Winter Dramatic Play Idea with a Bear Cave

Inside: We created a winter dramatic play idea to learn about how bears sleep during the winter. We accompanied this with an adorable paper plate bear art activity!

We love to use our dramatic play area for acting out ideas connected to our current theme. After reading one of our favorite books, Bear Snores On, we put together a winter dramatic play idea with a bear cave.

We added a great big stuffed bear along with smaller stuffed animals. Since we read the book prior to turning our dramatic play area into a bear’s den, the children were ready to role play what happened in the book.

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Winter Dramatic Play Idea with a Bear Cave

So much learning can take place through play. The dramatic play area is especially popular because the children can use their imaginations as they act out various scenes. When they can tie it in with something they recently experienced in real life, or a book we just read, it becomes that much more meaningful.

I cannot take the credit for this year’s bear’s den. My creative co-teacher decorated a big box, complete with fiberfill on the top to mimic snow. She displayed photos of real bears and we had bear picture books nearby.

We asked the children to bring in a favorite stuffed animal. As they arrived, they placed their animals in a basket near the den.

And that’s when they noticed a great big bear sleeping in the cave, just like in the book. To say they were excited is an understatement!

After our morning meeting, we invited the children to visit the den. They pulled the bear out and brought their own animals into the den. They pretended to be sleeping, waking up, leaving the den, and returning.

Many times.

As we got ready to go to gym, we placed the big bear and his friends back in the den for a nap.

When we returned from gym, bear had awakened and was out of the den, reading a book! We never did figure out how that bear got into the chair…. hmm….

We then made bears at the art table.

And made a bear den bulletin board.

So much learning going on through play!

More Hibernation Activities

Looking for more dramatic play ideas? 

Here are 20 favorites for toddlers and preschoolers!

More ideas to try:

Marble-Painted Winter Mitten Craft

Tissue Paper Watercolor Snowflakes

20 Fun Winter Crafts for Preschoolers

Planning your winter theme? We’ve done the work for you!

I am the co-author of these winter theme lesson plans.

24 preschool learning activities for your winter theme, including literacy, math, science, art, fine motor, and more! A great resource for teachers and homeschoolers.

24 preschool learning activities that cover

• Literacy
• Math
• Science
• Fine Motor
• Sensory
• Gross Motor
• Art
• Social Studies
• Music
• Circle Time
• Social/Emotional