Sunday, February 12, 2012

Outdoor Adventures: Snow Play by Erin Uda

Let’s go outside and freeze things!  

(Image found HERE)
 Start with bubbles – did you know they freeze if you blow bubbles in weather colder than 32*F?  Blow a bubble, catch it on your wand, and watch it turn into a small crystal ball.  You can also just watch the liquid crystallize on the wand.

Make popsicles by putting them outside instead of in the freezer.  Make your favorite flavor and once you have it in the popsicle mold, cover it with plastic wrap if needed and set it in a safe, cold spot.  Wait a few hours and enjoy!

(Image and more ideas can be found at Play at Home Mom)
Experiment with ice.  Fill a small bucket and a cookie sheet with water and place them in a safe area outside to freeze.  Keep an eye on them to see which container of water freezes faster.
Once they’re fully frozen, sprinkle salt on half of each container.  What does the salt do?  How far down does it affect the ice?  Does it make a difference if you add more or less salt?  If you try kosher, rock or table salt?  Try a variation by filling two small buckets, one with saltwater, one with pure water.  Watch and see how long each takes to freeze.

(Image and idea found HERE)
Create ‘ice gems’ by filling small water balloons with water and food coloring, or placing drops of water on a lined cookie sheet, then freezing them.  See THIS LINK for details on how to make them.  When you’re finished, use your gems to decorate your front porch, garden, or yard.  Try making the ice buttons into rainbows by layering different colors of water as they freeze. We put ours in our empty planter pot and they look beautiful


(Image found HERE)
If you want more color outside, fill some spray bottles (you can get these from the dollar store) with water and food coloring.  Take them outside and create colorful designs in the snow.  Make snow angels and give them faces and clothing.  Or color your snowman.

If it’s snowing, bring a piece of black construction paper outside with you.  Catch snowflakes on it and observe the different shapes of each one.
(Image and idea found HERE)
And if you just want to enjoy the wonders of ice indoor, try this SENSORY TUB from COUNTING COCONUTS. It would be especially fun for your littlest ones!


Recommended Reading:

  • The Snowy Day, Ezra Jack Keats (Caldecott Medal winner)
  • The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter’s Wonder, Mark Cassino
  • The Snow Child, Harriet Ziefert
  • Charlie and Lola: Snow is my favorite and my best, Lauren Child
  • Let It Snow, Maryann Cocca-Leffler
  • The Jacket I Wear in the Snow, Shirley Neitzel