Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire’s so delightful….and since we have no place to go —
Let’s make a small world out of snow!
We’ve been stuck inside the past few days due to windchill factors well below zero. Even though the kids generally are best buds, we were all getting to the point of getting on each other’s nerves.
I was trying to think of something fun for the kids to do, when my son asked me why we hadn’t played with the water table for a while.
Ding, ding, ding! Water is ALWAYS a hit!
So I dragged it inside from the garage and set it up on an old blanket downstairs. Then I filled half of the table with water and decided to fill the other half with some of that snow that was piled up outside.
I added a couple polar bears and a walrus from our outdoor toys. (I figured it would be more exciting to play with toys they hadn’t seen in a while.) And, of course, I added a few trucks to help move all that snow!
I set up our walrus on a little ice burg made of snow, and then I called them downstairs to play.
Right away the trucks got to work!
They both had fun seeing what happened when they mixed the snow with the water. They created several small ice burgs and watched as the snow changed colors (from white to more clear) and eventually melted in the cold water.
They played happily for almost an hour with their Arctic small world, all while staying snug and warm inside. (I love bringing snow inside!)
I could have really went to town with this idea — we have tons of snow-loving animals in our collection. But sometimes simple is better. It was fun listening to them work together to tell a story about the trucks moving snow for the polar bear and his friends. And it was just the distraction they needed from being cooped up inside.
JDaniel4's Mom says
I love the idea of bringing in snow and the water table! Now I just need some snow.
OneMommy says
Hoping you get a little bit of snow to enjoy this year! 🙂
The Dose of Reality says
You are so smart! Water play is always a hit!! It didn’t dawn on me how fun it would be to see the water and snow mix, but of course it was! It’s funny the things we just take for granted that are actually awesome if they are new to you!! FUN!!! –Lisa
OneMommy says
Sometimes we forget that our kids don’t actually know some of those easy things, like what happens when water and snow mix… It’s fun to see it through their eyes!
Sarah @ Play 2 Learn with Sarah says
That’s a great idea! I bet they had fun! Our sand/water table is a mess…maybe I’ll dump some ice cubes in it and let them play!
Stephanie Kay says
The best part of bringing snow indoors is that mom stays warm! Wish I had thought of that when my oldest kids were little! Thanks for sharing via Family Fun Friday.
OneMommy says
That is definitely one of my favorite parts of bringing it inside! 😉
Donna DM Yates says
This was a great idea. I love that walrus.
maryanne @ mama smiles says
Water play is always popular in our house, and I love your arctic small world theme! Thanks for sharing with the Afterschool linky party this week!