Hibernation Activities for Preschool: Classroom Winter Inquiry

This free classroom lesson introduces hibernation through play, observation, and simple data collection. Students care for classroom “animals,” make predictions, and record what happens as they learn how some animals survive winter.

Overview

Students investigate how animals behave during winter by observing, sorting, and recording information about hibernating and non-hibernating animals. A classroom hibernation cave becomes a long-term observation tool. Children estimate how long animals sleep and track the passing days using counting and simple graphs.

Subject Connections

Science learning focuses on animal behavior and how living things survive seasonal change. Math skills appear through counting days, making estimates, sorting, and creating simple class graphs. English Language Arts skills develop through discussion, vocabulary use, and drawing or labeling observations.

Learning Goals

• Identify animals that hibernate and animals that stay active
• Understand that hibernation is a survival behavior during winter
• Sort and classify objects using observable features
• Make predictions and compare them to real results
• Record information using drawings, counting, and simple charts

Materials

• Small stuffed animals (bears or woodland animals)
• Large box decorated as a cave
• Chart paper or whiteboard
• Sticky notes or name cards
• Picture cards of woodland animals
• Graph paper or poster paper
• Markers, crayons, glue, scissors
• Student journals or drawing paper
• Calendar display

Preparation

• Decorate a classroom box to resemble a cave.
• Create animal picture cards showing hibernators and non-hibernators.
• Prepare a large class chart labeled “How long will they sleep?”
• Designate a daily counting time on the classroom calendar.

Teaching Procedure

Session 1 – Meeting the Winter Animals

1. Students sit in a circle and place their stuffed animals beside them while the teacher leads a discussion about winter and cold weather.
2. Teacher introduces the idea that some animals sleep all winter and asks students to predict which animals might do this.
3. Students sort their stuffed animals into groups based on observable features such as size, color, or type and describe what they notice.
4. Teacher records student observations and introduces the word “hibernate,” followed by students drawing one animal in their journals.

Session 2 – The Hibernation Cave

1. Teacher reads a short explanation about animals preparing for winter and explains that the classroom animals will now hibernate.
2. Students place their stuffed animals into the cave box one at a time and quietly close the lid.
3. Each student estimates how many days the animals will sleep and places a name card next to a number on the prediction chart.
4. Students illustrate their prediction in their journals.

Session 3 – Tracking Winter Days

1. During daily calendar time, the class counts one more day of hibernation and records the number on a long counting strip.
2. Students help update a classroom tally chart showing how many days the animals have been sleeping.
3. Teacher shows pictures of different woodland animals and students decide if each animal hibernates or stays active.
4. Students complete a cut-and-paste activity grouping animals into two columns: sleeping animals and awake animals.

Session 4 – Graphing and Comparing

1. Students glue animal pictures onto a class graph separating hibernating and non-hibernating animals.
2. Teacher guides students in counting how many animals are in each group.
3. Students discuss which group has more and which has fewer.
4. Students draw the graph results in their journals.

Session 5 – Spring Awakening

1. After several weeks, teacher announces the arrival of spring and opens the cave.
2. Students remove animals and compare the real number of days to their predictions.
3. Teacher helps students identify whose estimate was closest and why estimates can differ.
4. Students write or draw one thing they learned about hibernation.

Assessment

Students demonstrate understanding by correctly grouping animals, participating in counting and graphing activities, and explaining that hibernation is winter sleep. Review journals and graph work for evidence of prediction, observation, and comparison.

Differentiation

• Provide pre-cut animal cards for students with fine motor difficulties.
• Offer verbal response options instead of writing.
• Challenge advanced students to explain why food and temperature affect animal behavior.

Grade Adaptation

This lesson is primarily designed for preschool learners who are developing early sorting, counting, and observation skills through play. Kindergarten students can use the activities with added expectations such as labeling drawings or recording simple numbers on charts. Grade 1 students should use the lesson as small-group reinforcement rather than whole-class instruction.

Extension Ideas

• Create a pretend animal den in the dramatic play area.
• Observe outdoor animal tracks or photos of winter habitats.
• Make a class book describing how different animals survive winter.