Winter has arrived, and, along with this new, cold season, come some remarkable things for children to see outside in the natural world — and that’s exactly what today’s post is all about. It’s a challenge to little ones to see if they can spot 20 nature-related things outdoors over the coming winter months. What’s more, it comes with a free poster that children can download, print out, and use for reference while they’re out and about on their Winter Nature Hunt.
When Is Winter?
According to the Astronomical calendar, winter arrived with us on December 21, 2025, at what’s known as the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. It’ll remain with us until the Spring Equinox on March 20, 2026, when days and nights once again even up to become virtually of equal length.
In contrast, winter is said to arrive on the first day of December and end on the last day of February — 3 whole calendar months — according to the Meteorological Calendar. That particular calendar works in ‘full’ months as a way of keeping things simple, for example, for weather services and records.
What Can Children Look Out for in Winter?
Take a look at the preview of the reference poster below and the commentary that follows. Despite winter being the season when nature is mostly dormant, it is packed full of interesting and exciting things for children to look out for. Download or view the poster by clicking it, then save it to your device, and print it out to A4 or A5. Children can take this with them on their Winter Nature Hunt and see how many of the 20 suggestions they can discover. Tick boxes are provided.
Magical Snowflakes
With winter arriving, it’s certainly cold out there! That means that snow is more likely to arrive at some point. When it does, children can look out for the little miracles that are snowflakes. Each one is amazing, as children will see if one lands softly on their winter jacket or gloves. By looking closely, your little one will see the intricate 6-pointed shape that’s unique to each flake. Snowflakes really are miraculous! They will both enthral and amaze children if they take a moment to look carefully and compare one snowflake to another.
Icicles
Once the snow starts to thaw, children can also look out for another natural wonder on our Nature Hunt list — icicles. They’re beautiful too, in their own way, each telling a story of the dripping water that’s formed them.
Animal & Bird Tracks
When there’s a blanket of snow on the ground, children will also be able to look out for animal tracks and the footprints of birds. If there’s no snow, it’s still possible to do so by looking in patches of mud (all such activities undertaken with close adult supervision, of course). Such prints are a great way to see which creatures have been passing through at some point earlier in the day or night.
Frost-Encrusted Plants, Trees & Spiders’ Webs
Frost is also rather magical when it arrives, especially first thing on a winter’s morning when it coats literally everything. Children can look out for leaves, grasses, and even spiders’ webs bejewelled in the tiny crystals of ice that make frost. They make the landscape’s plants and trees look magical! And those spiders’ webs look so incredibly decorative when coated, whether by frost, morning dew, or even raindrops. Nature is incredibly beautiful, and children will instinctively be drawn to such wonder.
Leaf Skeletons
Leaf skeletons are another natural wonder for children to look out for. They may not be so easy to discover, but they are out there if children take the time to look. Once found, children will be delighted and intrigued by the fine, structural filigrees that make up the leaf shapes. Leaf skeletons are also something children can take home to press between the pages of a book or pad, so they dry flat. They can be used simply as keepsakes or as part of a creative activity of some kind.
Winter Visitors Like Birds & Squirrels
Let’s also not forget some of the feathered and furry friends that little ones can look out for in winter. On the free poster, we’ve highlighted just three as a starting point — robins, blackbirds, and grey squirrels. All such creatures may become regular winter visitors if the right food is provided. Birds love sunflower hearts and grated Cheddar cheese, for example (learn more in our Simple Bird Feeders guide). Squirrels love nuts, seeds, and sunflower hearts too, as well as bird-safe peanuts. Such foods are very much welcomed by many of nature’s garden visitors over winter, when natural food sources are so depleted.
Lichen, Mistletoe, Pine Cones, & Much More
Other items that will intrigue children are also included on the free poster, for example, lichen, mistletoe, pine cones, and pine needles. Speaking of trees, we also highlight two major types of trees for little ones to look out for and compare; evergreens have leaves or pine needles all year round, while deciduous trees shed leaves in autumn and have bare branches throughout winter. All such natural occurrences can spark educational conversations between parent and child. Children can learn so much from nature and the world around them. Our poster is just a starting point, though, and there are many more interesting, educational, and amazing things to look out for during the winter months if children and families take the time to proactively look. Nature is amazing but, what’s more, nature is incredibly good for children (and adults). This is therefore a very worthwhile activity — have fun!
More Free Nature Activity Posters for Kids!Today’s Winter Nature Hunt activity is one of a series that each comes with a free, downloadable poster for children. So, why not also try our Spring Nature Hunt activity, Autumn Nature Hunt, and Leaf Nature Hunt activity? We also have a free British Land Mammals poster, Minibeast spotting poster, Bird spotting poster, and Butterfly spotting poster for families to use as the basis of more outdoor activities. Click the bold links for more information and free downloads.
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Little Acorns Nursery
Padiham’s Premier Childcare Service
Little Acorns Nursery is a wonderful weekday childcare setting in Padiham, where children’s learning and development are nurtured in a warm, home-from-home setting. With its own garden and nature zone, little ones get to enjoy nature safely on-site, as well as benefit from the fabulous activities, resources, and facilities indoors. Recognised by Ofsted as a good childcare provider, Little Acorns really is an excellent choice for early years childcare.
To learn more, enrol your child for a place, or come for a guided visit, please get in touch today:
Little Acorns is a high-quality nursery in Padiham, Lancashire, that provides first-class weekday childcare to local families, virtually all year round. As well as serving those in Padiham, we may also suit families nearby in places like Hapton, Rose Grove, Burnley, Altham, Huncoat, Read, Simonstone, Sabden, Higham, and Wood End.
Safety First!
Don’t forget: children, particularly the youngest, should always be accompanied and supervised by a parent or responsible adult when exploring outdoors — there are many hazards out there!
Summer and autumn are wonderful times for children to experience nature in its full glory. At such times, the natural world is brimming with colourful flora and fauna, and it’s a spectacular feast for their eyes and senses. Outdoors, little ones can learn an enormous amount about the natural world around them, enjoy some fresh air and freedom – under supervision, of course — and reap the 
Point out the huge variety of different shapes, sizes, and textures of leaves in the natural world.