Embrace the magic of this winter season with these DIY activities that will bring a touch of wonder to your children's days. From crafting your very own snow globe to growing ice crystals and even indulging in some slimy fun, we've got you covered! Here are five winter-themed crafts kids are sure to warm up to.
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Getty Images | Canva1. Create Your Snow Globe Wonderland
Kids love snow globes — watching the magic of the little world inside and the twinkling snow as it slowly twirls through the water inside. But what if they could make their own? That would really bring the magic alive! Here is how your kids can make their very own snow globe at home — and you probably already have all the supplies you need right on hand!
What you need:Cleaned wide-mouth glass jar with lid • Glitter • Small figurine • Water
Directions:Glue a small figure to the inside of the lid. Fill jar with water and sprinkle in glitter. Screw lid on tightly. Turn upside down, shake, and watch the magic happen!
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Laura Miller | Macaroni KID Appleton-Waupaca-Oshkosh, Wis.Snow fun! Make your own snow
Making homemade snow is a fun and easy way to add a little bit of winter magic to your day, no matter what your weather is outside! Making fake snow is great for sensory play. The cool and soft texture of the snow can be calming and soothing for children, especially if they’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Plus, it’s an excellent opportunity for kids to use their imaginations and explore their creativity.
What you need:2 1/2 cups of pure baking soda • 1/2 cup white hair conditioner
Directions:Mix 2 1/2 cups of pure baking soda with 1/2 cup of white hair conditioner in a large bowl until the ingredients are well combined.
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Lacie Dooley | Macaroni KIDGrow your own crystals, Elsa-style
Growing your own ice crystal at home is super easy — and is sure to wow your kids, no matter how old they are. Plus, you're sneaking in a science lesson! You need just a few common household ingredients in order to go all Elsa and grow your own ice crystals:
What you need: 6 Tbsp borax powder • 2 cups water • Glass jar • Pipe cleaners • Clothespin
Instructions:Boil water. Make a pipe cleaner "snowflake" by cutting two pieces of pipe cleaners approximately 2 inches long and twisting together. Twist the rest of the pipe cleaners on in any kind of shape you'd like. Leave one side of your pipe cleaner creation long and attach the clothespin. Add the borax powder to the jar. Pour the boiling water into the jar. Immediately lower the snowflake into the solution, using the clothespin across the top of the jar to keep it from falling in.
Have your kids observe the crystal every few hours to see how it is changing, or even consider making a time-lapse video! Your crystal will be "done" in about six hours. The longer you let the snowflake sit in the solution, the more crystals will form.
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Get winter slimed
Is there ever a wrong time for slime? Absolutely not, if you ask our kids. This slime is a little different as it comes out nice and fluffy — just like a beautiful winter snowfall. Use any food coloring color your kids like, then add some winter-themed confetti or beads for seasonal fun — without the freezing temperatures.
What you need:1/2 cup white glue • 3-4 cups unscented shaving cream • Food coloring • 1/4 tsp baking soda • 1 Tbsp saline contact solution • Winter-themed confetti, beads, glitter, etc.
Instructions:Combine 1/2 cup white glue and 3 to 4 cups shaving cream in a large bowl. Mix well. Add a few drops of food coloring. Stir to mix in the color. Stir in 1/4 tsp baking soda. Add 1 Tbsp. saline contact solution a little at a time while mixing. Keep adding the contact solution and mixing until the slime becomes a ball and is less sticky. If it is too sticky, add a tiny bit of contact solution at a time until it isn't sticky. Stir in your confetti, beads, and/or glitter.
Sarah Hauge | Macaroni KID Englewood-Greenwood Village-Centennial, Colo |
Snow painting: Bring winter indoors
Who says you can't bring the snowy outdoors in? If you're lucky enough to live where there's snow on the ground, try this simple and fun idea from Macaroni KID Englewood-Greenwood Village-Centennial, Colo., publisher Sarah Hauge.
What you need:Snow • Chilled container (to keep the snow from melting longer) • Paintbrush • Cups • Water mixed with a few drops of food dye (or just use watercolor paints!)
Directions:Fill the container with snow. Mix up some watercolors by combining food dye and water. Let your child's imagination do the rest. Once the snow melts, you'll have your very own colored water for extra fun.
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DIY Activities for Winter Season:
The article suggests various do-it-yourself (DIY) activities to bring a touch of wonder to your children's days during the winter season. The activities mentioned include creating a snow globe, making homemade snow, growing ice crystals, and creating winter-themed slime. These activities aim to provide sensory play, creativity, and opportunities for learning while embracing the magic of winter.
Let's break down the concepts used in the article:
Snow Globe Wonderland:
A snow globe is a decorative item that typically consists of a glass or plastic sphere filled with water, glitter, and a small figurine. The article suggests making your own snow globe at home with the following supplies:
- Cleaned wide-mouth glass jar with lid
- Glitter
- Small figurine
The process involves gluing a small figurine to the inside of the lid, filling the jar with water, and sprinkling in glitter. By screwing the lid on tightly and turning the snow globe upside down, you can create the magical effect of snow swirling through the water.
Making Homemade Snow:
Making homemade snow is a fun and sensory activity that can be enjoyed regardless of the weather outside. The article provides a simple recipe for creating fake snow using the following ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups of pure baking soda
- 1/2 cup white hair conditioner
To make the fake snow, you need to mix the baking soda and hair conditioner in a large bowl until well combined. The resulting mixture has a cool and soft texture, providing a calming and imaginative play experience for children.
Growing Ice Crystals:
Growing ice crystals at home is an exciting activity that can fascinate children while incorporating a science lesson. The article suggests the following supplies and steps to grow your own ice crystals:
- 6 Tbsp borax powder
- 2 cups water
- Glass jar
- Pipe cleaners
- Clothespin
The process involves boiling water, creating a pipe cleaner "snowflake" shape, attaching it to a clothespin, and placing it in a solution of borax powder and boiling water. Over time, the borax solution forms crystals on the pipe cleaner, creating a beautiful and mesmerizing effect.
Winter Slimed:
Slime-making is a popular activity among kids, and the article provides a recipe for creating winter-themed slime. The supplies and instructions are as follows:
- 1/2 cup white glue
- 3-4 cups unscented shaving cream
- Food coloring
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 Tbsp saline contact solution
- Winter-themed confetti, beads, glitter, etc.
The process involves combining the glue and shaving cream, adding food coloring for desired color, stirring in baking soda, and gradually adding saline contact solution until the slime reaches the desired consistency. Finally, you can mix in winter-themed confetti, beads, glitter, or other decorations to create a snowy effect.
Snow Painting:
The article also suggests a snow painting activity to bring the snowy outdoors inside. The supplies and directions for this activity are as follows:
- Snow
- Chilled container (to keep the snow from melting longer)
- Paintbrush
- Cups
- Water mixed with a few drops of food dye (or watercolor paints)
The process involves filling a container with snow and mixing up watercolors using food dye and water. Children can then use the paintbrush and colored water to paint on the snow, allowing their imagination to guide the creation. As the snow melts, the colored water adds an extra element of fun to the activity.
These DIY activities aim to engage children in creative and educational experiences during the winter season, providing opportunities for sensory play, imagination, and exploration.
