Staying warm indoors is probably at the top of your priorities this winter but all of that time inside can still allow imaginations to run free. These hands-on activities will help your family stimulate their minds while passing time in the warmth indoors. Plus, they make fun keepsakes to remember your time spent together this year! Check out these fun activities and you might even be surprised at the lessons that are hidden inside each one!
Blizzard In A Jar
Be dazzled by a blizzard like never before! You can create your very own snowstorm in a jar with some common ingredients. This craft is incredibly fun but it’s also a science experiment that teaches about density and heterogeneous mixtures.
Supplies Needed:
- Mason Jar (16 ounce size)
- Baby Oil
- Iridescent Glitter
- White Paint
- Alka Seltzer (make sure it has citric acid and sodium bicarbonate)
You can read the full tutorial here
Craft Stick Snowmen
Snowmen are the quintessential winter activity but it’s always sad when they melt away. These craft stick snowmen are adorable and most importantly, they’re melt proof! Plus they can even double as bookmarks.
Supplies Needed:
- Jumbo craft sticks
- White paint
- Paint in your favorite colors
- Paintbrush
- Orange construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue or glue dots
- Buttons (or circles that are leftover after punching paper)
- Black marker
- White pom pom
- Ribbon of your choice for a scarf
Instructions:
Paint your craft sticks white and allow them to dry. Next, paint one tip of each stick with your desired color for the hat. Cut a carrot shape out of orange construction paper or paint a carrot onto the stick for the nose. Use the black marker to draw eyes and coal dots for the mouth. Glue three buttons down the middle and a white pom pom on the top of the painted tip to complete the hat. Lastly, keep your snowman warm by gluing on a ribbon scarf!
Pasta Snowflakes
Snowflakes are always fun to catch on your tongue outside but these snowflakes are actually made from food in your pantry!
Supplies:
- Wagon wheel pasta
- White paint
- Rhinestones or glitter
- Parchment paper
- Paintbrush
- String or ribbon
Instructions:
Lay down parchment paper on your work surface. Layout the pasta into your desired snowflake shape. This is a great opportunity to learn about patterns. Remember, no two snowflakes are ever exactly the same!
Once you’ve decided how you want your snowflake to look, begin gluing the sides of the pasta together piece by piece. Once dry, paint the pasta with the white paint and sprinkle on the glitter before it dries. You can even increase the sparkle by using adhesive-backed rhinestones!
When the snowflake is completely dry, carefully peel away the parchment paper and string your ribbon through the pasta. Now you have a snowflake that you can hang up and admire all winter long!
When crafting together, remember to enjoy the journey and embrace the imperfections. There are many life lessons to be learned!