4 indoor activities with homemade snow
As a kid, I loved the snow—the wet magic of it that made the world brighter and cleaner and got me out of school. When you finally trudged in, it made hot chocolate that much sweeter and the house that much warmer and the snowman in the front yard that much more awesome when everything else melted and still he remained, a stoic companion.
But as a parent, my view of snow gets more complicated. Cancelled school isn’t quite so magical and the swaddling of kids in snowsuits takes approximately three times as long at the outdoor play itself. And if you are the parent of a kid like mine who uses any adaptive device to move or has sensory issues, snow can be the antithesis of fun.
And yet…kids are still kids and no matter their diagnoses or level of ability, they still feel the charm of snow too. So, here are four indoor activities you can do with homemade snow to bring the magic to them.
WATCH VIDEO To learn how to make indoor homemade snow
Supplies:
- 1 plastic container with lid for storage (the snow will last for up to two weeks)
- 2 boxes of cornstarch (32 ounces total)
- 1 can of foaming shaving cream (choose unscented for kids with sensitive skin)
- various materials for decorating
Steps for Making Homemade Snow:
- Empty containers of cornstarch into storage bin
- Have your child add the shaving cream (because the spraying is the best part)
- Mix with your hands until the “snow” starts to form in clumps (this is great sensory stimulus)
- When you are done mixing and playing, replace the lid on the bin and save the snow for another day!
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Activities:
Winter Wonderland
This one’s easy and fun. You’re making a landscape and it can be whatever theme your kid wants it to be: Star Wars, Paw Patrol, Under the Sea, Superheroes, Outer Space…You already have the raw material. So, make mountains or oceans or planets or parks and then let your child gather up whatever items he or she wants to add to the snow (Legos, action figures, sticks and rocks from outside, old Christmas ornaments, etc) and create a new world!
Glow/Paint Snow
If you want to get a little messier, you can add glow paint to the snow and make some Jackson Pollack snow art that glows in the dark. Glow paint is available at most craft stores. Just make sure you get the washable kind. If you want the glow with a little less mess, bury glow sticks in your snow and have a little artificial campfire in the living room.
Snowman/Snowoman
This one’s fun because you can really give your snowman some style; just make sure you shape him or her flat in the bin so you have more space to decorate. Go traditional and gather buttons and sticks and yarn and carrots for your snowperson. Or add a little pizzazz with feathers or sequins or glitter. It can also be a snowcreature too—bird, tiger, lion, Gruffalo—whatever your kid can think up.
Snow Alphabet Hunt
This is a great way to sneak in some education while you play. Get a cheap set of alphabet letters (wooden or plastic or magnets) if you don’t already have one on hand and bury the letters. Have your child dig them out and line them up until he or she has found all 27 and then spell some snow themed words—“let it snow”, “merry and bright”, “frosty the snowman”, etc.
Whatever activity you choose, I guarantee you that your child will get a kick out of the homemade snow. And you don’t have to suit them up or worry about the cold or falls on the ice. It’s a little playtime for your out-of-school afternoon.
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Jamie Sumner is a writer and author of the website, The Mom Gene (mom-gene.com [5]) and the mother to a son with cerebral palsy and twins.
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- A to Zoo Accessibility at KidZooU Hamilton Family Children’s Zoo & Faris Family Education Center [7]
- 10 Places That Offer Special Days for Special Needs [8]
- 4 Tips for Managing Parties and Social Gatherings this Summer [9]
- Top 10 Fun and Accessible Activities to Do This Summer [10]
- Summer Travel & Outdoor Fun with Apps [11]
- Picnic in the Garden: Sensory Play and Sensory Foods for the Outdoors [12]
- 5 Great Opportunities for Outdoor Activity [13]
- It’s Fall: Sneak in a Little Outdoor Fun Together With Your Kids [14]
- Cool Rules: Preventing Heat Stress In Special Needs Children [15]
- Free Access Pass to America the Beautiful [16]
This post originally appeared on our January/February 2018 Magazine [17]