Snow fun by Karen Whiting

It’s winter and snow will fall in some places. I live where it’s warmer so we have to make do with other activities to celebrate the season. If you have snow enjoy the sledding, making forts and snowmen, and ice skating.

If you live in a warmer climate enjoy an indoor ice rink for skating, snow cones, and making artificial snow to use. The easiest way is to pull out the fuzzy padding in a diaper and add water. It’s chemical composition makes artificial snow.

Inside, make snow people from ice cream! Or make a cup of hot cocoa and use whip cream to spray in a snow person and watch the whipped snow melt! Or drop in large and small marshmallows to create a snow person. Ot use round banana slices to build a fort or snow person on a plate.

Brr…staying warm

Cold also means learning to layer clothing. Chat about the importance of hats to keep in body heat or to take it off and cool off. Discuss what can be layered without needing to look and walk like an abominable snowman. It can also be fun to learn about knitting and fabrics that keep you warm. Try spool knitting and weaving.

Snuggle up by a fireplace and chat about fire safety. Toast marshmallows and enjoy hot cocoa. Or make some snowman cookies and decorate them.

Extend the fun

Make paper snowflakes and look up Snowflake Bentley who first photographed snowflakes. Use cotton balls to make some snow pictures or to toss them as indoor snowballs. Wear white and play indoor snowman hide and seek. Build a snowman by stuffing white pillow cases and tying the opening closed.

Freeze water in various containers and then have fun making ice sculptures and playing with ice cubes.

Make shaved ice. Pour it or real snow into a jar and mark the height. Let it melt and check the height or the water. Place shaved ice or snow into a zip lock bag that you have decorated with a snowman face. Let children squish the snow.

Use Styrofoam balls for snowballs to toss at a target or into a bucket. Try piling them up and see how many layers they can build before it tumbles down.

Be sure to take photos of all the fun to remember it on hot days.

Blessings,

Karen