The winter games of the Olympics focus on bringing nations together through sport. Children can learn about which sports are played in winter and gain an understanding of the different countries of the world. To prep them for a winter festival, explain the Olympics, telling them that the teams come from different countries. Show them the Olympic symbol of five rings and have them create their own. Have them draw their favorite winter sport. Make paper medals with them to hand out during your own version of the outdoor games, which can include sledding, snowman making and snow angels. Make enough medals so that everyone is a winner.
Artistic snowmen can be propped up in booths at winter festivals and are easy and fun to make. Have the kids start with a plain, white paper plate. They can glue buttons on the plate for eyes and a mouth. For the nose, pass out safety scissors then have them cut orange construction paper into a triangular carrot and glue that to the plate. Black construction paper cut into a square and glued to the top of the plate makes an excellent hat.
Spruce up painting in a wintry way by mixing tempera paint with water in ice cube trays then freezing them. The kids can take a frozen paint cube from the tray and swirl it around on their paper or poster board to create an unpredictable watercolor effect. Have them wear gloves to prevent their fingers from getting cold. Do this craft a few days before the festival so that their masterpieces are dry in time to hang up as decorations.
A simple activity that can be sent home is making winter bird feeders with animal fat from the butcher, bacon drippings or vegetable shortening. First heat the fat until it melts. Once the fat is liquefied, pour it into a simple bowl or other handy mold with different types of birdseed mixed in. Stick a piece of twine or thin rope in the center, at least 2 inches into the fat. Allow it to cool and harden then remove it from the mold.