2026 Olympic Winter Games: Tips For Denver Preschool Families

The 2026 Olympic Winter Games are a wonderful opportunity to introduce your preschooler to this fun international event and weave in learning along the way. From counting and color recognition to teamwork and doing your best, the Olympics offer a range of ways to engage children in the competition and the fun. 

Continue reading for more ways to jump into the action this winter and help your preschooler win big. 

What are the Olympic Games?

The Olympic Games are a combination of athletic events in which countries compete against each other. The Games bring together athletes from more than 200 countries. The Winter Olympics feature winter sports, like hockey, skiing and ice skating. The Summer Olympics feature warmer-weather sports like swimming, beach volleyball and triathlon. 

This year’s Olympic Winter Games are co-hosted by the cities of Milan and the mountain resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy and are referred to as the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The Olympic Winter Games are slated for February 6-22, 2026, and the Paralympic Winter Games, which feature athletes with physical or intellectual differences, are scheduled for March 6-15, 2026. 

The history of the Olympic Games can be traced back to ancient Greece, with the modern Olympic Games kicking off in 1896 but not formally taking hold until the 1924 Games in Paris. Today, the Olympics take place every two years, alternating between the Winter and Summer Games (meaning there are four years between Winter Games). The next Summer Olympic Games will take place in Los Angeles, California from July 14-30, 2028 (with the Paralympic Summer Games occurring August 15-27, 2028). 

How to Watch the 2026 Olympic Winter Games

NBC is the official U.S. media partner of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, with coverage of the Games also appearing on USA Network and CNBC. NBC’s online platform, Peacock, offers live and on-demand streaming of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, with monthly rates starting at $7.99 (or $10.99 for full access to NBC broadcasts). Find out more about “How do I watch the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Games?” from NBCOlympics.com. In Denver, families can find coverage updates at 9News.com/Olympics. For people traveling outside of the United States, full Olympic Winter Games media information can be found for many countries here. 

Olympic Winter Games Activities for Preschoolers

There are many fun ways to involve preschool children in the excitement of the Olympic Games. Here are some suggestions: 

• Pick a winter sport featured at the Games. Learn about the sport and talk about it together. Keep track of when the sport will be broadcast (check out the competition schedule for dates and times of competitions) and watch the coverage live or on demand together. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, try out the sport with your little learner. 
• Dive into a book or two about the Olympics. Check out these fun suggestions: 
  • “11 Winning Picture Books about the Winter Olympics”
  • “Kids Books About the Olympics” 
• Watch the Opening Ceremony on February 6, 2026 (either live or on demand). Pick out a country or color to cheer for, talk about the torch lighting and enjoy the unique entertainment. From dancing to lights and costumes to music, there is certain to be something for fans of all ages to admire. 
• Create your own fun and games. From puzzles to Play-Doh, these ideas from Pocket of Preschool offer great ways to engage preschoolers in the Olympic fun. “How To Play Winter Olympics With Fun Indoor Games For Kids” provides ways to try speed skating, the luge, and curling with your family. Number hockey and fun with Olympic rings (and M&Ms) also provide great options for getting your preschooler into the action right in your home. You can even host your own mini Olympics at home with these great tips. While geared toward the 2022 Winter Olympics, this post from We Are Teachers has some great suggestions for incorporating any Winter Olympics into the preschool classroom (or to try at home). 
• Cook up some Olympic-themed treats. Preschool Olympics Themes for the classroom (or home) highlights a range of fun Olympic ideas including popcorn torch cups and fruit ring pizza. “9 Festive Recipes That Deserve a Gold Medal” outlines how to make Oreo gold medals, veggie torch cups and more. 
• Download our fun Winter Olympic color sheets (Winter Olympics Coloring Sheet 1 and Winter Olympics Coloring Sheet 2). Then follow us on Instagram for some fun Olympic-themed activities.

Stay in the Game All Year Long

Winter Olympic insights for preschool families is just one of the many topics we cover in our blog for Denver families. Check out our other posts and tips for preschool families. For families in Denver, lower your preschool costs by applying for tuition support from Denver Preschool Program. There’s still time to apply for the current school year or get a jump on next year by submitting your 2026-27  today–lower your preschool costs by applying today!