8 Winter Sports Read Alouds for Kindergarten
Winter is the perfect time to learn about winter sports in your kindergarten classroom, especially every four years when it’s time for worldwide winter games! While we can’t necessarily recreate winter sporting events indoors, we can capture the spirit behind them through read alouds, classroom discussions, and fun activities! These winter sports read alouds are perfect for introducing winter activities and sports like ice skating, sledding, hockey, and skiing.
Winter Sports Read Alouds for Kindergarten
Dream Big, Little Pig! by Kristi Yamaguchi
Inspired by Kristi Yamaguchi’s own childhood, this story follows Poppy, a determined pig who dreams of becoming a figure skater. With practice, encouragement, and perseverance, Poppy learns that big dreams are possible when you keep trying!
A is for Axel: An Ice Skating Alphabet by Kurt Browning
Here’s another book written by a professional ice skater! This alphabet book introduces students to the world of ice skating through skating terms, movements, and concepts. Each letter highlights a different part of the sport. It’s especially helpful for building vocabulary and background knowledge.
Mr. Putter & Tabby Hit the Slope by Cynthia Rylant
Here’s a charming story your students will love! Mr. Putter and his cat want something fun to do in the winter, so they decide to go sledding. What happens when they go to the sledding hill, and will the cat and neighbor’s dog sled, too? The illustrations and fun story will entertain your students for sure!
Z is for Zamboni by Matt Napier
This is another alphabet book, and this one introduces a variety of hockey vocabulary, equipment, and concepts, including the beloved Zamboni!
Learning to Ski with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen
When Mr. Magee decides to learn how to ski, things don’t go quite as planned, leading to a fast-paced, humorous adventure down the mountain. This rhyming story is a delight to read aloud!
Tacky and the Winter Games by Helen Lester
Tacky and his penguin friends compete in the Winter Games, although Tacky brings his own special uniqueness! This silly story is excellent for teaching about teamwork, and the idea that success doesn’t always look the same for everyone.
Olympig! by Victoria Jamieson
This story follows a pig who may not be the fastest or strongest but never gives up. With determination and heart, Olympig shows that effort matters more than winning.
A Day for Skating by Sarah Sullivan
This sweet, simple story follows a child enjoying a winter day of skating with family. It talks about the importance of getting back up after you fall down and the joy of being together in the winter. Your students will love seeing who comes to skate after the sun goes down!
A Meaningful Craft to Tie It All Together
After reading one (or several) of these winter sports books, spend some time reflecting on ways your students can persevere or achieve what they want to achieve. This simple torch craft has the writing prompt “I SHINE when I…”, inviting your students to draw or write about something they can do or a way they can be helpful!
This craft also makes a great bulletin board that celebrates effort, perseverance, and growth.
Enjoy These Winter Sports Read Alouds in Your Classroom!
Stories about trying your best and supporting one another help build a strong classroom community, and learning about winter sports is the perfect way to lead this discussion in February! These read alouds open the door for meaningful conversations about effort, practice, and teamwork. Extending the discussion with this torch craft gives students a hands-on way to celebrate their own hard work and talents!
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