Winter Activities (Decmber – March)

Are you looking for some activities to do outside with your K-12 class this winter? Whether or not you have a growing space, there are plenty of BC Curriculum-based activities to do with your students. Keep in mind that activities will vary depending on where you are in the province; they might be possible earlier/later than suggested here.

	In the Garden Learning activities to enjoy in your own schoolyard this Winter. Though the garden gets put to bed this season, there’s still much to explore and observe outdoors. You can also start planning for when the warmth returns next Spring.
Name Description Developed by Winter Garden Play Explore the wonders of the winter garden with ice wreaths, frozen bubbles, animal tracking, and more! Megan Zeni shares ideas for playing and learning in the winter garden. Megan Zeni Winter Bird-Friendly Garden Observe and study winter birds, brainstorm ways to support them, and create a garden habitat to provide food and shelter throughout the season. Kids Gardening Frozen Treasures Use colourful ice-cube “gems” to inspire winter garden exploration through a playful treasure hunt. Kids Gardening Plant Signage Use indoor time to research, design, construct, and paint signs for the garden. Part of the Learning from the Land Toolkit. F2SBC Plan for Spring Use F2SBC’s planting calendars and crop cards to engage students in planning the garden. F2SBC Seed Donations Request free seeds from West Coast Seeds through its community seed donation program. West Coast Seeds
	On the Land Learning activities to engage students beyond your schoolyard this Winter. Travel off school grounds with your class for new outdoor learning experiences. Observe the winter flora and fauna, including local birds or learn to tap maple trees if you have some growing nearby.
Name Description Developed by Winter Scavenger Hunt Encourage students to explore their neighbourhood in search of winter flora and fauna. SPEC Backyard Birds Winter is a wonderful time for bird observation. Use this lesson plan, along with its activities and resources, to spark curiosity about the birds in your community. SPEC Forcing Winter Blooms Bring spring to your classroom early with this plant science inquiry forcing deciduous flowering trees and shrubs to bud early. Kids Gardening Big Leaf Maple Syrup Tap maple trees near your schoolyard and make pancakes with your own maple syrup. Hoyt Arboretum Loose Parts Play Collect natural loose parts during a walk around the schoolyard and use them to create sensory trays for letter writing and exploration. Little Pine Learners
	In the Classroom There’s fun to be had inside the classroom as well! When weather isn’t a factor, you can grow year-round and plan your harvests. Connect food and indoor growing to your science curriculum with garden soil testing and brighten up the room with microgreens.
Name Description Developed by Earth as an Apple Use an apple as a model of the Earth in this hands-on lesson exploring the limited availability and importance of topsoil. Soil Science Society of America Soil Testing Get to know your garden soil with three hands-on soil-testing activities designed to help students explore the soil in their school garden. SPEC Food Waste Use this lesson and accompanying resources to help students understand food waste and its environmental impacts. Get inspired to conduct a classroom waste audit! Hands on Food Grow Microgreens Brighten up the winter classroom by growing microgreens and enjoy a nutrient-packed snack in as little as three weeks! Kids Gardening
	In the Kitchen Inviting your class into the kitchen takes some extra time to prepare, but once routines are established, cooking can be the highlight of the week for students. Teach your students to cook and enjoy seasonal local foods with these Winter activities.