This winter, our elementary library is going for the gold with a short and exciting Winter Olympics unit! We’ll kick things off by learning all about the Winter Olympics—what they are, when they began, and where they’re being hosted this year. Students will discover that the 2026 Winter Olympics will take place in Milano Cortina, Italy, setting the stage for some global learning and curiosity.

I created this short “All About the Winter Olympics 2026” book to get them excited!

From there, students will explore facts about Italy before choosing one of the many countries participating in the Milano Cortina 2026 Games to research. Each student will create a colorful poster highlighting their chosen country, and we’ll proudly display these outside the library to turn our hallway into an international Olympic showcase.  I also included additional versions so you can use these posters for any future Winter or Summer Olympics!  You can get a copy of these posters at my TpT store here!

To wrap up the unit, I am planning to bring the Olympic spirit to life with a mini library Olympics! Students will rotate through quick, high-energy “Minute to Win It”–style games that celebrate teamwork, fun, and friendly competition. It’s a fantastic way to combine research, creativity, and movement—and a perfect winter celebration of learning in the library. 🏅📚 Check back soon to see an update on the Mini Library Olympic Event!

What are some ways you are bringing the Olympics to life in your lessons? I’d love for you to share!