Activities for The Snowy Day

There are a lot of great winter-themed books that lend themselves to activities in the classroom or at home, and it’s great to read and explore winter books after the holiday break because it makes getting back to school a little more fun (and maybe gets kids dreaming of snow days, too).

Of course one of the classics of winter literature for kids is The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. It’s a classic because it expresses the joy of exploring on a snowy day, which can get kids thinking about what they would like to do on a snow day.

Kids can draw their own snowman and snow angel, or write about or draw what they would do on a snow day.

Homeschoool Creations has a good free printable activity pack that includes some writing practice, drawing and cutting lines, vocabulary, writing practice and sorting winter clothes and summer clothes.

Homeschool Share has a printable Snowy Day lapbook that includes sequencing cards, making a snowman with simple shapes, counting snowballs in the pocket, things that are white and more.

Make your own pretty snowflakes with this craft idea from Mama Jenn. These would be so cute to decorate the classroom with!

Deep Space Sparkle has a fun process art activity for making kids playing in the snow just like Peter did.

I love this little Peter doll from Wildflower Ramblings, which you could make for use in retelling the story, or kids could make out of paper instead of felt.

Anita Bremer has a 79 page activity guide on her Teachers Pay Teachers site that includes story elements, vocabulary, making connections, comprehension activities, a craft and more. Mrs. Wills Kindergarten has another set of paid resources, including writing and drawing prompts, that are part of her January activity pack on TPT.

Here are some more “Snow Day” Books

Snow Day! by Barbara Joosse – A delightful picture book suitable for young children. The story captures the joy of a snowy day

Snow Day by Mercer Mayer – Another charming picture book that explores the magic of a snowy day. Recommended for early readers

The Snow Day by Komako Sakai – A beautifully illustrated book suitable for children who enjoy quieter, reflective stories.

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Fun Winter Sensory Activities for Kids

The celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe is important throughout Mexico and other parts of the world. Her feast day is Dec. 12, and the celebrations honoring her appearance to Juan Diego in 1531 begin a few days before that.

Whether you celebrate yourself or just want to share about the celebration at home or in your classroom, Las Mañanitas: The Beautiful Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a good place to start. The book, by Ernesto Joel Vega Rosales and Jeanette Gonzalez Seneviratne, with illustrations by Dana Sanmar, tells the story of a family’s celebration of the feast day in both English and Spanish.

They prepare with a novena, which is nine days of prayers and preparations. The children, Lucia and Pablo, are given special outfits made by their grandmother that look like what Juan Diego might have worn when he saw Our Lady. The book describes the prayers that are made each day, such as a prayer for respect for life, for families and for the indigenous people of the Americas, to name a few.

As told in the book, Juan Diego was a native Mexican born near modern day Mexico City. His given name was Cuaauhtlatoatzin, which means “He who speaks like an eagle.” When he converted to Christianity his name was changed to Juan Diego, and as he walked to church he passed a hill called Tepeyac. One day he heard the birds singing especially beautifully and a voice called him to go to the top of the hill.

There he saw Our Lady of Guadalupe, who asked him to tell the bishop she wanted a chapel built in her name at the foot of the hill. The bishop asked for a sign that Juan Diego really saw her, and later she had him collect flowers that she blessed and take them to the bishop. When Juan Diego dropped the flowers, an image of Our Lady could be seen on his cloak, which is still on display in her basilica to this day.

The feast day is celebrated as mañanitas, which includes singing, indigenous music and dancing, and children presenting flowers to Our Lady. Juan Diego is remembered today as being humble, brave and faithful, and was the first indigenous American made a saint.

The book is colorful and tells the story in a clear way, and it’s fun to have it both in English and Spanish if you teach Spanish or speak Spanish at home or in the classroom. It’s a great way to learn the basics of the celebration and the story of Juan Diego and why he is still remembered today.

About the book: 40 pages, paperback, published 2024 by Loyola Press. Suggested retail price $14.99.

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