A Play Hibernaculum Kids’ Hibernation Learning Activity

What is a Hibernaculum?

A hibernaculum is a winter shelter of animals.

From bear dens and bat caves, to the piles of leaves bees bury themselves under – they’re all unique forms of hibernacula that help protect animals from cold temperatures and harsh elements as they hunker down for the winter.

To make your own play hibernaculum you’ll need:

Note: We prefer to shop locally or use what we have at home, but this list contains Woodpeckers Crafts, Etsy, Blick Art Materials, Bookshop.org and/or Amazon affiliate links for reference. As affiliates (and Amazon Associates), we make a small commission on qualifying purchases.*

How to Make Play Hibernaculums – DIY Instructions

Looking for a creative and fun way to teach your kids about hibernation? Make a miniature play hibernaculum! Our tutorial will guide you through the easy process, from creating a cozy den to filling it with hibernating animals.

Gather nature supplies.

Head outside and grab some useful items to help you build and cover your hibernaculum. We’ve had an incredibly dry fall, and the natural foliage has been giving me the sneezes, so I opted for a few good faux leaves, dried nature supplies, long sticks, a small assortment of rocks and pebbles, and a couple of cardboard tubes.

If you’d prefer not to use actual nature supplies or have difficulty finding them where you are, you can substitute felt cutouts, faux foliage, tissue paper, air-dry clay “sticks” or wooden nature play items.

Find a shoebox or similar container.

You can build your hibernaculum in a shoebox, clear plastic bin, recycled takeout container, deep tray – anything you have around that will make an excellent building base.

We cut along the front sides of our shoebox and pulled the front down to create a bit of a “window” and make it easier for little hands to move things around, but it’s not necessary.

Add some “dirt” to your hibernaculum base.

Filling the bottom of your hibernaculum with a bit of “dirt” is a good way to build the base because it will help hold things in place.

Though you could use real dirt, I recommend some earthy-colored playdough (I used this DIY playdough recipe along with equal parts brown and black gel food coloring. It does a good job of holding everything in place and is much easier to clean up when finished.).

Add play insects, amphibians, reptiles, etc.

A key detail of your hibernaculum will be the creature (or creatures!) inhabiting the space for winter.

You can create your own as we did (this little snake is playdough rolled into a coil with two dry black bean eyes, and a scrap paper forked tongue). But you can also use miniature play animals (plastic or wooden) or simply cut 2D animals out of paper. I’ve linked to some of the paper insects and other printable animals we have available right here for examples.

Begin building the layers of your hibernaculum.

Once you’ve added a few inhabitants, you can start building up the layers of your mini hibernaculum using sticks, bark, branch cuttings, rocks, cardboard tubes, and more.

A nice sprinkle of leaves will give your hibernaculum some much-needed insulation – just as in real life.

Finish with a brown paper bag “dirt” ground-covering layer (optional)

As you would if you were building an actual hibernaculum, cover it with a layer of “dirt” (in this case, it’s a crumpled brown paper bag). You could use tissue paper or felt or anything similar.

Using Mini Hibernacula for Learning and Play

1. Build an actual backyard hibernaculum.

After learning about hibernacula, make your own real hibernaculum in the backyard using this cute video DIY or print out these easy DIY instructions.

2. Build a play hibernaculum fort inside.

Make a larger-than-life-sized hibernation den using BIG cardboard boxes, pillows, and blankets. Kids can play the roles of different species, and you can even use this to entice them to take a short afternoon nap!

3. Use your play hibernaculum as a story prompt.

This mini hibernaculum is a perfect prop for storytelling. Invite children to come up with stories about the animals they’ve found in the hibernaculum or what happens in the hibernaculum after hibernation.

4. Create a hibernation station.

Set up a spot that kids can use as their hibernation-learning HQ by arranging a few hibernation-learning accessories on a small table or shelf. It can include:

• Field guides for learning about different hibernating animals.
• Printed cards, a chart, or a visual list of hibernating animals and hibernation vocabulary words.
• A map of the country can be used to pinpoint the locations of specific hibernating animals.
• Stuffed animals kids can use to reenact hibernation.
• Clay or play dough for hibernation den-building or the sculpting of hibernating animals.
• Binoculars and a notepad or journal for observing the outside environment during the seasons and looking for good animal hibernation spots.
• Sensory play items like faux snow, white play dough, moon sand, or cotton balls can be used to simulate hibernation conditions or for a hibernation sensory bin.

Hibernation-Themed Picture Books to Pair With Hibernaculum Play

I love using picture books as gateways for learning, play, and art-making or crafts. Here are a few of my favorite hibernation-themed picture books that can help introduce your little ones to the concept.

Note: We prefer to shop locally or use what we have at home, but this list contains Woodpeckers Crafts, Etsy, Blick Art Materials, Bookshop.org and/or Amazon affiliate links for reference. As affiliates (and Amazon Associates), we make a small commission on qualifying purchases.*

• Winter Sleep by Sean Taylor and Alex Morss: A beautifully illustrated tale that offers an enchanting look at various animals as they prepare for the winter. A must-read for parents because it provides children with a charming introduction to the concept of hibernation and the change of seasons, stimulating their curiosity about the natural world.
• Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter by Kenard Pak: A transition between the seasons depicted through the dialogue of two children. Parents will appreciate this book as it encourages discussions on the cycle of the seasons and helps kids understand and appreciate the beauty of change and adaptation.
• Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner: A delightful exploration of the secret kingdom beneath the snow, where animals work and live through the winter. A fantastic tool for parents aiming to instill a sense of wonder and respect for nature, as it enlightens kids about the survival skills of different animals during the harsh winter months.
• Winter Dance by Marion Dane Bauer: A fox prepares for winter and learns about the different ways animals survive the cold. A captivating story that parents will want to share to teach their children about animal behaviors during winter, and to spark conversations about survival and adaptation.
• Hiders Seekers Finders Keepers: How Animals Adapt in Winter by Jessica Kulekjian: This book offers engaging insights into the various strategies animals use to survive winter. A must-have for parents to read with children, as it enhances their understanding of the animal kingdom and the science of adaptation, using simple yet powerful language.
• Snuggle Down Deep by Diane Ohanesian: This heartwarming book shows different animals snuggling into their homes for winter. Ideal for parents who want to provide a soothing bedtime story while subtly teaching children about animal hibernation behaviors, enhancing their empathy and understanding of nature.
• Hibernation Station by Michelle Meadows: This story uses engaging rhymes and illustrations to showcase animals boarding a train to begin their hibernation. It’s an excellent choice for parents seeking to combine entertainment and education, teaching children about hibernation and seasons through a fun, imaginative narrative.
• Winter’s Coming by Jan Thornhill: A tale of a little bat who experiences her first winter and learns about hibernation. Parents will find this book beneficial as it provides a gentle introduction to the changes animals go through during winter, promoting understanding and empathy for wildlife.
• The Snowy Nap by Jan Brett: This story follows a hedgehog who decides to stay awake and experience winter rather than hibernate. A must-read for parents, as it promotes the ideas of exploration and embracing new experiences, all while offering a glimpse into the world of hibernation.