A hot and cold sorting activity with mats that will help toddlers, preschoolers and kindergartners practice differentiating between hot and cold objects and clothes.
Kids get to sort between between 18 objects and 18 clothes which ones should go on the cold mat and which on the hot mat.
Before kids start sorting, they will have to cut out the cards. If you’re doing the prep work, it won’t take long.
Make sure to print two copies for each sorting mat and one set of the cards.
The printable comes with two versions:
- colored cards
- black and white cards (for kids to color)
Use this game if you want to help kids understand temperature better. Talking to them about the difference between hot and cold is also an important safety conversation.
If you’re doing this at home, you can go around the home and look for hot and cold things, like the hair dryer or ice cubes.
You can also go outside and explore the outdoor temperature. Talk about the seasonal changes and how the change in temperature affects nature. Pair it with a fun broccoli painted four season art project or a four season tree craft.
For more sorting activities to try with kids, take a look at this happy tooth sad tooth or this happy Earth sad Earth.
Hot and cold sorting activity
Supplies:
- Hot and cold sorting template
- White cardstock paper
- Scissors
- Colored pencils (optional)
Prep work
Print the template on white cardstock paper. (Print 2 copies of each sorting mat and 1 copy of the cards)
Cut out all the cards: 9 cold items, 9 clothes for cold weather, 9 hot items and 9 clothes for hot weather.
How to play
Let the kids sort the cold and hot items or clothes for hot and cold weather.
Place cold cards on the cold sorting mat and the hot cards on the hot sorting mat.