20+ Arctic Animal Printables For Preschoolers

The Arctic is a fascinating place with loads of interesting animals, which makes it a super fun theme for any preschool classroom during the winter months. Whether you live in a climate similar to the arctic with snowballs galore or the desert, preschoolers adore this theme. Add any of these Arctic printables and activities to your preschool lesson plans this winter.

Preschool Lesson Plans with Arctic Themed Activities

I always enjoy an arctic or winter theme in my preschool classroom. Not because I particularly enjoy teaching the content, but probably because it always falls right after Christmas break.

I know some people give teachers flack about having all this “time off” but what they don’t realize it two things.

1. Teachers lesson plan over their holiday and summer breaks.
2. Teaching is hard and like any other profession, we need a vacation to rejuvenate!

Comment if you completely agree!

But, truth be told, lessons about arctic and polar animals are also of high interest to preschoolers. I’ve talked before over here about the importance of using themes to teach preschool. There are so many benefits!

Cross-curricular connections are only one of many benefits of thematic teaching. Other advantages to teaching themed units include:

• making connections and drawing connections from the real world
• builds on prior knowledge
• keeps students engaged by making learning fun
• allows for teachers to create authentic learning experiences
• students have can have a choice in what they learn
• students can better see” the big picture” which is especially helpful for second language learners
• new vocabulary is used more frequently and in more natural settings
• allows children to demonstrate understanding in multiple ways

Now, are you ready to do some lesson planning for your Arctic preschool theme?

Arctic Animal Activities for Preschool

These printables are ones that will engage children to learn math, literacy or other important skills all while having fun! These preschool printables make it easy for you to introduce new topics or help children practice ones that you’ve already taught.

Which activities are you going to add to your preschool lesson plans this January?

*Disclosure – Some of the included activities are about penguins. I know penguins are not technically “arctic” animals, but I included them anyway. Why? Because to me it isn’t about where the animals live. I’m not teaching geography. I’m teaching about animals that thrive in cold temperatures and severe weather. So, we also learn about penguins in our arctic theme.

Hands-on Arctic Animal Activities

Here are some amazing arctic animal activities that are completely hands-on and play-based. If you’re looking for printables, they are down below.

Snow Dough – turn any sensory bin or small world into a snowy one with this easy snow dough recipe.

Sensory Pre-writing Tray – it’s a cinch to put together and will have massive results.

Arctic Matching Cards  – this one starts in a sensory bin. Printables are a great way to add extra learning elements into your sensory bins.

Arctic Animal Cutting Strips – Cutting strips can be super helpful for giving preschoolers the practice with scissors that they need.

Arctic Animal Rescue – Take fine motor work to the next level with this fun arctic animal activity for preschoolers.

Snowy Owls Process Art – These are so stinkin’ cute! You can add them to a forest theme, too!

Winter Songs for Preschoolers – Don’t forget circle time songs and finger plays!

Penguin Process Art – This one is seriously cute and can be done by both older and younger preschoolers.

Slime Avalanche  – There’s nothing like a little artificial snow fun in your Arctic preschool theme. Check out this fun preschool arctic animal activity using fluffy snow floam!

Arctic Literacy Printables

Arctic Early Reader Books – a fantastic way to help children practice new words in a fun way that works with the theme of your unit!

Montessori Igloo Pre-writing – an easy way to teach letters and even words. This set is fun printable set for the igloo part of the arctic.

Arctic Matching Game – arctic version memory game filled with adorable pictures of cute baby animals. Kids will love this game!

Arctic Printable Set  – three literacy and three printable math activities with an arctic animal theme that are perfect for a winter unit!

Arctic Animals Sight Words Game – Practice sight words with this fun game for preschoolers and kindergarteners.

Penguin Pre-Writing Cards – You can use these in a prewriting tray, with manipulatives, or as tracing cards.

Rhyming Penguins – If you’re teaching rhyming, these penguins will surely be able to help! They are super cute and perfect for rhyming practice.

Polar Bear Story Telling Hat – Retelling stories can be difficult for children to do, but this polar bear story hat can help!

Pre-Writing Winter Tracing Mats – Check out all the many ways these free tracing mast can be used in your classroom.

Arctic Math Printables

Arctic Number Matching Game – Counting and number recognition are important skills for preschoolers to master. This fun number match up game is helpful for helping kids practice both!

Feed the Penguins – Another fun counting activity where preschoolers draw a card and feed the penguin the corresponding number of goldfish crackers.

Arctic Activity Pack – This printable packs includes three literacy printables and three math printables.

Polar Animals Pattern Mats – Practice patterns with these fun arctic images. There are multiple ways that this printable pattern set could be used with preschoolers!!

Snow Shape Cards – Use these shape cards in a writing tray, or for loads of other activities.

Snowflake Number Cards –  One thing the arctic has a lot of, is snow! These snowflake number circles are great for a variety of different activities surrounding counting and numbers.