Teach kindergartners about hot and cold with foods. Bring in a few foods for students to taste that are either hot or cold, such as soup or ice cream. Let students taste the foods and describe the differences between eating hot and cold. Show students pictures of different foods and ask them to sort the pictures into those that are eaten hot and those that are eaten cold. Encourage students to draw pictures of their favorite hot and cold foods.
Use a thermometer to teach students about hot and cold. Heat water on the stove or microwave. Place ice cubes into a mug and fill it with cold water. Fill another mug with hot water. Use a digital thermometer to let students test the temperature of the mugs to see which is cold and which is hot. Ask students to look for other clues about which mug contains hot water and which contains cold, such as steam coming from the hot mug.
Use weather to teach students about hot and cold. Encourage students to share their experiences about things they like to do in hot weather and in cold weather: For example, they could describe swimming during hot weather and sledding in cold weather. Talk to students about the different clothes they wear to stay comfortable in hot and cold weather.
Set up a cooking station in the dramatic play area to teach students about hot and cold. Provide a toy stove and refrigerator. In addition, give students toy pots and pans for cooking. Give students toy food and empty food containers to play with. Encourage students to put the food away in the correct location. For example, they would store cold items in the freezer or refrigerator. Invite students to pretend to cook the items that should be eaten hot. Provide pot holders and oven mitts for students to use when handling "hot" food.