Animal Winter Homes Peek-a-Boo Craftivity & FREEBIES!

Welcome to our Peek-a-Boo Animal Winter Homes Peek-a-Boo Craftivity & FREEBIE page!

Another winter unit we do every year is hibernation. The books for children on this subject from the days of yesteryear feature brilliant winter displays in both word and illustration.  One of our favs is from 1948, a Caldecott Medal Winner "The Big Snow" by Berta and Elmer Hader:

The story begins with the geese flying south over the meadows, above the hills and through the valleys passing over the critters who live there:

As each illustration takes you through the story, you will examine the various doings of each creature in their wild home in preparation for "The Big Snow":

And when the snow comes, it is a lovely and very cozy sight to see everyone all snug in their winter homes:

And when the snow stops falling, the critters pops their heads out to see the view and look for food:

Sure enough, the Lord blessed them, Matthew 6:26:

Psalm 150:6

If you would like to add this timeless classic to your vintage children's book library, check out these selections from eBay:

1948 Caldecott Medal Winner The Big Snow by Berta and Elmer Hader

 (AKGVH  (A Kinders Garten Vintage Homeschool) is a participant in the eBay Partner Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to eBay.)

Another fav of ours is "All Ready for Winter" by Leone Adelson from 1952:

It begins with summer is leaving and a child is warming by the fireplace,  "What happens when winter comes?":

The story then sweeps you across the landscape visiting each animal asking, "What happens to ...., where are they?":

Then the story asks, "Where can you be?":

And delightfully ends with a day of snow fun:

You can add this Winter Wonderland story from days gone by to your vintage children's book collection as well from eBay:
  

All Ready for Winter by Leone Adelson

My babes dig learning with different types of media so I like to add film.

Your younger babes K - Gr 2 can follow along with this mischievous  little duck as he finds out all about winter:

For children in the 2nd - 4th grade, Sara Armour from Cornell Uni takes them through the wilderness to visit all types of animals in winter:

In 1972, Dr. Eric Pengali from the Uni of Cali takes you to the high California mountains investigating hibernation, a great vintage film for grades 4-6:

 

Here are some videos for older secondary children:

Over the years, we have completed some different mini books on hibernation. During the pre-k years, we assemble and read "Getting Ready for Winter"  from the Mailbox magazine:

Each page has an different activity on it that allows your babe to interact with the book: 

If you want to add The Mailbox Magazine's Getting Ready for Winter Mini Book to your Animals in Winter Unit, here is the quick link: 

The Mailbox Magazine's Getting Ready for Winter

Who Hibernates from Scholastic is for older children Grades 2-3 and covers  a more diverse array of animal winter homes:

You can get this copy from Scholastic for FREE here: 

Who Hibernates Mini Book from Scholastic

And since my babes are such fans of "peek-a-boo" lift the flap books, we made these out-a-sight Winter Animal Homes Interactive Craftivity and use them year after year:

Under every flap is a different critter. On the backside of the flap is a sentence describing how the critter hibernates:  

You can make this craftivity with your babes and use it year after year as well with our FREEBIE printable patterns and directions: 


Animals in Winter Peek-a-Boo Craftivity 

We like to sing the following hibernation songs while lifting the flaps on our  Winter Animal Homes Interactive Craftivity. I adapted the verses to our craftivity so my babes could lift each flap as we sing the verse that accompanies that particular hidden critter. And for sure you know we just have to sing it over and over and over and, well as you can see so will you. Toooooooooooo much FUN!

Hibernation 
adapted  to our craftivity by C.S. Calkins 

Sing: to Alouette

Hibernation. Time for Hibernation.

Hibernation. Time to go to sleep.

In the winter where's the bear?

Sleeping in a cave or lair.

Where's the bear? Cave or lair?  

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO,

Hibernation. Time for Hibernation.

Hibernation. Time to go to sleep.

In the winter where's the frog?

Sleeping under a pond or bog.

Where's the frog? Pond or bog?

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO,

Hibernation. Time for Hibernation.

Hibernation. Time to go to sleep.

In the winter where's the snake?

In a burrow below the lake.

