Winter Fun For Little Ones!

Press release from the Cromaine District Library:

December 10, 2021

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Well, to some of us anyway. I know a lot of people don’t like the winter. Every year my husband and I have the same exact conversation that goes something like this....

Him: Ugh, it’s so cold! I hate winter!

Me: You know you live in Michigan, and this happens every year, right?

Him: I know! It’s the worst!

As you can see, he will not be prancing through a winter wonderland any time soon. I, on the other hand, am one of those happy little elves who actually prefer winter to summer (when I prefer to hide inside like a bear who has her seasons mixed up (oooh, book idea!).

If you want an excuse to not have to take your little ones out to play in the snow this season, I’ve got you covered! Break out any of these activities and your kids will have SNOW much fun staying inside!

Sparkly Slime

There are lots of great slime recipes to be found, but my personal favorite is this one.

Supplies:

• 1/2 cup Clear PVA School Glue (Elmer's is the best!

• 1 tablespoon Contact Solution (must contain boric acid and sodium borate)

• 1/2 cup of Water

• 1/2 tsp Baking Soda

• Optional: Food coloring, confetti, glitter, and other fun mix-ins

Instructions:

1. Mix the glue and water in a bowl.

2. In a separate bowl, mix the contact solution with the baking soda.

3. Pour the contact solution and baking soda mixture into the watery glue.

4. Add any color, glitter, or mix-ins.

5. Use your hands to mix. It will take a few minutes to turn into slime. Be patient and enjoy the mess!

6. If your slime is too sticky after a few minutes of mixing, add a little more contact solution and mix again.

To make your slime extra "wintery", you could add blue food color or liquid watercolor, snowflake sequins, glitter, red and green or blue and silver puff balls, or really anything you like! If I was going to make this, I would leave it white and just add some iridescent glitter to make it nice and sparkly! Once you have the basic slime formula down, the possibilities are endless!

Indoor Snowball Fight

You can buy indoor snowballs like these, or you can use cotton balls (which are hilarious because they are harder to throw than you might think) or even balled up socks. Make your own rules and have a blast! Another option for this game is Snowball Target Practice where instead of throwing at each other (or the dog if you are mean) you can pick a target (pillow, hamper, stuffed animal etc.) and have the kids try to hit that.

Playdoh

Not as messy as slime, but just as fun! Try this recipe and set up a snowman station with white playdoh, pipe cleaners, buttons, sequins, or whatever else you want! Another fun option is to make a playdoh baking station. Give the kids cookie cutters and encourage them to create holiday cookies. For an extra touch you can add sprinkles and make a baking sheet out of cardboard and foil.

Jingle Bell Rock (and roll)

This is some great sensory play with lots of fun colors and sounds!

Supplies:

• A box or container you can close

• Paper

• Tape

• Paint

• Small craft bells (I found them at the dollar tree)

Instructions:

1. Line a box or food storage container with paper.

2. Add paint (start with a little: you can always add more later!).

3. Put some bells in the box and close the lid.

4. Shake, rattle, rock, and roll!

Snow Painting

This is one I have done with my kids for years. It’s simple, they love it, and it keeps them occupied for quite a while! All you need is a container (a baking sheet with edges works great), snow, paint and brushes. I buy those $1 watercolor pallets, but you could definitely use any craft paint you have. When we do this activity, we always set our baking sheets right on the floor with a lot of towels under our work area.

Snowmallow Structures

Did I just make up a word? Looks like it! Let’s be like a snowball and roll with it. Grab a bag of marshmallows and a box of toothpicks (the Dollar Tree sells both of these #notsponsored) and see what you can create. If you don’t end up eating your building, you can let it harden and keep it on display all season!

Remember friends, winter is coming -- WEATHER you like it or not, so FREEZE the day because you SNOW it to yourself to have the best season ever! If you try any of these THAWsome activities, be sure to let us know what you think and then pat your sELF on the back for being the pinterest parent you always wanted to be.

Have a nICE day!

~Bekah :)

This press release was produced by the Cromaine District Library. The views expressed are the author's own.