Using the Snow for Fun!

Knee deep in snow? Try waist deep or more for our little friends! Though it takes nearly twenty minutes to suit up to play in it, snow is an abundant and free sensory experience for our kids that we can use in some very 'cool' ways! Dig out (I know, enough with the puns) those cute kiddie sunglasses and pick one of these fun activities to make the most of the white stuff while we still have it. After all, the groundhog did see his shadow yesterday!

I always think of this movie when my kids are bundled up

Paint the Snow
Get a spray bottle, fill it with water and add a few drops of food coloring. It doesn't get much easier than that! This would also work well in squirt guns if you have them, or turkey basters. Depending on your child's age and how nimble he or she is wearing mittens, you may be the one doing the squirting but it is still fun to watch!

You can also read this mom's experience

Snow Ice Cream
I recently heard read that it is actually okay to eat the snow! Stick with clean snow in your backyard away from any animal waste and car pollutants. It is basically distilled water and is the major drinking source for mountaineers all over the world! So, why not make it even more enticing to children by following this recipe for snow ice cream?!

Recipe: 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup milk, 1 pinch salt, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, 8 cups clean snow

In a large bowl, whisk together all ingredients except the snow, then quickly stash it in your freezer while you run out to collect the snow! Mix the snow into the other ingredients until you reach a fluffy and scoopable consistency. Remember that this will melt fast so add some sprinkles and enjoy it right away!

...in case you want to see more of this recipe

Balloon Ice Sculptures
This is somewhat of a scientific process that you can explain to your kids and it looks amazing when complete! First, add a few grains of sand to whatever balloons you are using, otherwise the water may not freeze. The sand acts as a freezing nuclei for the water. Fill balloons with water and a few drops of food coloring. Then decide where you want to place the balloons outside, maybe along a walk way or on a deck where your child can see them. Let the balloons freeze and then peel away the pieces of balloon to reveal beautiful ice sculptures!

To read more about this process click here

Snow Sensory Play Inside
Finally, if it is just too hard to get outside with your littles, then bring the snow inside. That's right, grab a shower curtain, vinyl picnic tablecloth, highchair splat mat or a few beach towels and lay them on the kitchen floor. Then, fill a plastic taboggan sled or large shallow plastic container with snow and bring it inside. Add beach toys or cooking tools and let them explore!

This blogger has other great ideas!

About the author:
Liza d'Hemecourt is the blog coordinator for Parent Talk. She is a former kindergarten and first grade teacher and now stays home with her two children, ages two and three. She lives in Needham with her family and enjoys the connections she has made through her Parent Talk playgroup.