Whether you're teaching little learners in kindergarten or confident writers in grade 5, seasonal word lists are a fun and meaningful way to enrich language development all year long. These word lists are perfect for spelling, writing prompts, reading fluency, vocabulary journals, bulletin boards, or themed activities across the curriculum.
Fall word lists
Kindergarten–Grade 1
leaf, fall, red, rake, tree, wind, coat, apple, hay, corn
Grades 2–3
harvest, scarecrow, autumn, chilly, orchard, acorn, sweater, bonfire, crisp, pile
Grades 4–5
migration, deciduous, foliage, brisk, gratitude, equinox, hayride, feast, overcast, maize

Winter word lists
Kindergarten–Grade 1
snow, cold, sled, hat, ice, mittens, boots, cocoa, frost, coat
Grades 2–3
blizzard, igloo, shiver, sleigh, scarf, hibernate, chimney, snowflake, polar, frozen
Grades 4–5
flurries, permafrost, frostbite, glacial, solstice, avalanche, insulated, tundra, overcast, snowfall

Spring word lists
Kindergarten–Grade 1
rain, mud, bug, sun, bird, bud, egg, bloom, grass, hop
Grades 2–3
puddle, sprout, daisy, rainbow, hatch, garden, tulip, breeze, chicks, lamb
Grades 4–5
rejuvenate, germinate, thaw, pollen, renewal, equinox, vibrant, seedlings, migration, pasture

Summer word lists
Kindergarten–Grade 1
sun, swim, sand, hot, fun, pool, hat, fan, ice, run
Grades 2–3
sunscreen, vacation, beach, lemonade, camping, bug spray, sunglasses, popsicle, float, breeze
Grades 4–5
heatwave, relaxation, solstice, hydration, scorching, humidity, canoeing, sunburn, refreshing, fireflies

How to use these word lists
Writing prompts: Let students pick 3–5 words from a list to use in a short story or poem.
Spelling practice: Create custom spelling lists tied to the current season.
Word walls: Update classroom walls with seasonal vocabulary visuals.
Thematic units: Pair lists with seasonal science, art, or social studies units.
Morning messages: Include seasonal words in daily warm-ups or journal entries.