“Walking in a Winter Wonderland” Sensory Story Style

Winter Wonderland – Christmas Sensory Song

For information about delivering sensory stories please see our main Free Sensory Story page. This is not technically a Sensory Story but we will be using the lyrics to the song “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” and linking each line with a sensory resource or action. You will know your learners best and what they respond to. I have always worked with a mix of autistic and PMLD learners and would adapt the story to each group. One of the key things to remember is that repetition builds anticipation and there are some actions in this sensory song that will work for this, the knocking over the snowman and the flying birds. It would be worth repeating the song daily on the lead-up to Christmas. We also have “Are You An Elf?” sensory story and 140+ Elf on The Shelf Ideas if you need more Christmas ideas.

The lines in brackets are suggested sensory resources to use. The main one is the line “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” This will be repeated so needs to be engaging and motivating. I would suggest creating a winter-themed sensory umbrella, you could easily reuse the one from Snow Bear.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland Sensory story

Sleigh bells ring are you listening
(Shake sleigh bells or place within reach)

In the lane snow is glistening
(Run a torch over crinkled plastic wrap or glitter paper laid on child’s tray or lap)

A beautiful sight we’re happy tonight
(Make happy facial expressions and use a cheerful voice)

Gone away is the bluebird here to stay is a new bird
(Soft Toy Robin or a toy bird on a pole and fly it away)

He sings a love song as we go along
(Play gentle bird songs, sway or move)

Walking in a winter wonderland
(Sensory Umbrella, white silk scarf overhead)

In the meadow, we can build a snowman
(Stack white boxes or cotton wool-wrapped balls)

Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
He’ll say: Are you married?
we’ll say: No man
(Big sign or gesture no)
But you can do the job
when you’re in town
(Put ring on finger – Tin foil or other prop)

Later on we’ll conspire
as we dream by the fire to face unafraid the plans that we’ve made
(LED candles or an LED fire for visual interest).

Walking in a winter wonderland
(Sensory Umbrella, white silk scarf overhead)

In the meadow, we can build a snowman and pretend that he’s a circus clown
(Repeat the build snowman activity. Add clown hats, a flower sprayer)
We’ll have lots of fun with Mister Snowman
until the other kids knock him down
(Push over snowman, children can pull string attached to it to make it fall)

When it snows ain’t it thrilling
(Drizzle torn paper over children or create a sensory umbrella)

Though your nose gets a chilling We’ll frolic and play the Eskimo way
(Gently touch the child’s skin. Roll cotton wool snowballs)

Walking in a winter wonderland, walking in a winter wonderland
(Sensory Umbrella, white silk scarf overhead)

Finale Ideas

Spray Shaving Foam into hands and clap as snow, Throw glitter into the torch beam

Download Walking In a Winter Wonderland as a Free PDF Ebook

Winter Themed Sensory Resources Needed

• Glitter paper
• Torch
• Shaving foam
• Cotton Wool
• Wrapped balls or boxes
• Bird song sounds
• Soft toy robin
• LED candles or Fire effect light
• Snow Themed Sensory Umbrella
• White Scarf
• Clown hat, wig or joke flower
• Prop wedding ring

We hope you enjoy this Walking in a Winter Wonderland Sensory Song/Story. I would love to see any picture of it being delivered or ideas for changes you have made.