When the temperature drops and chilly winds blow in, it’s the perfect time of year to stay inside and watch some videos! In these winter videos for kids, you’ll learn about animals that thrive in freezing weather, explore areas where winter is the best time of year, and more. There’s something here for every age and interest, but take time to preview videos to ensure they’re appropriate for your audience.
1. Destination World: Antarctica
Head to a place where it feels like winter year-round! Learn facts about the southernmost continent and see some of the animals that make their home there.
2. Winter at the North Pole
Travel to the other side of the globe and visit the Great White North, where polar bears reign supreme. Find out how northern animals like seals and arctic foxes live in this snowy landscape.
3. The Mitten
In this retelling of a classic Ukrainian folktale, Nicki loses his white mitten in the snow. The story follows a host of curious woodland creatures as they happen upon it. This version is told by the author and illustrator herself, the incomparable Jan Brett.
4. Animals With Winter Coats
Humans stay inside or bundle up to keep warm, but what do animals do? Some migrate or hibernate, but others need to put on their “winter coats.”
5. Winterlude
In this episode of Are We There Yet?, Joanna and Julia head to Canada for a winter festival. We’re talking gigantic ice sculptures, an ice maze, a huge ice slide, and some good old-fashioned ice skating. Such a cool way to show how climate shapes culture!
6. A Creature Winter Wonderland
Stuck indoors for recess on a snowy day? Show this full episode of Wild Kratts, which explores all the cool animals that live and thrive in the cold north.
7. All About Winter Sports
Snowy weather doesn’t keep everyone indoors! Skiing, ice skating, sledding, and other fun activities make the most of winter weather.
8. Russia in Winter
Much of Russia experiences very cold and snowy winters. Join Julia and Joanna as they go sledding in Russia and explore the country and its culture.
9. Bert is All Dressed Up for Winter
Little ones especially will get a kick out of this silly bit in which Bert helps his friends get their warm winter clothes on the right way. Because your scarf doesn’t go on your nose, guys.
10. What is a Blizzard?
How is a snowstorm different from a real blizzard? Find out in this informative video from SciShow.
11. Henry Holton Takes The Ice
Teachers and kids both love Storyline Online, where celebrities read children’s books aloud. In this one, comedian Ray Romano reads a wonderful book that challenges gender stereotypes.
12. Winter Solstice for Kids
When you ask kids about winter holidays, they’ll probably bring up Christmas or Valentine’s Day. But what about Winter Solstice? Get five fun facts about this holiday.
13. How a Snowflake is Formed
Come for the cartoony goodness; stay for the scientific knowledge. In this clip, brothers and animal experts Martin and Chris Kratt transform into tiny humans to get a closer look at how snowflakes form.
14. Oregon Zoo Snow Day
Check out what happens when river otters, cheetahs, and an Asian elephant get their first taste of snow. What a great opportunity to talk about habitats!
15. How It’s Made: Hot Chocolate
Kids and adults love videos of how things are made. In honor of the hot drink of choice of winter, we’ve included this video on how Tweetsie Fudge Works makes their famous hot chocolate.
16. The Snowy Day
When The Snowy Day came out in 1962, it was one of the first major children’s books to feature a Black protagonist. It became a huge hit, and with good reason. Watch this charming story come to life in this animated read-aloud.
17. Winter on the Farm
This is a lovely little history lesson! Adapted from the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, this is a winter story about Laura’s future husband, Almanzo, when he was a young boy.
18. Snowplows in Action
Got any truck-loving kiddos? They’ll be mesmerized by this video of snowplows battling the elements to keep the roads clear! Filmed by storm chaser Dan Robinson.
19. Snow Falling on a Lake
You know how when it’s snowing outside, everyone loves to stare out the window? You can recreate that! Put this on the screen, and give your students (and yourself) some calm down time. Or put it on in the background during silent reading or independent work time.
20. There Are Different Kinds of Snow?
Molly of Denali is the first children’s show to feature an Alaska Native main character. In this clip, Molly’s grandpa teaches her about the different types of snow and the corresponding words in the Gwich’in language.
21. Five Animals That Do Winter Better Than You
We just love this concept, and it’s chock full of interesting information like how arctic foxes basically have their own GPS. All your kids are going to want their own personal pika.
22. Snowman Freeze
Brain break? Don’t mind if we do. This is a cute little ditty that will get your kids up and moving.
23. Snowstorm in a Jar
Warning: you and your students are going to want to try this one once you see this tutorial. And it’s not just pretty to look at. You can use it to teach weather, density, and more!
24. Winter Solstice
This quick clip from Nature Cat does a great job of explaining why the winter solstice is the shortest day of the year. ’90s hip-hop group joke for your benefit.
25. Brave Irene
Another offering from Storyline Online, this video features former Vice President Al Gore reading Brave Irene, in which a dressmaker’s plucky daughter braves a fierce snowstorm to deliver a new gown to the duchess.
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Plus, classic Sesame Street videos that are still relevant for today’s kids.
