Winter Games Activities for Pre-K and Kindergarten

The 2026 Winter Olympics are a fun excuse to bring a little extra excitement into your classroom—especially during the winter months when students need more hands-on learning. One easy, low-prep way to celebrate with pre-k and kindergarten students is by using Winter Games play dough mats.

These mats invite students to explore winter sports while doing something they already love: playing with play dough.

Pre-K and Kindergarten 2026 Winter Olympics Activity

Play dough activities might look like “just play,” but they do so much more—especially for young learners. As students roll, pinch, press, and shape the dough to match the pictures on each mat, they’re strengthening the small muscles in their hands and fingers.

This kind of fine motor practice helps support skills like:

• Holding a pencil

• Using scissors

• Building hand strength and control

The Winter Games mats naturally encourage these movements as students build items like skis, bobsleds, curling stones, and ice skates using play dough.

How the Winter Olympics Play Dough Mats Work

Each mat shows a winter sport with a simple visual outline. Students use play dough to build directly on top of the picture, trying to match the shape as best they can.

To get started:

• Talk about the winter sport on the mat and what students notice about its shape.

• Give students time to explore with the play dough before building.

• Encourage them to try different ways if something doesn’t work the first time.

• Let students share what was tricky and what they figured out.

There’s no “right” way for the finished product to look. The real learning happens in the process.

Materials You’ll Need

This activity is intentionally easy to prep, which makes it perfect for busy classrooms.

Materials:

• Winter Games play dough mats (printed and laminated)

• Play dough

• Optional play dough tools (rollers, plastic knives, scissors)

• A tray or flat workspace

Once everything is set up, students can work independently or in small groups.

When to Use the Winter Olympics Play Dough Mats

These play dough mats work well in so many classroom moments:

• Fine motor or STEM centers

• Morning tubs

• Indoor recess

• Early finisher activities

They’re also easy to rotate throughout the week so students can try different winter sports.

A Fun Way to Bring the Winter Olympics into Your Classroom

You don’t need a big production to celebrate the 2026 Winter Games with young learners. Sometimes the best activities are the simplest ones. These Winter Games play dough mats give students a chance to be creative, build fine motor skills, and talk about winter sports—all at the same time.

It’s hands-on, low-pressure, and exactly the kind of learning that works best in pre-k and kindergarten classrooms.

Download the Winter Olympics Play Dough Mats

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