Today, we’re diving into a fun winter project that’s perfect for indoor winter days. It’s all about creating your very own Fake Snow Sensory Bin – a mini winter wonderland that will not only dazzle your eyes but also tickle your fingertips!
Creating a sensory bin is like whipping up a recipe for fun. It stirs up creativity, curiosity, and even a bit of science – all mixed together in a bowl of awesome. And the best part? You’re making fake snow that feels like the real deal, without the need to bundle up! So, roll up your sleeves (or don’t, because this is an indoor activity), and let’s jump into our winter wonderland adventure!
What You’ll Need:
- Corn Starch: The snowy foundation of our wintry mix.
- Shaving Cream: To add fluffiness and volume to our powdery snow.
- Winter Animals: Because what’s a winter scene without some cool critters?
- Foam Balls: These are our pretend snowballs, ready for some frosty fun.
- Silver Glitter: To add that magical, sparkly touch that every winter wonderland needs.
Let’s Create a Snowy Sensory Bin!
- Mix It Up: Start by combining 3 cups of shaving cream with 3 cups of corn starch. Dive in there with your hands – it’s part of the fun! Mix it all up until the texture reminds you of kinetic sand. You’ll know you’re done when you can sculpt a ball that holds its shape.
- Add the Magic: Sprinkle in some silver glitter for that glistening, freshly-fallen snow effect. Then, gently fold in your winter animals and foam balls, creating a scenic, snowy landscape.
How They Played
The laughter and excitement were as abundant as the glittering snowflakes in our living room when my children dove into the fake snow sensory bin. Their tiny fingers eagerly explored the soft, fluffy texture, sculpting snowballs and crafting miniature snowmen with glee. They were utterly absorbed, assigning roles to the winter animals and enacting frosty adventures, their imaginations running wild in this chilly, magical landscape. It wasn’t just play; it was an enchanting journey into a wintry wonderland, right there in the warmth of our home, filled with tactile learning.
Tips for Sensory Bin Success:
- Go with the Flow: If your mixture feels too dry, add a bit more shaving cream. Too sticky? A sprinkle of corn starch will do the trick.
- Embrace the Mess: Sensory play is meant to be hands-on and, sometimes, a bit messy. Lay down a tablecloth or play mat to make cleanup a breeze.
- Safety First: Always supervise your little ones during playtime, especially the tiny tots who might find those foam balls too tempting to taste!
Skills Sprinkled with Fun:
This sensory bin isn’t just about fun; it’s a silent teacher too. As kids squish, sculpt, and explore, they’re honing fine motor skills, indulging in creative play, and getting a tactile experience that’s hard to beat. It’s like a mini brain gym covered in snow!
Clean-Up Tips:
After the winter playtime is over, cleaning up is part of the journey. Shake off the excess snow into a bin, and use a damp cloth to wipe away any rogue snowflakes. Remember, our fake snow is best friends with a vacuum cleaner, making your snowy day aftermath a chill breeze!
Storage Secrets for Endless Winter Fun:
When it’s time to store your fake snow, let it dry out a bit first. Then, tuck it away in an airtight container. Ready for more frosty fun later? Just add a dash more shaving cream, give it a good mix, and your snowy paradise is back in business! Before each play session, do a quick check for any unwanted moldy visitors.
And there you have it – your very own Fake Snow Sensory Bin, ready to make any day a snow day! So, gather your materials, and let your living room become the coolest spot in town. Happy crafting, and stay frosty!
Age Suitability
This sensory bin is great for toddlers aged children 2 years old and up with adult assistance.
Mess Level
The mess level for this sensory bin is high.
Difficulty to Create
Easy.
Toddler and Preschooler Curriculums, Books & TV Show!
Play2Learn Toddler & Preschool Programs for Curious Toddlers
There is no limit to your toddler’s energy and curiosity. That energy and curiosity although a joy can be challenging at times. Their interest in just about everything around them is what makes them great learners. One and two year olds can soak up so much just from their senses!
But as a teacher or parent that thirst for learning can be exhausting. That is why I created this toddler and preschooler program. To help you get the most out of this time with your curious toddler without having to come up with creative ways to play and interact with them.
Play2Learn for Toddlers includes 20 Units for toddlers. Each 2-week toddler unit has 20 super easy to set up and engaging activities for toddlers 18 months to 3 years.
Play2Learn Preschool which includes 20 Units for preschoolers. Each 2-week preschoolers unit has 20 unique and easy to set up and engaging activities for preschoolers 3 years to 5 years. That’s over 800 learning activities for your toddler and preschooler at your fingertips! So many ideas you and your child will never be bored again!
These toddler and preschool lesson plans and activities will definitely keep you and your toddler and preschooler busy playing and learning!
Click here for more information: Play2Learn
Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.
Book: Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids
Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids. Or grab your copy at Amazon.
Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.
Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.
Book: Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids
Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more.
Find out more and grab your copy here.
Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.
Book: Big Book of Riddles for Kids
Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast? The Big Riddle Book for Kids, of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles tha. t show them how to think outside the box.
- 350 riddles for kids—Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
- Level up their skills—Riddles get trickier as kids progress through the book, challenging them as they get better at solving puzzles!
- Double-check their work—Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.
Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!
Designed for kids ages 6 years old and up.
TV Show: Curious Crafting
I’m so excited to share my crafting TV show Curious Crafting which launched in July 2022 on TVOkids and TVOkids YouTube! Season 2 aired in August 2023! My show was also nominated in 2023 for Best Live Action Preschool Series by the Youth Media Alliance Awards of Excellence.
Curious Crafting Season 1 is also now airing in Australia on ABC! Watch it here!
Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.
In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create.
Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.
This show designed for toddlers and preschoolers 2.5 years old and up.
The Best Sensory Play Kits for Kids
Play is at the core of learning during the early years and it can take many forms. One of the most important of these is sensory play because it engages all of a child’s senses (taste, touch, smell, sight and hearing) and has a enoumous positive impact on brain development.
Our Sensory Play Kits are some fun and easy ways to keep your child engaged while at the same time using sensory play to nurture their mind!
Shop our ready made play kits here.
Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.
Fake Snow Sensory Bin
Materials
- Corn Starch: The snowy foundation of our wintry mix.
- Shaving Cream: To add fluffiness and volume to our powdery snow.
- Winter Animals: Because what's a winter scene without some cool critters?
- Foam Balls: These are our pretend snowballs, ready for some frosty fun.
- Silver Glitter: To add that magical, sparkly touch that every winter wonderland needs.
Instructions
- Mix It Up: Start by combining 3 cups of shaving cream with 3 cups of corn starch. Dive in there with your hands – it's part of the fun! Mix it all up until the texture reminds you of kinetic sand. You'll know you're done when you can sculpt a ball that holds its shape.
- Add the Magic: Sprinkle in some silver glitter for that glistening, freshly-fallen snow effect. Then, gently add in your winter animals and foam balls, creating a scenic, snowy landscape.
WILL YOU SET UP THEIS FAKE SNOW SENSORY BIN FOR KIDS? PIN IT FOR LATER!
