❄️Winter Math and Literacy Centers for Kindergarten - Hands-On Learning for January
After the holidays, I used to dread the post-break slump… until I started bringing the season into our learning.
It’s January. The glitter has settled. The tree is packed away. And your students are still buzzing with snow-day dreams and frosty excitement. I’ve found that the best way to channel all that winter energy is to lean right into it — with hands-on winter-themed centers that feel like play but pack in real learning.
These math and literacy centers are just what we needed to warm up our post-break routine. They’re simple to prep, skill-focused, and filled with cozy themes like snowballs, mittens, polar bears, and cocoa. Whether we’re counting snowflakes, smashing snowball Playdough, or matching mitten words, my kids are engaged — and I get to feel good about the learning happening underneath the fun.
What's Included:
✏️ 7 Literacy Centers:
✅ Hot Cocoa Sound Fix
✅ Snowball CVC Word Smash
✅ Skating Rink BINGO
✅ Mitten CVC Match
✅ Spelling Snowmen
✅ Roll, Read & Build a Snowman
✅ Winter CVC Sentence Clip Cards
➕ 5 Math Centers:
✅ Snow Globe Addition
✅ Snowball Throw Subtraction
✅ Polar Bear Fishing
✅ Winter Measuring
✅ Roll a Snowflake
✏️Literacy Centers:
🧤Mitten CVC Match
This cozy little center is always a hit when we’re stuck inside on snowy days! My kids match CVC word mittens to the correct pictures, working on decoding and letter-sound knowledge in a hands-on way that doesn’t feel like work. It’s simple to prep, easy to rotate into small groups, and fun to revisit all winter long.
⛸️Skating Rink BINGO
I love pulling this out during morning tubs—my students light up when they see the ice skates! They use color-coded bingo chips to cover each Fry sight word, and before I know it, they’ve read through all 51 kindergarten words across the 17 mats. It’s a fluency builder that feels like a game (and keeps things peaceful during busy mornings).
❄️Winter CVC Sentence Clip Cards
These are one of my favorite quick centers to pull out in January. Students read simple CVC sentences and clip the picture that matches—building phonics, comprehension, and fluency all in one go. I love using them for early finishers or quiet literacy tubs because they’re low-prep, meaningful, and keep kids engaged without needing much support.
☕ Hot Cocoa Sound Fix
When I first introduced this, my students thought it was a pretend cocoa shop—and that totally sold it. They sort marshmallow letters into the right cocoa cup to practice beginning, middle, and ending sounds. It’s such a gentle way to build phonemic awareness, especially for kids who need something visual and tactile.
❄️Snowball CVC Word Smash!!
Smash, tap, and blend! Students roll Playdough snowballs and tap each one to sound out the letters before blending the word together. It’s a multisensory CVC center that builds decoding fluency and keeps even your wigglers engaged. My kids get excited every time this center hits the table.
🔤Spelling Snowmen
My students light up when they get to “build” their own snowmen out of snowball letters! In this center, kids spell out CVC words by placing each letter in order—building phonics, early spelling, and fine motor skills in one hands-on activity. They get so proud reading their finished words aloud, and I love how it boosts their confidence while reinforcing foundational skills.
⛄Roll, Read & Build A Snowman
This one’s always a favorite during winter! Kids roll a number, read a decodable CVC sentence, and build their snowman piece by piece. It weaves fluency, sequencing, and decoding into a playful routine that doesn’t feel like work. By the time their snowman is complete, they’ve practiced real reading—and had fun doing it.
➕5 Math Centers:
🐻Polar Bear Fishing
Count out fish to match the number on each card and help the polar bear “catch” his lunch! This playful math game builds number recognition and one-to-one correspondence using printable fish or manipulatives like mini erasers or crackers. I usually pull it out during centers or use it as a calming independent choice when the classroom needs a gentle reset.
❄️Snow Globe Addition
My kids get so excited to “fill” each snow globe with snowflakes before adding them together—it’s like a little winter magic built into math. I use pom-poms or buttons, but even simple paper dots do the trick. It’s one of those centers they ask to repeat, and I’m happy to say yes because they’re practicing meaningful addition skills at the same time.
🎯Snowball Throw Subtraction
Kids roll Playdough into snowballs, then “throw” them (move them aside) as they subtract. This playful winter center adds movement and hands-on practice to subtraction, building number sense in a way that feels more like a game than a worksheet.
📏Winter Measuring
Measure frosty animals and snowy items using math link cubes! My kids love figuring out how “tall” each one is—and it’s such a playful way to build nonstandard measurement skills during winter. Perfect for math centers or small groups!
❄️Roll A Snowflake
Roll a die, check the color key, and decorate your snowflake with matching bingo chips! My kids love this one—it feels like a game, but they’re building number recognition, fine motor skills, and color matching all at once. A perfect winter math center!
✨ How to Use These Centers
1. Morning Tubs – Snowball Smash and Roll a Snowflake are perfect for simple, low-prep morning fun.
2. Small Groups – I use Winter Measuring and CVC Clip Cards to reinforce math and reading goals.
3. Early Finishers – Skating Rink BINGO and Polar Bear Fishing are great for quiet independent choices.
4. Skill Review – Spelling Snowmen and Hot Cocoa Sound Fix give students hands-on ways to revisit phonics skills with zero whining.
They’re also super easy to prep — just print, grab some bingo chips or Playdough, and you're ready for a season full of learning.
💬 What Teachers Are Saying
“The winter snowball activities are a hit! My kids don’t even realize they’re working.”
— Mrs. S., Kindergarten Teacher
“The CVC clip cards and mitten match are perfect for phonics practice in January. Easy to prep and use!”
— Ms. Dawn, K–1 Interventionist
“I love how everything ties into winter but still hits real standards. It’s all fun but purposeful.”
— Mr. Aaron, First Grade Teacher
🎁Ready to Make January Learning Fun?
With 12 winter-themed centers, editable templates, and skill-building fun, it’s everything you need to start the new year strong.
💌 Looking Ahead?
Get ready for February with my Valentine’s Math & Literacy Centers Bundle — filled with hands-on hearts, sweet-themed learning, and skill-packed fun your students will love!