In a burrow, below the lake.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO,

Hibernation. Time for Hibernation.

Hibernation. Time to go to sleep.

In the winter where's the bat?

In a cave that's where he's at.

In the cave, there's a bat. 

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO,

Hibernation. Time for Hibernation.

Hibernation. Time to go to sleep.

In the winter, where's the Lizard?

There he is, he's such a wizard.

Between the rocks, inside the cracks.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO,

Hibernation. Time for Hibernation.

Hibernation. Time to go to sleep.

In the winter, where's the Skunk?

In the log, is where he slunk.

In the log, that's where he slunk.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO,

Hibernation. Time for Hibernation.

Hibernation. Time to go to sleep.

In the winter, where's the Turtle?

In the mud, just like Yertle!

In the mud, just like Yertle.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO,

Hibernation. Time for Hibernation.

Hibernation. Time to go to sleep.

In the winter, where is badger?

In a burrow, he's no lager.

In his burrow, he's no lager.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO,

Hibernation. Time for Hibernation.

Hibernation. Time to go to sleep.

In the winter, raccoon hides,

In a treetop he abides.

In a tree, he abides.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO,

Hibernation. Time for Hibernation.

Hibernation. Time to go to sleep.

In the winter, where's the bugs?

In the rocks, all nice and snug.

In the rocks, nice and snug.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO,

Hibernation. Time for Hibernation.

Hibernation. Time to go to sleep.

In the winter, where's the snakes?

In the rocks, a bed they make.

In the rocks, a bed they make. 

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO,

Hibernation. Time for Hibernation.

Hibernation. Time to go to sleep.

In the winter, where's the bird?

In the treetops, in her nest.

In her nest, that's the best!

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO,

Where is Brown Bear?

Sing to: Where is Thumbkin?

Where is brown bear?

Where is brown bear?

Here I am!

Here I am!

How are you this winter?

Very tired, thank you.

Go to sleep.

Go to sleep.

Repeat with the other animals in your craftivity.

Snow is in the Sky

Winter is cold, (wrap arms around torso and shiver)

There is snow in the sky. (flutter fingers above your head, then move your arms slowly down)

The squirrel gathers nuts, (pretend to gather nuts)

And the wild geese fly south. (flap arms)

The fluffy red fox has his fur to keep him warm. (stroke your arms like you were stroking fur)

The bear is in her cave all through the storm. (put your palms together under your cheek and pretend to sleep) 

Hibernation Song

Sing to: The Wheels on the Bus

The weather's getting cold so bundle up,

Bundle up, bundle up!

The weather's getting cold so bundle up,

Winter is coming soon.

The bears in the cave, they sleep all the time,

Sleep all the time, sleep all the time.

The bears in the cave they sleep all the time,

All winter long.  

The squirrels on the ground, he's gathering nuts,

He put's them in a tree,

Cuz that's where he'll be.

The squirrels on the ground, he's gathering nuts,

To eat all winter long.

The frogs and toads sleep deep in mud,

Deep in the mud, deep in the mud.

The frogs and the toads sleep deep in mud,

All winter long.

The ducks and the geese go flying south.

Flying south, flying south.

The ducks and the geese go flying south.

And live there all winter long.

The people in the town wear hats and gloves.

Hats and gloves, hats and gloves.

The people in the town wear hats and gloves.

All winter long.

Animals Get Ready

Sing to: Skip to My Lou

Deer gets ready, what does it do?

Does it wear boots and mittens to?

That is not something a deer would do!

It grows thick fur for the winter.

Bear gets ready, what does it do?

Does it wear boots and mittens to?

That is not something a hare would do!

It takes a nap for the winter.

Hare gets ready, what does it do?

Does it wear boots and mittens to?

That is not something a hare would do!

It grows thick fur for the winter.

Goose gets ready, what does it do?

Does it wear boots and mittens to?

That is not something a hare would do!

It flies away for the winter.

