Coast to Country

Y’all, it is cold in Texas today. This morning, it was 16°F, but with the wind chill, it felt like -3°F! That’s the kind of cold that makes you want to curl up by the fire with a warm blanket and never leave. And honestly? That’s exactly what some animals do—they hibernate!

Since we’re all bundled up inside anyway, this is the perfect time for a fun, hands-on lesson about hibernation, winter survival, and even how to read a thermometer. Plus, I’ve got some simple activities and printable to make learning extra fun!

Why Do Animals Hibernate?

Start by asking: How do we stay warm in winter?

Kids might say things like:

• Wearing coats and blankets

• Staying inside by the heater

• Eating warm foods

Now, explain that some animals can’t find enough food in winter, so instead of trying to survive the cold, they enter a deep sleep called hibernation to save energy. Their body temperature drops, their heart slows down, and they don’t need to eat for months!

How Do Animals Survive the Cold?

Not all animals hibernate—some have other tricks to make it through the winter:

• Hibernation – Bears, groundhogs, and some bats sleep all winter.

• Torpor – Raccoons and skunks take shorter naps when it’s really cold.

• Migration – Birds and butterflies fly somewhere warmer.

• Adaptation – Deer, foxes, and squirrels grow thick winter coats.

Activity: Write the names of the animals that hibernate in winter under their matching image. FREE DOWNLOAD AT END OF POST.

Let’s Hibernate Like a Bear!

Time to pretend we’re hibernating!

• Have everyone curl up under a blanket like a sleeping bear.

• Time how long they can stay still—explain that real hibernating animals have to stay like that for months!

• After “waking up,” talk about how animals feel when they come out of hibernation (hungry, groggy, ready to move again).

Activity: Use our counting worksheet to find bears, fireplaces, scarves, and other cozy winter things! FREE DOWNLOAD AT END OF POST.

Stuffed Bear Hibernation Activities

Build a Bear Den

• Grab some pillows, blankets, or even a big box.

• Create a little “cave” for stuffed animals to sleep in.

• Tuck them in and say goodnight until “spring”!

Bear Storytime

• Read Bear Snores On or Time to Sleep while everyone snuggles their bears.

Why Do Bears Hibernate?

• Let kids “feed” their bear pretend food before it goes to sleep.

• Explain that real bears eat a lot before hibernation since they won’t eat all winter!

Let’s Talk Temperature!

Since it’s freezing outside, let’s take a minute to learn about temperature and how we measure it.

What is Temperature?

• Show kids a thermometer (indoor, outdoor, or printed).

• Explain: Temperature tells us how hot or cold something is.

• Today, it’s so cold that water would freeze outside!

Hands-On Thermometer Reading

• If you have an outdoor thermometer, check it and compare it to the weather report.

• If not, put a kitchen thermometer in ice water—watch it drop to 32°F (freezing!).

• Ask: Would juice freeze outside today? What about a wet shirt?

Hibernation vs. Freezing

• Some animals hibernate to avoid freezing.

• Others (like frogs and insects) actually freeze solid but survive!

Easy Winter Science Experiment: Watch Ice Freeze!

• Put a cup of water outside and check it throughout the day.

• Compare it to room-temperature water.

• Talk about how temperature affects nature.

Wrap-Up: Would You Hibernate?

If you had the choice, would you hibernate all winter? Or do you prefer bundling up and playing in the cold?

This lesson is a fun way to make the most of a freezing day while staying warm inside. Grab the free printables below and let me know—are you a winter explorer or a hibernating bear?