20 Winter Nature Studies - Easy, Fun, & Includes Bible Verses!

Just because winter is here doesn’t mean the fun outdoor learning has to end! If you’re looking for some great ways to keep your outside adventures going strong all year long, check out these ideas and resources for winter nature studies! Whether it’s scavenger hunts, birding, or an indoor nature table, there are plenty of options to consider no matter what the weather is like outside.

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Below you’ll find 20 winter nature study ideas as well as add-on activities, book suggestions, and a Bible verse and devotional thought to share with your children. If applicable, I also include a reference to a corresponding chapter in the Handbook of Nature Study by Comstock. (You might like the updated color version here, too.) I recommend using that resource as a read aloud and editing on the fly – I remove references to “Mother Nature” and add in conversations about God and His provision for and through creation.

1 – Evergreen Trees

Identify different types of evergreens by their needles and cones.
Collect and compare samples. .
Make a simple evergreen wreath (like this one or this one) or nature journal sketches.
Handbook of Nature Study: Chapter on Trees – Pines
Additional Book: Crinkleroot’s Guide to Knowing The Trees by Jim Arnosky
Bible Verse: Jeremiah 17:7-8 – “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord… they will be like a tree planted by the water.”
Just as evergreen trees stay strong and vibrant through winter, our faith in God helps us remain steadfast through every season of life.

2 – Animal Tracks in the Snow

Look for and identify tracks in the snow or mud.
Make plaster casts of tracks or sketch them. The Homeschool Scientist has other fun animal tracking activities.
Handbook of Nature Study: Chapter on Mammals (The House Mouse section has an illustration of an interesting track.)
Additional Book: Tracks, Scats and Signs (Take Along Guides) or Tracks in the Snow by Wong Herbert Yee
Bible Verse: Proverbs 3:6 – “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
Tracks in the snow remind us that God leads our steps. If we seek Him, He will guide our way.

3 – Winter Birds

Observe winter birds together. Go for a walk or see which birds are around your home.
Set up a bird feeder and record what birds visit.
Handbook of Nature Study: Birds – The English Sparrow
Additional Book: Backyard Bird Watching Book for Kids
Bible Verse: Matthew 10:29-31 – “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.”
If God watches over the birds, how much more does He care for us? Trust in His love and provision.

4 – Frost and Ice Crystals

Look for frost patterns on windows and ice crystals on plants.
Take close-up photos or sketch frost patterns.
Handbook of Nature Study: Chapter on Weather: Water Forms
Additional Book: Winter Poems by Barbara Rogasky
Bible Verse: Job 37:10 – “By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast.”
Frost is a reminder of God’s breath upon creation, shaping even the smallest details with care and beauty.

5 – Hibernation and Dormancy

Learn about animals that hibernate. Discuss how trees and plants are dormant. See if you can go for a nature walk and spot any possible bird, chipmunk, or other dens.
Create a “cozy den” in a cardboard box and role-play animal hibernation.
Handbook of Nature Study: Chapter on Mammals (Squirrels or Bears is a good section for hibernating animals)
Additional Book: Winter Sleep by Sean Taylor
Bible Verse: Psalm 4:8 – “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Just as animals rest in winter, we can rest in God’s peace, knowing He watches over us.

6 – Snowflakes and Symmetry

Catch snowflakes on black paper and examine them.
Make paper snowflakes.
Handbook of Nature Study: Chapter on Weather: Water Forms or Storms and Weather Maps
Additional Book: Snowflake Bentley by Jaqueline Briggs Martin
Bible Verse: Psalm 51:7 – “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”
Snowflakes remind us of God’s holiness, His creativity, and the principle of individuality. It also reminds us that our sins are washed away and we are made “white as snow” when we put our faith in Jesus and repent of our sin, receiving His forgiveness.

7 – Winter Constellations

Learn about and look for Orion and other winter constellations.
Use a star chart or stargazing app (like the SkyView Lite app and it’s free to use).
Handbook of Nature Study: The Skies – Winter Stars
Additional Book: Who Gave the Stars Their Shine? by Tabatha Hull or The Heavens: A Different View by Danny Faulkner
Bible Verse: Genesis 1:16 – “God made two great lights… and also the stars.”
The same God who placed the stars in the sky knows us by name and has a plan for our lives.

8 – Bark and Tree Buds

Compare the bark of different trees. Look for buds forming.
Make bark rubbings with crayons. Try to include at least 4 different trees and identify them to label your rubbings.
Handbook of Nature Study: Chapter on Trees, various places
Additional Book: Trees, Leaves & Bark (Take Along Guides) by Diane Burns
Bible Verse: Isaiah 55:12 – “The trees of the field shall clap their hands.”
Winter trees remind us that even when things seem dormant and quiet, the Lord is still working. Just as trees will grow and bloom in the spring, so will we when we put our faith and hope in Jesus! We’re also reminded that all things were created to bring God glory and pleasure. Let us bring praises to His name!

9 – Winter Nature Table

Go on a nature walk and gather items to display on a nature tray or table.
Record or sketch observations in a journal.
Handbook of Nature Study: Birds – The Study of Birds Nests in Winter
Additional Book: Winter Across America by Seymour Simon
Bible Verse: Isaiah 55:10-11 – “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Just as snow nourishes the earth and prepares it for new growth, God’s Word nourishes our hearts and accomplishes His purposes in our lives.

10 – Deer and Wildlife Observation

Look for deer and other wildlife at dawn or dusk.
Keep a journal of animal sightings.
Handbook of Nature Study: Chapter on Mammals – Animals in Zoos and Parks
Additional Book: Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner
Bible Verse: Habakkuk 3:19 – “The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet.”
Like the sure-footed deer, we can trust God to guide and steady us when we follow Him.

