Snow & Winter Baby Storytime
Brrrr, it’s time for a snowy storytime! Choose one of the following winter-themed baby storytime books and pair it with a couple of these songs and playtime ideas for more engagement and fun in your next Baby Storytime. I recommend repeating many of your rhymes and movement songs each week (repetition is key for cognitive development!), but sprinkling in new thematic songs and activities like the ones below to keep things fresh and exciting. Visit The Youth Desk’s Baby Storytime page for more detailed guidance.
Snow & Winter Baby Storytime Books
Winter Baby Storytime Songs & Rhymes
Here are my favorite snow-themed movement songs and rhymes for babies.
Let’s All Do a Little Clapping
Sing to the tune “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
Let’s all do a little clapping,
Let’s all do a little clapping,
Let’s all do a little clapping,
And spread winter cheer.
Let’s all do a little stomping…bouncing…stretching…
(Credit: Jbrary)
Snowflakes
Sing to the tune “Did You Ever See a Lassie.”
There’s a snowflake on my shoulder (Flutter fingers down from sky onto baby’s shoulder)
My shoulder, my shoulder
There’s a snowflake on my shoulder
And it’s melting away. (Gently rub baby’s shoulder)
There’s a snowflake on my kneecap…
There’s a snowflake on my tummy…
There’s a snowflake on my head…
There’s Something in the Snow with Puppets
Place animal puppets in a bag or bucket and pull each one out when appropriate. Puppets are one of the best ways to capture the wandering attentions of babies that I’ve found!
There’s something in the snow, now what can it be?
There’s something in the snow that I can’t really see?
Hear its funny sound…WHOO WHOO WHOO
An owl is what I found! (Fly owl puppet out of bag)
…WOOF WOOF WOOF…dog
…GRR GRR GRR…bear
“Snow on the Rooftops” by Kathy Reid-Naiman with Scarves
Play the song twice through while caregivers and babies play with scarves or sing it a cappella.
Snow on the rooftops, snow on the trees
Snow on the green grass, snow on me.
Snow on my mittens, snow on my nose
Snow on my head and snow on my toes.
Whirling, twirling swirling down
Down and down and down and down.
Winter Baby Playtime Activities
Ending storytime with free play is an excellent way for babies and caregivers to socialize and observe others. You don’t need anything fancy. Simply setting out blocks, musical instruments, or bean bags would suffice, but here are some snow-themed ideas to further enhance your program.
Snow Sensory Bins
Place actual snow or blended up ice in a sensory bin or on a baking tray. Let babies feel the chilly sensation of grabbing, dropping, and squeezing snow! You could also add toy penguins, polar bears, or other arctic creatures. If using baking trays, place the trays in the freezer before adding the snow to help the snow last longer. See BridgeWay Family Centre for more fun ways to play indoors with snow.
Snowballs
If you have the budget, this 30-pack of Snowball Fight Balls from Amazon is $16 and worth every penny, as you can use them in various winter-themed programs. Children like to hold, toss, and catch them. Set out a pile of snowballs with a bucket for little ones to toss or collect.
Puppets
Set out the animal puppets used in the storytime (Owl, Dog, Bear) for kiddos to enjoy. This Folkmanis Snowy Owl puppet is one of my all-time favorites.
