DIY Fake Snow
How to Make Snow!
Not only can snow provide a fun play environment, but it also has excellent therapeutic benefits. Sensory play promotes brain function (Action for Children, 2022), such as cognitive skills, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and practicing decision-making. Likewise, sensory tools can enhance fine and gross motor skills, essential skills for your child’s development, as they allow your child to write their name, brush their teeth, etc. Lastly, sensory play promotes socialization with others, and pretend play with peers; both are critical factors in developing social skills at a young age (Action for Children, 2022). Playing with the snow provides therapeutic benefits, and making snow does, too!
Although, what if you live in Texas, or the weather is just getting too cold? Well, we have the trick for you!
Let's make our own snow!
7DaysofPlay.com
Depending on your child’s sensory preferences, we have mapped out different ways to create play snow that isn’t as cold for your child, allows your child to play indoors, and provides snow where real snow may not fall! Below are five different recipes that, when created, resemble real-life snow!
The recipe I’ve decided to make alongside you is recipe one, so let’s begin!
Recipe One: Baking Soda and Conditioner
This recipe is for the kiddos who like sticky snow that will easily form into a snowman. For this recipe, use white-colored conditioner, as any other color conditioner will change the snow’s final color.
I got all the needed ingredients from the Dollar Store- making this a very inexpensive craft!
If you’re anything like me, I am always having to run back to the store due to forgetting an ingredient. Well no longer! Below are four other recipes for making homemade snow are detailed including common household ingredients, so you won’t need to run to the store for more!
1. Measure and pour 3 cups of baking soda.
2. Measure and add ½ cup hair conditioner into a bowl.
Since I couldn’t find white a conditioner, I chose this light blue color ( I think it turned out perfect! Gave my snowman a tint of blue which I loved!)
3. Mix 2 cups of baking soda with the hair conditioner to the bowl.
4. Continue adding the rest of the baking soda until the consistency of the snow mixture is crumbly- resembling snow.
Ready to play and build a snowman!
If you’re anything like me, I am always having to run back to the store due to forgetting an ingredient. Well no longer! Below are four other recipes for making homemade snow are detailed including common household ingredients, so you won’t need to run to the store for more!
Recipe Two: Baking Soda and Shaving Cream
This recipe contains equal parts baking soda and shaving cream. Ensure your shaving cream is white and foamy for the best snow-like results.
Add 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup shaving cream, and a few sprinkles of water to the bowl.
Mix well until a crumbly texture forms.
Ready to play!
Recipe Three: Shaving Cream and Cornflour
This recipe provides a dense, foamy, moldable texture with a smooth snow finish. If this texture sounds best to your kiddo, then let’s begin!
Measure out 32 oz of cornstarch and purchase one can of shaving cream.
Mix ingredients into a bowl until a snow-like texture has formed.
Ready to Play!
Recipe Four: Baking Soda and Water
This solution is best for children who want light and airy snow- it may not be the best for packing together, but it’s softer than the others!
Measure out 1 cup of baking soda and 1 TBSP of water.
Place baking soda and water into a bowl.
Mix together until the texture is light and airy.
Ready to Play!
Recipe Five: Cornstarch and Lotion
If your child prefers an ultimate crumbly texture, this is the snow concoction for you! This recipe contains equal parts cornstarch and lotion. Ensure your lotion is white for the best snow-like results. Added bonus: use minty or pine-smelling lotion to give the snow an extra sensory touch
Mix together equal parts cornflour and lotion for this crumbly snow recipe.
Ready to play!
References
Action for children. (2022, February 10). What is sensory play and why is it important?
https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/blog/what-is-sensory-play-and-why-is-it-important/#:~:text=Sensory%20play%20is%20a%20lot,complex%20tasks%20and%20problem%20solving.