11 – Icicles and Dripping Water

Watch how water freezes and melts.
Make a time-lapse video of icicles forming.
Handbook of Nature Study: Chapter on Weather: Water Forms
Additional Book: A Drop of Water by Walter Wick
Bible Verse: John 4:14 – “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.”
Just as water sustains life, the Lord provides for us. Jesus is the living water that satisfies our souls.

12 – Winter Sky Colors

Observe how the sunrise and sunset change in winter.
Keep a daily or weekly sketch journal of the colors in the sky at sunrise and sunset, or take photos at the same time each day and compare. Note how clouds affect the colors.
Handbook of Nature Study: The Atmosphere
Additional Book: Sky Wonders by Glen Vecchione.
Bible Verse: Psalm 113:3 – “From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!”
Just as the sky changes with the seasons, God’s faithfulness remains constant. Let the beauty of the winter sunrise and sunset remind you to praise Him daily.

13 – Migration Patterns

Research birds that migrate vs. those that stay.
Compare a winter bird list to a summer one in your area. Listen for different bird calls.
Handbook of Nature Study: Birds – Migration
Additional Book: The Burgess Bird Book for Children by Thornton Burgess (Again, you may have to edit on the fly to replace “Mother Nature” language on occasion. Some Burgess books need that. I can’t remember now if this one did.)
Bible Verse: Matthew 6:26 – “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
God cares for even the smallest birds, guiding them in migration. Trust that He provides for you, too.

14 – Winter Pond Life

Visit a pond to observe.
Look for air bubbles trapped in ice. Use a magnifying glass to examine ice formations. Observe signs of life around the pond—animal tracks, frozen plants, etc. If possible, get a water sample.
Bible Verse: Job 37:10 – “By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast.”
Winter stillness reminds us that God is in control of all seasons. Even in the quiet, His creation continues to thrive beneath the surface.
Book Suggestion: Butternut Hollow Pond by Brian Heinz or A Year in the Pond (Season to Season) by Christina Mia Gardeski

15 – Animal Fur and Adaptations

Compare winter vs. summer coats on animals.
Look for animals with thicker fur or changing coat colors. Even pets! Visit a local farm or zoo to observe fur changes. Research how animals like rabbits and foxes adapt.
Handbook of Nature Study: Pets as Nature Study Subjects
Additional Book: Hiders Seekers Finders Keepers: How Animals Adapt in Winter by Jessica Kulekjian
Bible Verse: Psalm 104:24 – “O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures.”
Just as God provides animals with what they need to survive each season, He equips us for every challenge we face.

16 – Fungi and Lichens

Observe what grows on tree trunks in winter.
Look for fungi or lichens on tree trunks and logs. Compare different colors, shapes, and textures. Keep a nature journal with sketches or descriptions.
Handbook of Nature Study: Fungi sections under Flowerless Plants
Another Book: One Small Square: Woods by Donald Silver
Bible Verse: Isaiah 40:8 – “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”
Even in the cold of winter, life is still at work. God’s Word nourishes our hearts like the unseen growth of fungi and lichens. His Word lasts forever!

17 – Moon Phases

Track the phases of the moon through the month.
Draw a moon phase chart and update it daily. (Here’s a good free resource for that.) Look for how the moon’s position changes in the sky. Observe how moonlight affects the landscape.
Handbook of Nature Study: “The Moon”
Another Book: Answers Books for Kids by Ken Ham (especially volume 5 which is about space).
Bible Verse: Psalm 8:3-4 – “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him?”
God is sovereign over al creation and guides us along the way. The same Lord who crafted the wonders of the sun, moon, and stars created us, and He loves us!

18 – Winter Plants

Observe winter plants and how the weather impacts them.
Look for pine, cedar, or holly. Research their historical medicinal uses. Smell different evergreens and compare. Look at gardens, flower beds, and weeds. How have they changed with the colder weather? Record your findings.
Another Book: What Happens to Plants in Winter? by Rebecca Felix
Romans 1:20 – “For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.”
Just as nature reflects God’s wisdom and care, our lives can be a testimony of His faithfulness.

19 – Weather Patterns and Winter Storms

Track barometric pressure changes.
Use a barometer to track pressure and predict storms. Keep a weather log of daily temperature and snowfall. Observe how wind direction changes before a storm.
Handbook of Nature Study: Weather (Barometric Pressure and Storms).
Another Book: The Kids’ Book of Weather Forecasting by Mark Breen
Bible Verse: Nahum 1:3 – “His way is in the whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.”
Even storms are under God’s control. Just as He commands the wind and waves, He is present in every storm of life and will help us through them.

20 – Garden Planning for Spring

Begin to plan and prepare a garden for spring.
Sketch a garden plan for spring. Learn which plants can be started now and what other winter tasks can be done to prepare. Look into winter sowing. Download local gardening calendars or almanacs to aid in planning.
Handbook of Nature Study: Gardening and Nature Study
Another Book: Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots by Sharon Lovejoy or Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner
Bible Verse: Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 – “For everything there is a season… a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted.”
Winter is a season of rest and preparation. Just as we plan for a garden to bloom, God is growing something in us during waiting seasons, too.

Enjoy these fun activities with your children!

~ Tauna 💕

If you’ve struggled with getting started or staying consistent with nature studies you’re going to LOVE No Sweat Nature Study. For whatever reason I was having trouble being consistent with our regular nature studies this year. This saved it for me! I shared details on my page post you can read, but you can also check it out here.