Inside: These mitten props are a fun addition to a winter circle time activity. Download the free printable and your toddlers and preschoolers can have their own stick puppets to hold!
One of our January themes is winter clothing.
After finding some mitten songs to add to my January Spotify playlist, I decided to create a simple mitten printable.
Download your free copy and turn them into mitten stick puppets that your children can hold!
We like to use props while reading related books, reciting rhymes, and singing songs.
❄️ Scroll towards the bottom of this page to find the link to the free download!
Winter Circle Time Activity with Printable Mitten Props
During the first two weeks of January, our themes are snowflakes and snowmen.
After that, we move into winter clothing.
We talk about what we wear when it’s cold outside – jackets, scarves, hats … and mittens.
I then find books to read and songs to sing that mention winter clothing.
I make enough mitten stick puppets so that each child gets one to hold while reading and singing.
Assembling the Mitten Printable Circle Time Props
What you will need:
- Popsicle sticks or Jumbo Craft Sticks
- Laminator
- Scotch tape
- Printable mitten prop (scroll down to find the link)
I suggest either printing these on heavy paper or laminating them for extra durability.
Make enough copies so that you have one mittens for each student and yourself.
Preparation:
Cut out the desired amount of mittens and gather your popsicle or jumbo craft sticks.After cutting them out, tape them to the top of a popsicle stick.
Using the Printable Mitten Props During Circle Time
Before reading, reciting rhymes, or singing winter songs, hand each child a mitten stick puppet.
They can hold these during the circle time session.
Rhymes
Create your own mitten rhyme or use one that’s already available, such as:
The Mitten Chant (Teaching Mama)
5 Warm Mittens (Boy Mama Teacher Mama)
Books
As you are reading books that include mittens, your children can hold up their mitten stick puppets whenever they hear the word “mitten”. Younger children will enjoy simply holding their mitten sticks throughout the story.
Here are some suggestions:
Songs
We love holding props while singing related songs!
Here are some fun songs to sing:
Teaching virtually?
I’ve found that props are even more important when teaching through a screen.
You can see how I use them in my online video snippets which are on my virtual teaching resource page.
I send my props home in a take-home packet that each child gets every two weeks.
More Mitten Ideas
Art: Marble-Painted Mittens (Free Printable Template)
Art/Fine Motor: Painting with Mittens
Table Activity: Mitten Matching
Cooking: French Toast Mittens
Literacy: Mitten Name Sort
Colors: Mitten Color Matching Game
Fine Motor: Sewing Mittens
Looking for song ideas?
Check out my January playlist:
Winter Classroom Set Up
See how our toddler and preschool classroom has been set up for the winter theme in previous years:
More Circle Time Resources
Preschool Circle Time Activities
When Circle Time Doesn’t Go As Planned (Video)
My Secrets to a Successful Circle Time (Video)
FREE Printable Mitten Props
Click below for the pdf download:
Toddler Winter Circle Time Counting Props
Keep toddlers engaged while working on simple math skills with these winter counting props.
We love using these during our classroom circle times!
6 Prop Sets (19 Pages):
- How Many Buttons Are On the Mitten?
- Numbered Mittens
- Hot Cocoa Marshmallow Counting
- Numbered Penguins
- Numbered Snowflakes
- Numbered Snowmen
