Although the Winter solstice is still over a week away. Many signs that winter has arrived can be seen all around. While some signs of winter’s arrival are universal, others will depend on where you are in the world.

This post is a part of the Get Outside and Connect Series. For more information click on the link.

Search for Signs of Winter

This week’s activity is to look all around for signs of Winter. My daughter and I like to point out the signs we see, hear, smell, and feel like it’s a scavenger hunt on our daily walks.  I find that it is a great way to teach kids about the seasons and their differences while having fun. It’s become a game that we like to play when the seasons begin to change.

Searching for the signs of Winter is also an educational activity. When learning about the tree’s that loose their leaves in the winter, children also begin to learn about the differences in trees. Most trees lose their leaves while evergreen trees don’t. Their curiosity will lead them to wonder why, and this opens the door to more learning opportunities. Some animals migrate or hibernate while others don’t, some crops are able to ripen while others go fallow, etc.

Below I have provided a list of some of the common signs that winter is approaching. I’m sure that I have missed many because different areas can have different signs based on where you live. Please add anything that I’ve missed in the comments below. I’d love to hear all about the signs that you are noticing appearing around you.

Signs of Winter:

Weather and the sun:

• The temperatures become colder and colder.
• You might be able to see your breath when breathing or speaking.
• Morning frost begins to appear.
• Rain, hail, and snow fall to the ground.
• Icicles can be found hanging from roof tops, trees etc.
• The blanket of snow on the ground grows thicker if you live where it snows.
• The days become shorter and shorter before they begin to grow longer after the Winter Solstice.

Plants:

• The tree’s become bare. (except evergreen trees)
• Grass doesn’t grow as fast.
• Winter flowers such as Hellebores, Winter Jasmine, and Snowdrops begin to bloom.
• Unless you have a greenhouse or live in an area that stays warm all year, the garden goes fallow.

Animals:

• Our pets and other animals shed less and grow a thicker winter coat.
• Many animals hibernate for the winter. (Bears, hedgehogs, etc.)
• Birds (and some animals) finish their migration south for the winter (geese, swallows, hawks, etc.)
• Invertebrates such as butterflies and ladybugs are gone until the spring.

Other Random Signs:

• You’re gas and/or energy bills starts to go up again as the heat is turned on more.
• Smoke can be seen and smelled coming out of chimney’s.
• People are bundled up in winter wear when outside.
• Watch out! You may get ambushed by a snowball!
• Christmas and holiday decorations can be seen everywhere.

Even though the solstice is still a little over a week away winter is starting to show up all around us. I’m sure you are beginning to see a lot more signs that the winter is near than I have listed above. So tell me… what signs have you noticed?

All of the other weekly outside activities in this series can be found at the following link:

• Get Outside & Connect 

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Nell Regan M.A.

Nell comes from a varied background with over 20 years of experience working with children and is the founder of Rhythms of Play. She believes in the wonder of childhood, the power of the imagination, learning through play, and getting outside in all seasons! Learn more…