Let it SNOW, Let it SNOW, Let it SNOW!
It is such a shame that when it snows the only children usually outside are from early years. Of course, there are reasons for this such as inappropriate outdoor clothing, lack of spare clothes and space to dry wet coats and gloves.
We need to make the most of snow, when it arrives, and expand our horizons from making snowmen or having snowball fights, and take advantage of this rarely seen (in the south at least) material to provide for numerous learning experiences across the curriculum.
Here are some ideas to get you going:
- Ordering snowballs by size – roll snowballs and place in order from smallest to largest – Who can make the smallest/largest snowball?
- Painting in the snow – Create a picture frame for the painting by using sticks and other natural materials to create a border then bring the paints outside and create away!
- Create snow animals – instead of snowmen – paint and decorate them with loose materials such as leaves, pine cones and sticks
- Create a light picture by placing glow sticks under the snow. How deep does the snow have to be before you cannot see the light?
- Create a snow den or igloo – Margarine containers make for great snow brick moulds. Pack the snow into the container and tap it out to make a snow brick, pack them side by side and build up to make a wall or den.
- Create a picture with loose materials in the snow
- Freeze superheroes/animals in ice (in advance) then set up an investigation as to how best to free them
- Create a work of art – Use spray bottles filled with food colouring to create pictures in the snow
- Create repeating patterns with loose materials
- Make 3d shapes by packing snow into containers – discover what you can make with them
- Read a story outside – Snuggle up in the snow den, with some blankets and hot chocolate, and read stories related to the snow
Footprints in the Snow by Mei Matsuoka – This can also be used as a stimulus for an investigation into footprints
Kipper’s snowy day by Mick Inkpen
The snowy day – by Anna Milbourne and Sarah Gill ( a simple information book about snow)
The Snowy day – Ezra Jack Keats
Elmer in the Snow – David McKee
The Polar Bear and the Snow Cloud – Jane Cabrera