The four seasons: what children learn
There are four seasons in the UK: spring, summer, autumn and winter. The weather, plants and animals change with each one.
Each card shows something you might see in a season. Children sort it into the right season.
This topic links to an early learning goal in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework for England (The Natural World). Children at the expected level of development will: “Understand some important processes and changes in the natural world around them, including the seasons and changing states of matter”. Reception children are usually aged 4–5.
How to play
Sort the cards into the right groups. Tap a card, then its group. You can also drag a card, or press the number on its group. Each game has 3 rounds with no timer. Every card is checked as soon as you place it: a card in the wrong group comes back with a hint, and you get a point for each card you place right first time. For a quicker go, choose Quick quiz: 8 multiple-choice questions in 240 seconds (choose Relaxed for more time).
Step by step
- Play together. Sit with your child and read the words on screen aloud. Let them do the tapping and dragging.
- Talk about the weather. Ask "Is it hot or cold?"
- Think about nature. Blossom in spring, falling leaves in autumn.
- Sort it. Drop the card into the season box.
Worked examples
Example 1: 🐣 Chicks hatch
Working: Baby animals are born in spring.
Answer: Spring
Example 2: 🍂 Leaves turn brown and fall
Working: Trees lose their leaves in autumn.
Answer: Autumn
Example 3: ⛄ Building a snowman
Working: Snow falls in cold winter weather.
Answer: Winter
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Mixing up spring and autumn Spring has new growth; autumn has falling leaves.
- Thinking it is always sunny in summer Summer can rain, but it is usually the warmest season.
- Forgetting the order Say the seasons in order: spring, summer, autumn, winter.
Activities to try at home
- Look out of the window and talk about the season now.
- Collect leaves, conkers or blossom on walks.
- Draw a tree in each season.
Ideas for the classroom
- Take a photo of the same tree each season.
- Sort clothes into a season dressing-up box.
- Make a seasons wheel display.
Free printable game and worksheet
The free printable starts with a game sheet, such as a colour-by-answer picture, an answer maze or a secret-code joke, followed by a worksheet. Both use the same checked questions as the online game, and the answers are on the last page. Print it, or save it as a PDF from your browser’s print menu.
Open the free printable game and worksheet
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same everywhere?
No. The game describes UK seasons; other places have different weather.
Why only two boxes at a time?
Two choices keeps each round simple for young children.
Is there a timer?
Not in the main game: children sort at their own pace. The separate Quick quiz is optional and has a long, gentle timer; skip it with younger or less confident children.