The Winter Olympics are here, and they are packed with snow, speed, and exciting sports from around the world! If your kids are asking questions like “What is the Olympics?” or “Why are people skiing on TV?” — this guide is for you.
This simple overview is made for preschool and elementary kids, while still being helpful for parents who want to learn alongside them.
What Are the Winter Olympics?
The Winter Olympics are a worldwide sports event where athletes from many different countries come together to compete in winter sports. These sports are played on snow, ice, or cold-weather courses.
The Winter Olympics happen every four years and include events like:
- Skiing
- Ice skating
- Hockey
- Snowboarding
- Bobsledding
16 sports in all. These are just a few of them.
Athletes train for years to earn the chance to represent their country and compete on the world stage.
Why Do Countries Compete?
Each athlete represents their home country. During the Olympics, countries compete for medals:
- 🥇 Gold
- 🥈 Silver
- 🥉 Bronze
Kids can cheer for their favorite country and learn that athletes from all over the world work hard, play fair, and show great sportsmanship.
Where Are the 2026 Winter Olympics?
The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in Italy, with events taking place in Milan and Cortina. Italy is known for its mountains, snowy regions, and winter sports—making it a perfect host country.
How We’re Exploring the Olympics With Kids
This year, we’re turning the Winter Olympics into a daily learning adventure!
Each day of the Olympics, we’ll focus on:
- One country
- One or two winter sports
- An athlete to watch
- A kid-friendly update on what’s happening that day
To go along with this, kids can use a Winter Olympics Passport. Each day includes a ready-to-color stamp already printed on the page — so when a new country is featured, kids can color their stamp and follow along.
No cutting. No pasting. Just open, color, and explore.
Why This Is Fun for Kids (and Easy for Parents)
- Encourages learning through play
- Builds geography and world awareness
- Helps kids follow real events on TV
- Turns screen time into family time
You don’t need to be an expert—just watch, color, and talk together.
What to Watch First
🎉 Opening Ceremonies kick off the Winter Olympics with music, athletes, and traditions from around the world.
Tune in on Friday, February 6th, at 8:00 PM EST on NBC to watch the opening ceremonies and officially begin the Olympic Games.
We’ll be starting our daily country passport series next, beginning with the host country, Italy. Be sure to check back each day as we travel the world together, one stamp at a time.
After you print your passport, if you want it to be more like a book, you will have to cut each page down to 3.5×5. Make sure the picture is in the size.
Family Activities 