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With the excitement of the 2026 Winter Olympics growing, teachers are looking for meaningful ways to connect real-world events to classroom learning. The Winter Games are perfect for building nonfiction knowledge, strengthening comprehension, and sparking curiosity in literacy, math, and writing. Below are my top Olympic activities for the classroom, plus a few extra honorable mentions and a fun freebie to wrap it all up.
1. Winter Games Nonfiction Unit
A Nonfiction Winter Olympics Unit is the perfect launch point for background knowledge. Students learn about Winter Olympic sports, the history of the Games, medal tracking, and the countries competing. Two different booklets (with illustrations or real photos) make it easy to differentiate for your readers. There’s also a Winter Games mini book, medal math extensions, comprehension pages for sixteen events, and several writing pieces that encourage students to share opinions, compare sports, graph medals, and document facts. The torch craft and “child with a medal” craft make an adorable display and build excitement as students follow the Games in real time.
2. Solve the Mystery: Missing Medals Edition
If your students love a good mystery, this Winter Games “who took the medals?” challenge is a hit. A video hook sets the scene before students work through nine standards-based math and ELA tasks to earn clues. Once all the clues are collected, students determine who took the medals, when, and where they hid them. This resource is available for Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 2nd Grade and includes both printable and Google Slides versions for flexible use during centers, enrichment, small groups, or whole group instruction. It blends problem-solving, collaboration, and movement and is one of the most memorable Winter Games classroom activities.
3. Tacky and the Winter Games Read-Aloud Companion
“Tacky the Winter Games” by Helen Lester is a classroom favorite during the Olympics. It introduces competition, sportsmanship, and teamwork while making students laugh. A book companion takes the learning further with comprehension strategies such as predicting, main idea and details, character analysis, sequencing, questioning, and story mapping. There are also writing prompts, math games, word work, and a Tacky penguin in ice skates craft that teachers love for displays and portfolios. This is an excellent literature connection for literacy centers and February Winter Games celebrations.
Tacky and the Winter Games Book Companion Unit is available in my TpT store. You can purchase the book, “Tacky and the Winter Games,” from my Amazon list. (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)
4. Tina & Milo Winter Mascot Activities
The mascots for the 2026 Winter Olympics are Tina and Milo, two sibling stoats. A mascot craft and passage set allows students to learn about how mascots are chosen, what makes stoats unique, and why they represent the Winter Games. Students read informational passages, answer comprehension questions, complete opinion writing, tally survey results, and create stoat crafts for a bulletin board. Letters such as “Tina & Milo Go for the Gold!” make an instant Olympic hallway display. This activity works beautifully during Opening Ceremony week or alongside winter animal studies. Grab the Tina & Milo activities from my TpT store!
5. Digital Winter Games Skill-Based Task Cards
For some digital excitement, students can complete Winter Games Google Task Cards that feature a blend of literacy and math skills practice. After reading a short fact page, students complete the “event” by working through ten literacy and ten math task cards on Google Slides. These are great for projecting on a SMART Board, using during online sessions, assigning independently, or placing in digital centers. Each Winter Games event highlights a sport and a set of academic skills, which keeps learning varied and engaging.
Honorable Mentions for Olympic-Themed Read-Alouds
If you want to extend your Olympic learning even further through literature, these titles pair beautifully with themes like competition, perseverance, and sportsmanship.
Stoats Nonfiction Informational Unit
A nonfiction stoats (ermine) unit is perfect for connecting to Tina and Milo (see above). Students explore adaptations, predators, food, and winter survival while practicing nonfiction text features, vocabulary, diagrams, and report writing. A stoat craft and bulletin board letters round out the learning. Grab the Stoats Nonfiction Unit here or click on the image below.
The Big Snowdown by Katy Hudson
This winter story highlights the importance of effort and practice over bragging and winning. Owl assumes she’ll win every event without preparing, while her friends put in the work and succeed. Students discuss perseverance, learning from mistakes, and good sportsmanship—excellent SEL tie-ins during the Olympics.
You can find The Big Snowdown Book Companion Unit in my TpT store, and you can purchase a copy of “The Big Snowdown” from my Amazon list. (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)
Learning to Ski with Mr. Magee
This read-aloud introduces skiing, humor, and the message that winter sports take patience and practice. Students sequence the story, analyze characters, build vocabulary, and complete writing extensions. A snowman skiing craft adds a visual element that teachers love for displays.
Grab the Learning to Ski with Mr. Magee Unit from my TpT store. You can also purchase a copy of “Learning to Ski with Mr. Magee” from my Amazon list. (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)
Free Olympic Activities for the Classroom
For an extra twist, you can host your own “Class Book Games” and award gold, silver, and bronze medals to the winners. Students love cheering for classmates and celebrating effort. You can grab a freebie version of this activity along with a free ski craft to add to your Winter Games celebration. Grab your FREE Olympic activities for the classroom here!
With the Winter Games approaching, now is the perfect time to bring Olympic excitement into literacy, math, writing, and nonfiction instruction. Whether you choose a mystery challenge, nonfiction unit, mascot craft, or read-aloud extension, students gain real-world knowledge, practice academic skills, and experience the joy of cheering on global competition right from the classroom. Purchase the Winter Games Bundle to try all these activities!
Check out these other fun activities for February:
- Valentine’s Classroom Ideas – Plan a Valentine’s Theme Day with engaging learning activities!
- Valentine Dramatic Play – Create your own classroom post office!
- Cupid in a Cup – Enjoy a fun snack activity with your class!
- Football Activities for the Classroom – Celebrate the SuperBowl with these hands-on learning activities!
