Simple Ideas for a Winter Poetry Teatime
The snow fell this weekend and I did what all good southerners do: I went to the grocery store.
Of course, I skipped the bread, milk, and eggs aisles and went straight for the “snow party” food. This weekend was going to provide the perfect weather for a special winter poetry teatime and I wanted to be ready.
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Celebrate the Season with a Winter Poetry Teatime
I love hosting a simple-themed poetry teatime for my kids. It is a part of our homeschool routine and everyone looks forward to it.
Sometimes we keep things very simple, but other times I like to design our time together around a theme. We enjoy snacks and poems focused on the theme for our teatime and it is always a delightful memory.
It’s fun each season to enjoy a seasonal poetry teatime, such as a winter poetry teatime in these chilly winter months.
Serve Simple Winter Poetry Teatime Treats
Vanilla Meringues
These are winter white in color with a light and fluffy feel to represent the snow. While I linked to amazon so you could have a visual, you can find these at your local Trader Joe’s store for a lot less money.
Cinnamon Sugar Snowflakes
Cutting tortillas with kitchen shears was a unique and fun experience and they tasted delicious. The nice thing about this one is you might have all of the ingredients on hand: tortillas, cinnamon sugar (white sugar + ground cinnamon if you need to make it), and melted butter.
Chocolate Pinecones
Having made this for our Narnia book club meeting, I can warn you that they are NOT easy, but they are a ton of fun to make and eat if you have the time.
Snow White Chocolate Covered Marshmallows
You can dip them in melted white chocolate and then sprinkles to keep them feeling “snowy”. Though store-bought marshmallows, even dipped in milk chocolate, are just as tasty.
Read Winter Teatime Poetry Books
Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening
Robert Frost and illustrated by Susan Jeffries
Hands down, this is my favorite poem of all time. This picture book version has the most delightful hidden creatures in the illustrations by Susan Jeffries. This book was a gift from my parents and I treasure it.
You will not regret owning this one.
Did you know that Robert Frost wrote this one in the middle of summer? It’s true. Hear a bit about the poem’s history and listen to Robert Frost recite this famous poem. (under 2 minutes)
Snow, Snow: Winter Poems for Young Children
Jane Yolen and photography by Jason Stemple
From Amazon: “ane Yolen’s wintry, shivery poems are inspired by the stunning photographs of Jason Stemple, who has captured the images of snow in all its breathtaking beauty. After children enjoy these poems and pictures, they will look at snow in a different way –with their imaginations as well as your eyes.”
It’s Snowing! It’s Snowing! Winter Poems
Jack Prelutzky and illustrated by Yossi Abolafia
From Amazon: “It’s winter! The trees are bare, the days are short, and the first sparkling snowflakes are falling from the sky. Lively, warmth-filled illustrations by Yossi Abolafia enhance these sixteen delightful poems.”
Winter Song
William Shakespeare and illustrated by Melanie Hall
Publisher’s Description: “Charming illustrations open the door to the world of William Shakespeare. Icicles hang by the wall, children’s noses are red and raw, and Joan is busy in the kitchen stirring the pot. It is winter in Shakespeare’s England. Shakespeare wrote a number of songs for his own productions. Among the most charming is “Winter Song,” performed at the end of his romantic comedy Lover’s Labor’s Lost. Melanie Hall’s illustrated version of the poem is filled with bold and beautiful images that bring to life the wintry world of Elizabethan England.”
This book is another great way to sneak in the Bard during the school year!
Iguanas in the Snow
Francisco X. Alarcon and illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez
Publisher’s Description: “In the final installment in the series, Francisco X. Alarcón shows children a city where people are bridges to each other and children sing poetry in two languages. A family frolic in the snow reminds the poet of the iguanas playing by his grandmother’s house in Mexico. Readers are dazzled by the promise of the seedling redwoods — like all children — destined to be the ancestors of tomorrow.”
Winter Bees and Other Poems of the Cold
Joyce Sidman and Rick Allen
I love the combination of poetry and non-fiction information in these books.
