Traditional and Contemporary Songs About Snow for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Whether the view outside your window is white from a blizzard or bright, clear, and sunny, your children will love singing about the snowy weather of winter during the coldest winter months.

Songs are very important to a young child's development because they help increase their vocabulary, teach them about important concepts, like weather, improve their fine and large motor skills, if the songs include movement, and help them celebrate the wonders of the world around them.

The first snow themed song that comes to most people's mind is the classic "Let it Snow," and young children love knowing the same songs that the adults around them are singing. The first two verses of the song are especially appropriate for the youngest kids. This song is also a good opening for a discussion of fun activities to do inside when it is too snowy and cold outside to play.

Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we've no place to go,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

It doesn't show signs of stopping,
And I've bought some corn for popping,
The lights are turned way down low,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Another classic song about the snow is "Over the River and Through the Woods." The lyrics in this song, talk about the feelings of being outside on a snowy day.

Over the river and through the woods,
To grandfather's house we go;
The horse knows the way
To carry the sleigh,
Through the white and drifted snow, oh!
Over the river and thru the woods,
Oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes,
And bites the nose,
As over the ground we go.

Teach your children this humorous song to sing to their family and friends and they'll be the star of the party:

I made myself a snowball
Just as perfect as could be.
I thought I'd keep it as a pet
And let it sleep with me
I gave it some pajamas
And a pillow for its head.
Then, last night it ran away,
But first . . . .it wet the bed!

Kids who are cooped up inside on a snow day, will enjoy getting up and being active with this adaptation of the Hokey Pokey, appropriately named the "Snowy Pokey." They will also learn the vocabulary they need to describe the attire they need for a snowy day.

You put your right mitten in. You take your right mitten out.
You put your right mitten in and you shake it all about.
You do the Snowy pokey and you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about.

Continue with additional verses:
left mitten, right mitten, scarf, right boot, left boot, hat, earmuffs, "snowself," etc...

Songs that include fingerplays, like the following song, help children work on their fine motor skills while they sing. They also connect motions to more advanced vocabulary words such as "drifting" and "twirling." Sing to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

Snowflakes, snowflakes dancing round, (Dance fingers around.)
Gently falling to the ground. (Wiggle fingers downward.)
See them drifting to and fro. (Sway fingers back and forth)
See them twirling fast, then slow. (Wiggle fingers in fast and slow circles.)
Snowflakes, snowflakes dancing round. (Dance fingers around.)
Gently falling to the ground. (Wiggle fingers downward.)

Resources:

"I made myself a snowball" and "Snowey (sic) Pokey." EverythingPreschool.com. November 2010.

"Snowflakes, snowflakes." Liz Ryerson. PreschoolExpress.com. November 2010.