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This 3-ingredient play snow is easy to make and so fun to play with! Use it in a winter-themed sensory bin for toddlers and preschoolers for lots of fun and exploration.
A play snow sensory bin is a fun indoor activity for your little ones, especially around the holidays. I recently made one for my 1.5 year old and my 4 year old, and it kept them busy for about an hour!
What I love the most about this play snow is that it doesn’t use any crazy ingredients. All you need is baby powder (which many of us parents already have at home), vegetable oil and water.
This play snow is:
- easy to make
- uses only three ingredients
- fluffy
- moldable
- inspires creativity and role play
- is great for a sensory bin
What is a sensory bin?
A sensory bin is just that: a bin that is filled with all sorts of fun things to stimulate your child’s senses. It can include things that use some or all of the five senses to explore.
The objective is for your child to have fun and learn by exploring everything in the bin.
Sensory bins are great for independent play, and can keep your little ones busy for quite some time!
What kind of things can I fill this sensory bin with?
The possibilities are endless! Look for things you already have around the house, and try to include things that can be explored with different senses.
Some suggestions are:
- Christmas ornaments with different sizes, shapes and textures
- bells
- branches from your Christmas tree
- pine cones
- Christmas cookie cutters
- a sifter
- things to scoop the snow with like cups and spoons
- animal and tree figurines for role play
How do you make play snow?
This recipe is from The OT Toolbox.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups of baby powder
- 1/2 cup of warm water
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
Step 1: Add the baby powder to a stand mixer, and mix it on the lowest setting with the paddle attachment. If your mixer has a shield like the one pictured below, make sure to use it, because the baby powder will create a cloud. If not, cover the mixer and bowl with a towel.
Step 2: While the mixer is running on low, slowly add the warm water, then the oil. Keep mixing until it is all combined, and it forms a crumbly mixture.
Step 3: Turn the mixer on to medium and let it run for about 5 minutes. This will add air into the snow and fluff it up. Now, add it to a tray or a bin, and get ready to have some fun!
Note: If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can mix this by hand (but the end product may not be as fluffy).
My kids and I built a snowman, but added a tiny bit more water to make it stick together better.
Try adding glitter or peppermint extract to the snow to change it up!
Try these other Christmas activities and recipes!
- Christmas Pecans
- Christmas White Hot Chocolate
- Snow Globe Christmas Card
- Christmas Tree Rice Krispies Treats
- Christmas White Chocolate S’more Pops
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