Winter Circle Time Songs for Preschool: Easy Songs, Movement & Props

Brr! When the weather turns cold, there is nothing cozier than gathering your little learners on the rug for a song. These winter circle time songs for preschool are simple, playful and packed with learning: counting, colors, listening, movement and turn-taking. Below you will find my favorite winter song ideas with original lyrics you can use right away, movement songs for wiggly days, a step-by-step plan for running winter circle time, and answers to the questions teachers ask me most.

Why Winter Circle Time Songs Work So Well

Songs are one of the most powerful tools we have in early childhood. A short, repetitive song can calm a busy room, signal a transition, and teach a skill all at once. Winter is the perfect theme because children already have so much to talk about: snow, mittens, hats, cold breath, penguins and polar bears.

• Language: Repetition and rhyme build vocabulary and phonological awareness.
• Math: Counting-down songs teach number sense and one less.
• Listening: Stop-and-go songs practice self-control.
• Community: Singing together helps every child feel part of the group.
• Routine: After winter break, familiar songs help children settle back in.

Here is a tip I learned in the classroom: songs work best when children have something to hold or look at. A snowman prop, a mitten color card or a snowflake number card turns a song into a hands-on lesson, and it gives shy friends a job to do.

Counting Winter Circle Time Songs for Preschool

Counting songs are a circle time classic. Children love being one of the “five little” characters, and every verse is a natural lesson in counting backward and “one less.” All lyrics below are my own originals, so you can sing them freely in your classroom.

Five Little Snowmen

This is one of the songs in my Winter Circle Time set. Choose five children to hold snowman props and stand in front of the group. As each snowman “melts away,” that child sits down, and everyone counts how many are left. It is a gentle way to practice counting down from five, and children love melting slowly to the floor!

Five Cold Penguins (original)

Five cold penguins standing on the ice,
Waddle, waddle, waddle, wasn't that nice?
One slid away with a splash, splash, splash,
Now there are four penguins, dash, dash, dash!
(Repeat with four, three, two, one...)
No more penguins standing on the ice,
Let's all waddle! Wasn't that nice?

How to use it: Line up five penguin counting props or five children. Each time a penguin “slides away,” take one away and count together. Older preschoolers can hold up fingers to show the new number.

10 Little Snowflakes

Also included in my Winter Circle Time set, this counting song takes children all the way up to ten and back down again. Hand out snowflake number cards and have children stand up when their number is sung. It is perfect for pre-K friends who are ready to count past five.

Snowflake Count (original)

One little snowflake falling on my nose,
Two little snowflakes landing on my toes,
Three little snowflakes swirling all around,
Four little snowflakes drifting to the ground,
Five little snowflakes, shh, don't make a sound!

How to use it: Children wiggle fingers like falling snow, then touch their nose, toes, and spin around. On the last line, everyone whispers. It is a great calm-down song before a read-aloud.

Color and Clothing Songs for Winter

Mittens on My Hands

My Winter Circle Time set includes a “Mittens on my hands” color game: children chant together and then guess what color the mittens are. Pass out mitten color cards in English or Spanish, and whoever holds the matching color stands up and shows their mitten. It is a wonderful way to review colors after winter break.

What Will I Wear? (original, to the tune of “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush”)

This is the way we put on our hat,
Put on our hat, put on our hat,
This is the way we put on our hat,
On a cold and snowy morning.
(Scarf... wrap it around. Mittens... one, two. Boots... stomp, stomp. Coat... zip it up!)

“Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush” is a traditional public-domain tune, so it is easy to reuse. Act out each piece of clothing. This song doubles as practice for the real thing when it is time to bundle up for outdoor play!

Winter Movement Songs for Wiggly Days

When it is too cold for recess, movement songs are a lifesaver. These get bodies moving safely in a small space.

Snowflake Freeze (original)

Snowflakes falling, twirl around,
Twirl, twirl, twirl, then touch the ground.
Snowflakes dancing, high and low,
Ready, set... FREEZE like snow!

Children twirl gently, touch the floor, reach high and low, and then freeze. Repeat it faster and slower. This builds body awareness and impulse control.

Polar Bear Walk (original chant)

Stomp like a polar bear, big and slow,
Waddle like a penguin across the snow,
Hop like a bunny, one, two, three,
Now sit down quietly next to me.

This chant brings children from big movement back to a calm seated position, which makes it a perfect transition into the next part of circle time.

I’m a Little Snowman (original, to the tune of “I’m a Little Teapot”)

I'm a little snowman, round and white,
Here is my scarf and my hat so bright.
When the sun comes out and shines on me,
I melt, melt, melt... down slowly!

Children stand tall, point to a pretend scarf and hat, and then slowly melt to the floor. Little ones ask for this one again and again.

Grab the Winter Circle Time Props and Songs

If you want these songs ready to go with printable props, my Winter Circle Time Activities, Games & Props set has you covered. It includes the Five Little Snowmen and 10 Little Snowflakes song posters, the Mittens on My Hands color game, snowflake number cards, penguin and snowman counting props, mitten, coat and cocoa mug color cards in English and Spanish, hot cocoa letter cards, and bilingual number cards 1-10.

You can also find more of my resources in my TPT store.

