the night sky where you are.
• Find the Constellations by H.A. Rey
  A favorite for learning about the constellations from the author of the Curious George series.
• The Telescope: A Unit Study
  For those that want to really get the big picture.
• Free Nature Studies: The Solar System
  Part of our free nature studies with tons of sky-type resources!
• The Astronomy Book by Dr. Jonathan Henry
  The size of the universe, thoughts on the Big Bang theory, eclipses, constellations, space exploration, the sun, the planets, stars, galaxies, asteroids, and comets. Free The Astronomy Book Study Guide.

5. Investigate ice — freezing water in all of its forms.

Why does water freeze? What are the characteristics of ice? What is frost and why do you see it on your windows? You can experiment with the three states of matter, or read about glaciers, or investigate water and ice!

• Free Nature Studies: Water and Ice
  Glaciers, icebergs, and experiments!
• The Water Cycle: Snow Melt
  Information from the USGS on why that snow is particularly important in some areas.
• Water Cycle Poster & Placemat {Free!}
  Learn what ice and snow have to do with the water cycle.
• Winter Play
  Lots of suggestions for things to freeze.

6. Learn about the habits of owls.

Most places will find owls still busy outside. Winter is a good time to learn about owls and their habits. Can you spot one?

• Free Nature Studies: Bird Guardians
  Information, owl pellet resources, and even poetry!
• Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
  “If you go owling, you have to be quiet, that’s what Pa always says.” A young girl out looking for a great horned owl way past her bedtime on a cold winter night — something she waited a long time to do. Wonderful story and beautifully illustrated winner of the Caldecott Medal. “When you go owling you don’t need words or warm or anything but hope. That’s what Pa says.” Going “owling”?

7. What do trees look like in winter?

Most are rather unimpressive. But then there are conifers.

• Winter Tree Identification
  Free download at WoodlandTrust.org.uk.
• Meet the Conifers
  Nature page download from Ranger Rick.
• Nature Journal Notebooking Sets {Free Download}
  Free set of pages for drawing winter trees.
• The First Book of Trees {Free eBook}
  You’ll find information on all types of trees including conifers here.
• Free Nature Studies: Trees
  Tons more information, lots of resources, and downloads.

8. Chart the winter weather.

Is it cold where you live? What type of precipitation can you expect in the winter? Do you notice that the days are getting longer? Keep a temperature chart. Do you have snow? Sketch their pattern. Can you tell by looking at the clouds whether you will have rain or snow? Investigate the importance of snow in winter for areas that are typically dry during other seasons.

• Activity: Chart the Weather
  All kinds of resources including printables to chart the weather.

9. Enjoy a winter scavenger hunt.

What type of things can you search for in winter? Seeds? Cones? Bird tracks? Nests? Icicles? Or simply buried treasure?

• Winter Nature Walks
  Things to look for.
• Modify this Summer Fun Activity to a Winter Fun Scavenger Hunt!
  Lots of resources to help.

10. Experience winter from your cozy armchair.

When you’re all cold-weathered out, pour a cup of hot cocoa and visit cold places from the warmth of your couch!

• Antarctica: A Unit Study
  Lots of cold things to learn about there!
• Free History Studies: Elisha Kane & the Arctic
  Take an arctic expedition!
• The Inuits {Free Unit Study}
  Inuits know how to stay warm.
• 8 Winter Reading List Favorites
  Where the cold things are.
• 6 Free Books for Winter Reading
  Titles you may never heard of.
• The Life Savers {Free eBook & Activities}
  Very cold book with lots of ice…just saying.
• Feats on the Fiord {Free eBook & Activities}
  Glacier country.
• The First Book of Eskimos {Free eBook}
  What is it like to live in a cold climate?

Additional Resources

101 Things to Do Outside in the Winter
Need more ideas? How about 101 of them from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies?

Nature Study in Elementary Schools: January
Helps from a great free resource: Nature Study in Elementary Schools {Free Teacher’s Guide}.

A Kid’s Winter EcoJournal With Nature Activities for Exploring the Season by Toni Albert
Information and activities include making a nature wreath, building an observation bird feeder, making nature gifts, learning about hibernation, experimenting with snow and ice, tracking animals in the snow, making ice cream in a snow freezer, and a list of winter food for wild birds, among many others.

10 Ways to Overcome the February Blahs!
Other ways to enjoy winter.