Yippee! As we looked at the raindrops that landed with a decided plunk on our windshield yesterday, my daughter and I both realized that it was very, very close to snowing. Since we don’t generally get a lot of snow here in the Pacific Northwest, the first snowfall is an exciting event.
How can you and your preschooler play with snow this year? It’s time for some snow science, of course!
Grab a magnifying glass and head outdoors, preferably with a plastic or acrylic-coated jacket on. Or set out a tablecloth to collect the snow. You want a surface that is dark, not particularly warm, and that doesn’t cause the snowflakes to clump together. Take the magnifying glass and examine the snowflakes. Can you see the crystal structure? Snowflakes are ice crystals, and some of them grow into amazingly intricate patterns.
Fluffy snow is bulky but light. This allows children to experiment with texture. Bring out the bath toys, and experiment. Pack the snow down into blocks. Pour some water into the snow and see how it feels. Stomp the snow with your feet – does this make it harder or softer? Blow on the snow – what happens? Can you change the texture of the snow by stirring it with a spoon or with your foot?
How much does snow weigh? Bring out some little Ziploc bags and a kitchen scale. Place water in one bag, snow in another, and icicles in another. Try to fill up each bag to approximately the same place. Which one weighs more? Which one weighs less? Why?
The last experiment is the most delicious. What happens when snow meets a liquid? Add a few drops of diluted food coloring to the snow and watch what happens. Better yet, get some blueberry or raspberry syrup and some clean snow and watch the color move through the crystal structure. Afterwards, eat your science experiment!
Preschool science doesn’t need to be complex. What experiments have you and your preschooler done with snow?