As we enter the winter season, the days become dark and snow covers the earth. Although the trees are bare and animals are hidden, there are still many special things to witness around you. Plus, cold weather leads to creative fun activities and cozy food indoors. Help your students understand the changes in the world around them with these great facts about winter. Bundle and enjoy!
Additionally, click the button below to view a Google Slideshow that compiles all the winter trivia in an easy-to-present format.
Fun and interesting facts about winter
Winter is the coldest season of the year.
States with the coldest winters include Alaska, North Dakota, Wyoming, Minnesota, and Montana.
Not all places get snow in winter.
These states include Florida, Hawaii, Texas, Louisiana, and Georgia. It’s too warm for snow!
Water freezes at 0°C (32°F).
When the temperature drops below this, water turns to ice. Snow forms when there is moisture in the air. When it snows a lot, it’s always fun to build snowmen and have snowball fights.
No two snowflakes are exactly alike.
Snowflakes are formed when water vapor freezes on dust particles in the air, creating a unique crystal shape.
The first official day of winter is called the winter solstice.
The winter solstice typically begins on December 21st and is the shortest day and longest night of the year.
In winter, there are more dark hours than light hours.
Because the Earth’s tilt makes the sun appear lower in the sky, we see more darkness than light.
There are only a few hours of daylight during winter in Alaska.
Depending on the city, Alaska sees only 3 to 6 hours of sunlight in December and January. Alaska’s Utchagvik Borough remains dark for 67 consecutive days. This may be one of the most surprising facts about winter.
A polar night is a day without sunlight.
Polar night occurs in the far northern regions of the world, including parts of Norway, Sweden, Canada, Greenland, and Russia. They can last for days or even months.
Many animals hibernate during the winter.
Hibernation is a deep sleep that helps animals conserve energy when food is not available. This lasts for weeks or months, depending on the species. Check out our list of interesting animals that hibernate in winter and our set of free printable hibernation worksheets.
Some animals have fur that adapts to winter weather.
Some animals’ coats thicken during the winter, while others’ coats change color completely. For example, the fur of arctic foxes and polar bears turns white in winter to camouflage in the snow.
Penguins have special adaptations to cold climates.
Penguins have a thick layer of fat (blubber layer) and tightly packed feathers to keep them warm. We may meet in large groups if necessary. Cuddling time!
Some animals migrate to warmer areas in winter.
Also known as south-flying animals, these animals include flying animals such as birds and butterflies. For example, monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles to avoid the cold.
Animals collect and store food in the fall and eat it in the winter.
Just as we use our pantries and refrigerators, we often hide nuts and seeds in the ground or in trees. How clever!
Most trees shed their leaves in winter.
Evergreen trees such as pines and firs keep their leaves all year round. For this reason, it is used as a Christmas tree.
Lakes, ponds, and rivers can freeze during the winter.
This forms a sheet of solid ice. People often ice skate or play ice hockey on the frozen water. Be careful and talk to an adult first.
In winter, you can enjoy hot food and hot drinks.
Comfort foods are hearty foods like rich soups, stews, and chili that warm your stomach. Hot cocoa with marshmallows is always a delicious sweet treat. Root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and turnips are also common recipe ingredients because they keep well in cold weather.
The Winter Olympics are held every four years.
Popular featured sports include skiing, ice hockey, snowboarding, figure skating, bobsledding, and curling.
The first Winter Olympics were held in Chamonix, France in 1924.
The next Winter Olympics will be held from February 6th to 22nd, 2026 in Milan and Cortina, Italy.
Auroras occur in winter near the Arctic Circle.
Also known as the aurora borealis, these colorful lights cast a spectacular glow on the night sky. These occur when particles from the sun interact with Earth’s magnetic field.
Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s are celebrated in the winter.
During this festive season, people decorate their homes, gather with family and friends, exchange gifts, and enjoy special holiday meals. Let’s get the party started!
Some constellations are better visible in the night sky during the winter.
Orion the Hunter is one of the easiest constellations to spot during the winter. Other constellations include Auriga, Canis Major, Canis Minor, Carina, Eridanus, Gemini, Unicorn, and Taurus.
Many countries celebrate the winter season with special events.
The Canadian province of Quebec hosts the famous Winter Carnival with ice sculptures, parades, and games. You can even stay at the Hôtel de Glace (Ice Hotel), a hotel made entirely of snow! Japan’s Sapporo Snow Festival is a similar event that celebrates ice and snow.
Frost occurs when moisture in the air freezes into small ice crystals.
Ice crystals are usually seen on cold mornings and create a shimmering sheen.
A blizzard is a severe winter storm.
Strong winds, heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures continue. These storms can cause whiteout conditions, making visibility and travel difficult. During a snowstorm, evacuate to a safe place.
People who leave their homes in the winter to go north to warmer places are called snowbirds.
This is because humans imitate the habits of birds in search of warmer winters. Florida has more snowbirds than any other state. Many of them come from the Northeast and Upper Midwest of the United States and eastern Canada.
Check out my Google Slides presentation on winter facts.
If you enjoyed our winter facts, click the button below to get your own copy. The facts are in a format that can be shared in the classroom or laughed alone.
