This week we had our 12th snow day of the school year. Since so many of those snow days have occurred on days where it has been too frigid to go outside to play in the snow, we’ve been finding ways to have a little fun with snow inside. At least it’s one way to avoid cabin fever this winter.
This time around, instead of just bringing the snow indoors to play, we got a bit creative and did Snow Painting!
I set up 2 stations for our snow painting. The kindergartner asked to paint in the bathroom sink, which really made clean up a breeze! I filled up a couple buckets of snow and dumped them into the sink, pressing them down a bit to make them more flat.
For paint I added several drops of food coloring to 3 different containers of water, stirring them to mix each color well.
In no time she was creating a masterpiece!
The preschooler asked to paint at the table. I pulled out a large cake pan and filled it with snow, pressing it flat at the top. I used one of our ice pop molds to hold his paint — a great use for those molds when it’s too cold for icy treats.
Along with his paintbrush I gave him a baster to add color to the snow. It took a little while, but soon he was squeezing it to pick up his paint and add it carefully to his creation. (Okay, so he filled the baster up and squeezed it all over the snow, laughing all the while, but he had fun while building those hand muscles!)
As the kids created their artwork, we realized something. It looked a lot like snow cones! So, as a special treat, we made snow cones with some of the snow that was piled on our back picnic table. No crushing up of ice required! We just added a scoop of snow and a bit of snow cone flavoring and enjoyed!
Painting Snow is a simple way to help kids avoid cabin fever this winter.
For more ideas:
- Ways to Avoid Cabin Fever — Over 20 fun ways to keep kids busy this winter.
- Fizzy Snow Science Experiment — Kids love making things bubble and fizz.
- Melting Snowman STEM Activity — A great use for those packing peanuts.
Chris Carter says
I love those ideas!! I bought my kids the “Snow paint” from Target and they have used it to decorate the lawn nicely!! Your post made me think of that… 🙂 Had I known I could just mix the food coloring and water…? Oh well, we have the containers to use at least!
OneMommy says
I didn’t even know they made actual snow paint! LOL. I bet your lawn looks lovely!
Julia says
That’s a clever way to play with the snow . Atleast you are making the most of the snow days .
OneMommy says
We have had a lot of snow this year — but it’s also been colder than any winter I remember. Kids just don’t understand when they can’t go out in the stuff, but bringing it in helps!
sara/creativejewishmom says
Such a fun idea, wish I had more opportunity to give my kids some snow activities! thanks for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!
Susen says
Well, we have yet another snow day today and I’m thinkin’ we might just give this activity a try!! Great idea!!
Mrs.AOK says
This is such a fun idea! Thanks for sharing via Mommy Monday!
I am going to pin this to our MMBH board.
XOXO
OneMommy says
Thanks for pinning it! 🙂
Carrie @ Kenarry: Ideas for the Home says
What a great idea! My three year old and I are getting bored after all this snow, snow and more snow. I have a one year old who takes two naps a day so we haven’t really been able to go outside and play (plus it’s been way too cold most days for this momma!) I love this idea, though, to bring the snow inside to us!
OneMommy says
It has been so awfully cold this winter! Just no fun to go out and play.
Have fun painting the snow!
maryanne @ mama smiles says
Yes! This is so fun! My kids loved doing this back when we lived near snow.
OneMommy says
My daughter is already asking if we can do it tomorrow when it’s too cold to go outside. 🙂