More Original Winter Songs to Try

Hot Cocoa Song (original, to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”)

Stir, stir, stir my cocoa,
Warm and sweet and brown,
Blow, blow, blow it cool,
Then sip it slowly down!

Children pretend to hold a mug, stir, blow gently and sip. Blowing slow, deep breaths makes this song a sneaky calm-down strategy. Pair it with cocoa mug color cards and ask, “Whose mug is red?”

Little Snowflake, Where Are You? (original, to the tune of “Frère Jacques”)

Little snowflake, little snowflake,
Where are you? Where are you?
Here I am, so tiny,
Sparkly and so shiny,
I see you! I see you!

Hide a snowflake number card somewhere in the circle area before you sing. On “I see you,” a helper finds it and tells the class the number. Both tunes used in this section are traditional and in the public domain.

Setting Up Your Winter Circle Time Space

A little setup goes a long way toward a smooth circle time. Before you start your winter songs, take a few minutes to prepare your space:

• Mark spots. Use carpet squares or tape snowflakes so each child knows where to sit.
• Prep your props. Keep props in the order you will use them, in a basket next to your chair.
• Make a song chart. Post song posters at child eye level so children can “read” along by looking at the pictures.
• Plan a movement zone. Make sure there is room to stand, twirl and stomp without bumping friends.
• Have a calm-down spot. Some children need a break from the group. A cozy corner nearby lets them rejoin when ready.

When your space is ready, you can focus on what matters most: singing, laughing and learning together.

How to Run Winter Circle Time: A Simple Plan

A predictable routine helps young children feel safe and ready to learn. Here is a 15- to 20-minute winter circle time flow that works for ages 3 to 5:

• 1. Welcome song (2 minutes): Use the same hello song every day so children know circle time has started.
• 2. Winter warm-up (2 minutes): Talk about the weather. Is it snowy, cold, sunny? Add a weather picture to your chart.
• 3. Counting song (3 minutes): Five Little Snowmen or Five Cold Penguins with props.
• 4. Movement break (3 minutes): Snowflake Freeze or the Polar Bear Walk.
• 5. Skill game (4 minutes): Mittens on My Hands color game or snowflake number cards.
• 6. Short read-aloud (4 minutes): A winter picture book from your shelf.
• 7. Calm closing (1 minute): Snowflake Count, ending in a whisper, then dismiss to centers.

For toddlers and young 3s, shorten each part and focus on just one song and one game. For older pre-K and kindergarten friends, add a question of the day or a simple graph, such as “Do you like hot cocoa or warm milk?”

Tips for Successful Winter Circle Time

• Use props. Popsicle-stick props or laminated cards give every child something to hold and look at.
• Give everyone a job. Rotate who holds the snowmen, penguins or snowflakes so all children get a turn.
• Keep it short. A good rule of thumb is about one minute of circle time per year of age, plus movement.
• Repeat songs all month. Children love to master a song. Repetition builds confidence and language.
• Add movement often. If children start to wiggle, it is time to stand up and sing.
• Include home languages. Bilingual color and number cards help dual-language learners join in.
• Laminate and store. Laminate props once, keep them in a labeled winter bin, and reuse them every year.

Extending Winter Songs Beyond Circle Time

The fun does not have to stop when circle time ends. Bring your winter songs into centers and transitions:

• Put the song posters and counting props in your music or library center so children can “teach” the songs to friends.
• Add snowflake number cards to the math center for counting and matching.
• Use Snowflake Freeze as a transition before lining up.
• Make a class book where each child draws one of the five little snowmen.
• Send the lyrics home so families can sing along.

Winter Circle Time Songs for Preschool: FAQ

What are good winter songs for preschool circle time?

Counting-down songs like Five Little Snowmen and 10 Little Snowflakes, color songs like Mittens on My Hands, and movement songs like Snowflake Freeze are all great choices. Look for short, repetitive songs with actions or props.

How long should winter circle time be for preschoolers?

For 3- and 4-year-olds, aim for about 10 to 20 minutes, with a movement break in the middle. Watch your group: when attention fades, it is time to move or wrap up.

Can I use these songs with toddlers?

Yes! Choose one counting song and one movement song, use big props, and keep circle time very short. Toddlers love repetition.

How do I include dual-language learners?

Use bilingual props, like English and Spanish color and number cards, and invite families to share how they say winter words at home.

Are these songs okay for a non-holiday classroom?

Absolutely. Every song here is about snow, cold weather and winter animals, with no holiday content, so they work in any classroom all winter long.

How do I keep children engaged during winter circle time?

Mix sitting and standing, give every child a prop or a job, and change activities every few minutes. If you notice wiggles, switch to a movement song like Snowflake Freeze or the Polar Bear Walk, then come back to your seated game. Using the same songs all month also helps, because children love joining in on songs they know by heart.

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Want ready-to-use circle time resources all year long? Join Clubhouse VIP, my teacher membership, for members-only seasonal printables and circle time songs and props made for little learners.

Pin This for Later

I hope these winter circle time songs bring a little extra warmth and joy to your classroom this season. Save this post so it is ready the next time the snow starts falling! ❄️
— Kimberly Taylor, Kimmy’s Kindergarten Corner