Olympic Seasons Craft
Connecting seasons to Olympic sports builds understanding of weather, time, and the global athletic calendar.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Olympics
- Learning area: Understanding the World
- Level: EYFS 3-4, Reception
Objectives
- Learn about the four seasons
- Name sports that can be played during each season
- Understand that Olympics are played during two seasons every four years
Materials
- A3 (11x17) white paper
- Paint (pink, purple, green, yellow, red, brown)
- Paintbrushes
- Seasons storybook
Instructions
Prepare painting materials at tables, with each station organised for one of the four seasonal handprint crafts you'll create. Read a seasons storybook that clearly shows the characteristics of spring, summer, fall/autumn, and winter—the changes in weather, nature, and activities people enjoy.
After reading, discuss each season and its connection to Olympics: 'In summer, the weather is warm. That's when the Summer Olympics happen—athletes swim, run, and play sports outside! In winter, the weather is cold with snow. That's when the Winter Olympics happen—athletes ski, skate, and snowboard!'
Create a timeline together: 'The Olympics happen every four years. Let's figure out how old you'll be at the next Olympics!' This personal connection makes the four-year cycle meaningful and exciting.
Introduce the handprint art project: 'We're going to make beautiful art about all four seasons using our hands!' Demonstrate each seasonal design:
• Spring: Pink or purple hand becomes a tulip, with the arm painted green as the stem. The hand represents petals reaching toward spring sunshine.
• Summer: Yellow palm becomes the sun, with finger rays spreading outward. This is the season of the Summer Olympics!
• Fall/Autumn: Brown hand and arm become a tree trunk, with fingertip prints in red, orange, and yellow creating falling leaves.
• Winter: Green handprints stacked become an evergreen tree, perhaps with white fingertip 'snow' dots. This is the season of the Winter Olympics!
Guide children through creating one or more seasonal handprints, depending on time and developmental level. As they work, discuss the sports associated with each season: swimming and track for summer, skiing and skating for winter.
Display completed artwork as a 'Seasons of the Olympics' gallery, connecting children's art to the athletic calendar.
Educator tip
Create a timeline showing past and future Olympics. Help children see themselves in the Olympic cycle by calculating their ages at upcoming Games.
Assessment
Observe and note: ability to follow two-step instructions, use of new vocabulary in context, early problem-solving strategies, and sustained shared thinking episodes. Assess against Development Matters age-band expectations. Observe student's ability to listen to stories, discuss seasons, and follow multi-step craft directions.