Winter Nature Study: The Northern Lights, Ice, Constellations and more!

This time of year can be tricky to stay motivated to get outside and explore nature. Although it’s a short month, the cold, dark days can make it challenging. But spring is just around the corner, and there’s a lot to discover this time of year.

1. The Northern Lights

February is typically the best month for those of us in the northern hemisphere to see the aurora borealis, or northern lights. This is due to the combination of long, dark nights, and cold, stable weather that often results in clear skies. There also tends to be increased solar activity as we get closer to the spring equinox. 

We were lucky enough to see the northern lights here in Colorado last month, and I’ll never be the same – it was amazing! If you’re in an area where viewing the aurora isn’t really possible, check out these ideas for learning all about the northern lights.

Make the Northern Lights

With just a black piece of construction paper and chalk or chalk pastels, your students can recreate the aurora and have fun while doing it. We used this tutorial to make these beautiful works of art.

We also used this unit study on the northern lights included in the Arctic Journal (you can find out more about that here).

Make the Northern Lights (Surface Tension Experiment)

This super cool Northern Lights science experiment, which doubles as a science experiment on water surface tension (more on that later), is a great way to learn about physics and have fun with the northern lights.

Our Favorite Picture Books about the Northern Lights

Arctic White

The Lights that Dance in the Night

Painted Skies

Aurora: A Tale of the Northern Lights

A Search for the Northern Lights

2. Winter Constellations

The cold, clear nights of February can make for wonderful stargazing. Did you know that the winter sky features different constellations than the summer sky? The winter sky is dominated by bright, easily identifiable constellations like Orion, Taurus, Gemini, and Canis Major (follow Orion and you can spot the rest!)

Make Constellation Cards

My boys and I made these simple constellation cards using some construction paper and a hole puncher. And they look awesome up against a bright window!

• Use a chalk or acrylic marker for drawing the constellations first
• Smaller cards will be easier to punch
• If you can’t reach a star with the hole puncher, gently fold the paper and punch in the middle of the fold
• Hang them in a sunny window to see your constellations light up!

We used the constellation unit from The Winter Journal to guide us.

Night Sky Playdough

Another favorite! I mean, what’s better than velvety soft, sparkly homemade playdough? Add star sequins, marbles, or beads and press them in to make constellations.

Get the night sky playdough recipe here.

For more, check out the winter night sky study in the Winter Journal.

Picture Books About Constellations and the Night Sky

Through the Night Sky: A Collection of Amazing Adventures Under the Stars

Caroline’s Comets: A True Story

Zoo in the Sky: A Book of Animal Constellations

What We See in the Stars: An Illustrated Tour of the Night Sky

A Child’s Introduction to the Night Sky

3. Snowdrops

Known as “harbingers of spring,” these small, white, can emerge through snow and ice. Snowdrops are early blooming spring bulbs that often signify the end of winter. During their peak bloom, they can blanket the landscape in February with a carpet of nodding white flowers.

Go on a Snowdrop Walk

If you live in an area where snowdrops bloom, grab your nature journals and go on a snowdrop walk. Note the shape, size and smell of these joyful little flowers, where they grow (in the shade? in the sun? near a certain type of tree?), and anything else you notice. Draw a diagram and try to label the parts.

Make a Snowdrop Craft

Celebrate these harbingers of spring with a fun and simple snowdrop craft. We love these snowdrops made from paper and straws from Rhubarb and Wren.

Picture Books About Snowdrops and Spring Flowers

Curious Little Snowdrop: A Springtime Poetry and Activity Book for Kids

Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms

Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring

4. Ice

January is the coldest month for many regions in the Northern Hemisphere, which means it’s a great month to learn all about ice. From icicles to icebergs, to pancake ice and hoarfrost, there are tons of opportunities to learn about ice in the winter.

Make an Iceberg

Did you know you can make an iceberg right in your own kitchen? Fill a balloon with water, tie the end tight and place it inside your freezer for at least 24 hours. Once the water has completely frozen, carefully cut away the balloon, leaving the frozen sphere – your iceberg.

Now fill a large container with water (it should be big enough so that the iceberg can float). Place the iceberg into the container – you just made a freshwater iceberg. Note how much of the ice is above the water. You can measure the amount with a ruler, if you wish. How much of the ice remains below the water?

Most icebergs are freshwater, including the one responsible for the sinking of the Titanic. However, you can repeat this activity using salt water, and note how the salinity (saltiness) of the water affects how the iceberg floats.

Play With Frozen Bubbles

Who doesn’t love playing with bubbles? On the coldest of days, try making frozen bubbles! Check out this tutorial for step-by-step instructions.

Explore ice, icebergs and more with the Arctic Journal!

Picture Books about Ice

The Story of Ice

Ice Cycle: Poems about the Life of Ice

Waiting for Ice

5. Maple Trees

Maple sap is flowing from late January to early March, when there’s a pattern of temperatures fluctuating between freezing nights (below 32 degrees F) and warm days (above 40 degrees F). The tradition of tapping sugar maples for syrup has been alive for centuries, and you don’t need particularly fancy equipment to be able to extract the delicious syrup (although it takes roughly 30-60 gallons of sap to make just 1 gallon of syrup!).

If you’re lucky enough to have sugar maples where you live, take a stroll through a maple grove and see if you can spot any taps (listen for the drip-drip-drip of the syrup hitting the bottom of the pail!) You can also try making your own DIY maple tap!

If you don’t have access to sugar maples in your area, you can still read and learn about these marvelous trees.

Make Maple Syrup Snow Taffy

This is the perfect activity for a snowy day – just grab some pure maple syrup, some popsicle sticks (optional) and head out into the snow. We love this snow taffy recipe from Little Cooks Reading Books.

Books About Maple Trees and Tapping

Maple Syrup Season

Maple Moon

At Grandpa’s Sugar Bush

Sugarbush Spring

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