Creative Winter Activities for Preschool Autism Classrooms Using The Mitten, The Hat, Snowy Day, and 10 on the Sled
- Heather
- Dec 29, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Winter offers a unique opportunity to engage preschool children, especially those with autism, in sensory-rich, interactive learning experiences. Books like The Mitten, The Hat, Snowy Day, and 10 on the Sled provide wonderful stories that can be transformed into hands-on activities tailored to the needs of young learners. These stories not only introduce winter themes but also support language development, social skills, and sensory exploration in autism classrooms.
This post explores practical ways to use these beloved winter books to create meaningful, enjoyable activities that foster learning and connection.
Using The Mitten to Build Language and Sensory Skills
The Mitten by Jan Brett tells the story of animals finding shelter in a lost mitten. This book is excellent for teaching sequencing, vocabulary, and sensory exploration.
Activity Ideas
Story Sequencing with Picture Cards
Create picture cards representing each animal that climbs into the mitten. After reading, children can arrange the cards in the order they appear in the story. This supports memory and understanding of story structure.
Sensory Mitten Exploration
Fill a mitten with different textured objects (soft fabric, cotton balls, small plastic animals). Let children reach inside and describe what they feel. This activity encourages sensory processing and descriptive language.
Animal Movement Game
Assign each child an animal from the story and encourage them to move like that animal. This promotes gross motor skills and imaginative play.
Here are some video links for quick easy use:
"Walking With The Penguins" by The Laurie Berkner Band
"The Penguin Dance" by Pink Fong
"Paw Paw Polar Bear" by Pink Fong
"The Polar Bear Pokey" by The Kiboomers
Here is the Amazon Affiliate link for The Mitten if you would like to support my content: https://amzn.to/3MZ8GrA
Engaging with The Hat to Encourage Social Interaction and Fine Motor Skills
The Hat by Jan Brett features a winter tale about a hat that travels through the forest. It offers opportunities to explore cause and effect, social interactions, and fine motor development.
Activity Ideas
Hat Pass Game
Use a real or paper hat and play a passing game while music plays. When the music stops, the child holding the hat shares a winter word or animal from the story. This encourages turn-taking and verbal expression.
Hat Crafting
Provide materials like paper, cotton balls, and glitter for children to create their own winter hats. This activity supports fine motor skills and creativity.
Story Retelling with Puppets
Use animal puppets or stuffed animals from the story to retell events. Children can practice social communication and narrative skills.
Here is the Amazon Affiliate link for The Hat if you would like to support my content:
Exploring Snowy Day to Foster Sensory Awareness and Independence
Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats captures the wonder of a child’s first experience with snow. It’s ideal for sensory activities and promoting independence.
Activity Ideas
Snow Sensory Bin
Create a sensory bin with fake snow or cotton balls. Add small winter items like toy snowmen, boots, and scarves. Children can explore textures and practice descriptive language.
Winter Dress-Up Relay
Set up a relay where children dress a doll or themselves with winter clothes like hats, mittens, and boots. This encourages independence and sequencing skills.
Snowy Day Story Walk
Take children on a walk around the classroom or playground, stopping to talk about winter items or actions from the book. This supports vocabulary and observation skills.
Here is the Amazon Affiliate link for The Snowy Day if you would like to support my content: https://amzn.to/4phUG9M
Using 10 on the Sled to Teach Counting and Cooperation
10 on the Sled by Kim Norman is a counting book featuring animals riding on a sled. It’s perfect for math skills and cooperative play.
Activity Ideas
Counting Animals on a Sled
Use animal figurines and a toy sled. Children can count the animals as they place them on the sled, reinforcing number recognition and one-to-one correspondence.
Sledding Role Play
Create a pretend sled with a large cardboard box or mat. Children can take turns “riding” and pushing the sled, promoting cooperation and gross motor skills.
Number Matching Game
Prepare cards with numbers 1 to 10 and animal pictures. Children match the number cards with the correct number of animals, supporting number concepts.
Here is the Amazon Affiliate link for Ten On The Sled if you would like to support my content: https://amzn.to/4awpDU6
Tips for Successful Winter Activities in Autism Classrooms
Use Visual Supports
Visual schedules, picture cards, and clear instructions help children understand and follow activities.
Incorporate Sensory Breaks
Winter-themed sensory activities can be calming and engaging but be ready to offer breaks if children become overwhelmed.
Encourage Communication
Use simple language and encourage children to express themselves through words, gestures, or communication devices.
Adapt Activities
Modify tasks to meet individual needs, such as simplifying steps or providing extra support.
Celebrate Efforts
Praise participation and progress to build confidence and motivation.
Winter stories like The Mitten, The Hat, Snowy Day, and 10 on the Sled provide rich opportunities to create engaging, educational activities for preschool autism classrooms. By combining storytelling with sensory play, movement, and social interaction, educators can support children’s development in a joyful and meaningful way.
I have also created a simple print and go winter animals coloring book. Bring winter learning to life with this adorable 10‑page Winter Animals Coloring Book, designed especially for preschool, Pre‑K, early childhood special education, and inclusive classrooms. Each page features bold outlines, simple shapes, and large coloring spaces to support fine‑motor development and success for all learners — including students with visual, motor, or sensory needs.
Perfect for winter units, morning work, centers, early finishers, take‑home packets, or calm‑down activities.
You can find it on TPT! Here is the link: Winter Animals Coloring Book for Preschool & Pre‑K | Simple & Accessible
Here is the Amazon Affiliate link for The Mitten if you would like to support my content: https://amzn.to/3MZ8GrA
Here is the Amazon Affiliate link for The Hat if you would like to support my content:
Here is the Amazon Affiliate link for The Snowy Day if you would like to support my content: https://amzn.to/4phUG9M
Here is the Amazon Affiliate link for Ten On The Sled if you would like to support my content: https://amzn.to/4awpDU6
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