Build a Snow Structure
The Eskimos use the word igloo to mean any type of house, but we
usually think of igloos as fashioned from snow. These are rarely
build by the Eskimos these days, but references to them still abound.
Try your hand at constructing a shelter made from "bricks" of packed snow.
The Eskimos actually cut their blocks from solidly packed snow...you can
make your "bricks" using a mold such as a bread pan or a heavy plastic
container.
"Wet" snow works best, but "dry" snow can be moistened with water
to help bind it together. Make a sturdy structure by overlapping
the bricks and gradually doming the top, or simply build straight walls
and anchor a tarpaulin over the top as a roof.
Make Angels in the Snow
Besides making your own tracks in the snow...make angels, trees
and other shapes using your whole body! Dress warmly (hmmm...and
waterproof clothing!!) and then go for it!
Art Experiment - Frozen Paper
Facts: When watercolour paint comes in contact with the frozen
paper, it cools and nearly freezes too. This cooling slows down the
movement of the paint molecules and the paint begins to freeze and begins
to behave more like a solid. If the paper begins to thaw or melt,
the molecules of paint and water move faster and mix more easily, much
like the usual behaviour of paint and water. Now, enough of Science
101....and on to the fun stuff!!!!
You will need: freezer (or freezing day outdoors)
heavy paper
water
shallow pan
cookie sheet
watercolor paints and brushes
Dip the paper in a shallow pan of water until it's thoroughly wet.
Place the wet paper on a cookie sheet. Place the cookie sheet and
paper in the freezer or outside to freeze. When frozen, remove the
paper from the freezer and paint on the paper before it thaws.
Variations: Freeze a different variety of papers for painting
- paper towel, coffee filter, construction paper, typing paper. Draw
with chalk on frozen paper. Paint with tempura paints on frozen paper.
Art Experiment - Frost Plate
Facts: Water is a unique substance because it can be ice (a
solid), water (a liquid), or water vapor (a gas), all within a close range
of temperatures. When the petroleum jelly is placed in the freezer,
water vapor in the freezer FREEZES and crystallizes on the jelly where
it is easily seen. The water vapor molecules slow down when
cooled to 32oF(0oC) or below and arrange themselves in a regular pattern
on the petroleum jelly as they form ice CRYSTALS. Now for the fun......
You will need:
petroleum jelly
clear glass pie plate
freezer
Smear petroleum jelly on the glass pie plate. Draw a design
in the jelly on the plate with fingers. Clean hands. Put the
plate in the freezer for 2 hours. Remove the plate and look at the
frost designs.
Coconut Snowman
Draw outline of a snowman on black paper with chalk. Spread
paste over snowman. Sprinkle shredded coconut over the paste.
Use raisins for eyes, mouth, buttons!
Cotton Ball Snowman
By gluing cotton balls and scraps of yarn and fabric on dark construction
paper the children can create their own snowman.
Snowman Stick Puppets
Cut out snowman shapes out of white cardboard paper. Children
can decorate their snowman with cutout pieces of felt, small buttons, sparkles,
etc. Tape a popsicle stick to the back of the snowman.
Songs, Finger Plays, Nursery
Rhymes
Dance Like Snowflakes
(Sung to the tune of "Frere Jacques")
Dance like snowflakes. Dance like snowflakes.
In the air. In the air.
Whirling, twirling, snowflakes.
Whirling, twirling, snowflakes.
Here and there. Here and there.
Recipes
Snow Cream
Who can resist eating some new fallen snow? You can make a
tasty treat from snow called Snow Cream! Two recipes follow, the
first using snow as the main ingredient, the second using snow as the freezing
agent!
Snow Cream #1:
Into a bowl of clean snow, sprinkle some granulated sugar and vanilla
extract; and a bit of milk or cream to make a slushy treat. Eat it
with a spoon or sip it through a straw as it melts!
Snow Cream #2:
Into an aluminum can or bowl, mix together 1/2 cup milk, 1 tblsp.
sugar, and a tblsp. condensed milk. Flavor it with a little vanilla
extract or cocoa powder. Place the can inside a larger container
that has a layer of salt in it. Add snow (or crushed ice), alternating
with layers of more salt, until the inner can is completely nestled in
snow up its sides. With a wooden popsicle stick or spoon, continually
scrape the freezing snow cream away from the sides of the can, allowing
more of the mixture to freeze on contact with the cold metal.
In ten minutes or so, you should have a thick sluch. Enjoy!
Do you have a winter activity you would like to share?