Check out our vintage Animals in Winter Activity Pack. 65 pages packed full of activities from the days of yesteryear for grades pre-k-6. You get dot to dots, color by numbers, reading comprehensions, poems, teaching guides and MORE! You can get our EXCLUSIVE vintage Animals in Winter Activity Pack from our AKGVH Teacher's Dojo store: 

Animals in Winter Activity Pack

Another book we dig about hibernation is the ever popular Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson:

We have the VHS as well:

We also did a Bear Snores On craft that you may have seen across the web. While others used wiggle eyes on their bear's, we wanted our bears to be "snoring" so we made their eyes shut and since we are such glitter fans, we made their eyelashes using gold. I tried to draw the snout but it kind of looks funny, but hey....my babes DIG him:

If you want to add Bear Snores On to your unit, you may choose from a large selection on eBay:

Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson

Here are our FAV Bear Snores On Rhymes:

Bear Hibernation

adapted by: C.S. Calkins

Sing to: Are You Sleeping

Bear is sleeping, bear is sleeping,

In his cave, in his cave.

I wonder when he'll come out,

Having fun playing about,

In the spring, in the spring.

Birds are flying, birds are flying,

In the air, they are going somewhere.

I wonder when they'll come back?

I will bring them a snack.

In the spring, in the spring.

Here is a Cave

Here is a cave, (make arch with one hand)
Inside is a bear. (using other hand, put one finger in cave)
Now he comes out, (pull finger out)
To get some fresh air.
He stays out all summer,
In sunshine and heat. (fan face with hand)
He hunts in the forest, (crawling motion with hands)
For berries to eat. (fingers to mouth)
When snow starts to fall, (wiggle fingers like snow falling)
He hurries inside.
His warm little cave, (make arch with hand again)
And there he will hide.(put your finger inside)
Snow covers the cave,
Like a fluffy white rug.
Inside the bear sleeps, (hands to side of head like sleeping)
All cozy and snug.

Little Bear

adapted by: C.S. Calkins

Sing to: Are You Sleeping

Are you sleeping, are you sleeping.

Little bear, little bear?

Winter time is near, winter time is here,

Go to sleep, go to sleep.

Keep on sleeping,

Keep on sleeping.

Little bear, little bear.

You will wake in springtime, everything will be sublime.

In the spring, in the spring.

Time to wake up,

Time to wake up.

Little bear, little bear.

Springtime is near, springtime is here.

Wake up now, wake up now!

 Mr. Bear

Sing to: If You're Happy and You Know It

Mr. Bear says all he wants to do is sleep,

Now that winter's here and the snow is deep.

He has curled up in his den,

And we won't see him again,

Til the spring comes round that's when

All he'll ever want to do is eat! 

Sleepy Bear Jump Rope Rhyme

adapted by: C.S. Calkins

Sleepy bear, sleepy bear,

Turn around.

Sleepy bear, sleepy bear,

Touch the ground.

Sleepy bear, sleepy bear,

Take off your shoe.

Sleepy bear, sleepy bear,

The other one too.

Sleepy bear, sleepy bear,

Climb the stairs,

Sleepy bear, sleepy bear,

Say your prayers.

Sleepy bear, sleepy bear,

Turn out the light.

Sleepy bear, sleepy bear,

Say good night!

Do NOT miss out on our Bear Snores On craftivity FREEBIE:

AKGVH Bear Snores On FREEBIE!

You will NOT want to miss out on our Bear Snore's On vintage activity pack from our AKGVH Teacher's Dojo Store: 

Vintage Bear Snores On Activity Pack 

 



DIG our FAV Animals in Winter web links: 

Animals in Winter Powerpoint, Word Wall, Sorting Mat and Picture Cards 

Animals in Winter Free Resources from Arlene

Scholastic's Find the Animals

Animals in Winter Scavenger Hunt from Scholastic 

First Grade and Fabulous Animals in Winter Freebie

3 Dinosaurs Free Bear Snores On Activity Packs 

Making Learning Fun has lots of Bear Snores On Literacy Resources 

Bear in Winter Foldable Reader 

We hope you enjoyed our Animals in Winter Peek-a-Boo and our Bear Snore's On activities gleaning lots of fun & FREEBIES! Visit our blog again soon for MORE activity fun & FREEBIES!!!

See you then!

C.S. Calkins
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