Winter Eyes
Douglas Florian
Publisher’s Description: “Snowballs, ice skating, sledding! Frozen toes, icy slush, runny nose. Well, winter’s not all fun and games. But well-loved, best-selling poet Douglas Florian will melt your doubts about Mother Nature’s chilly grip with twenty-eight winter-inspired poems accompanied by his crisp, trademark watercolor illustrations. Young readers are sure to warm up to the uniquely keen vision of this wholly original volume. Whatever the time of year, Winter Eyes is just right for the season.”
My Amazon Idea List of Winter Poetry Books contains several more titles to read this winter.
Rhyming Winter Picture Books to Read at Teatime
Snowbots
Aaron Reynolds and David Barneda
Publisher’s Description: “How do the robot children of Clackentown spend snow days? They have supersonic snowball fights, make robot angels with wing nuts moving up and down, take hot oil baths to thaw out the joints, and receive eskimo kisses on metal noses at bedtime.
Author Aaron Reynolds and illustrator David Barneda team up to tell a hilarious story about two favorite subjects—robots and snow days!”
Snowmen at Night
Caralyn Buehner and illustrated by David Buehner
Publisher’s Description: “Have you ever built a snowman and discovered the next day that his grin has gotten a little crooked, or his tree-branch arms have moved? And you’ve wondered . . . what do snowmen do at night? This delightful wintertime tale reveals all! Caralyn Buehner’s witty, imaginative verse offers many amusing details about the secret life of snowmen and where they go at night, while Mark Buehner’s roly-poly snowmen are bursting with personality and charm.”
Sneezy the Snowman
Maureen Wright and illustrated by Stephen Gilpin
Publisher’s Description: “B-R-R-R-R! AH-CHOO! Sneezy the Snowman is cold, cold, cold. To warm up, he drinks cocoa, sits in a hot tub, stands near a warm fire–and melts! But the children know just what to do to build him up again–and make him feel “just right”. Hilarity chills the air with playful mixed-media illustrations by Stephen Gilpin as Sneezy attempts to warm himself with some silly results.”
Snow
P.D. Eastman and Roy Mc Kie
Publisher’s Description: “This classic Beginner Book edited by Dr. Seuss is a delightful ode to winter. Brrrrr—it snowed! From snowball fights and skiing to fort building and snowman-making, P. D. Eastman and Roy McKie’s Snow will have young readers eager for the kind of fun only a wintry-white day can bring. Perfect for enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa, it makes an ideal gift for the holidays, and happy occasions of all kinds!”
Decorations for your Winter Poetry Teatime
When it comes to teatime decorations, I am all about simple.
In fact, I keep 1.5 yards of various fabrics rolled up in my cabinet to pull out for teatime. For our winter teatime, we grabbed the snowman fabric. These pieces of fabric are not sewn and the edges are raw, but they work perfectly to bring a themed feeling to our teatime table.
If you are feeling a bit crafty, then paper snowflakes on the table or hanging from the ceiling are a fun way to decorate. You could even make them the day before as an activity together.
Of course, we always include candles. Definitely go with the candles, especially in the winter.
LED candles work just as well and we have been known to use tiny battery-operated string lights to make our teatime table glow.
Whether you go big or small, there is something wonderful about a special treat and a good poetry book.
Ready to Plan Your Poetry Teatime:
More Themed Poetry Teatime Ideas:
Valentine’s Day Poetry Teatime
Shakespeare Inspired Teatime
How to Enjoy Poetry Teatime in Your Home
Creative Teatime Ideas When You Need a Break from Poetry
You might also enjoy:
She believes that creativity, laughter, and fun are the backbone for engaging and inspiring homeschools. You can find her encouragement and tips on this blog, Mary Hanna Wilson.
She is an enneagram 7 and an extrovert. She enjoys traveling, tea (iced or hot), good conversations, and books. You can connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
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Winter Bees looks great!
We love that book! It is fantastic!