Preschool Basics: "Snowy" Day Number Formation

One more snow-themed activity before we move onto Valentine's Day activities!  

Here's a quick tip:  Whenever we do number activities, I always use these Number Rhymes to help the girls remember what each number looks like and how it is formed.

Supplies:

• Paper
• Marker
• Cotton balls

1)  Write the numbers 1-10 on sheets of paper. 

2)  Outline the number with cotton balls.

You can either put the cotton balls and sheets of paper in a plastic bag and reuse them again (as a very simple learning bag), use the cotton balls for a "snowball" hunt, glue them on the number, or use them for another art project!

If you have an older PreK-2nd grade student, challenge them to form the numbers without a written guide.

Shimmery Snow Scenes

Salt + Glue = Messy, fun project!

Supplies:

• School glue
• Glue stick
• Salt
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Small bowl or cup
• Pan

1)  Cut out trees (or any other desired objects) and glue onto blue paper to make a "snow scene".  

2)  Cover the edges of the trees and ground with a glue stick and add glue dots for snowflakes in the sky.  Sprinkle with salt.  I found it easiest to put the salt in a small bowl for each child.  

3)  Shake off excess salt into a pan.  Allow to dry.


There are many ways to add to or modify this project.  Let your child explore and create!  Our favorite part was sprinkling the salt and making huge puddles of glue!! 

Tasty Tuesday: Melted Snowman S'mores

I posted this last year, but I wanted to share it again -- especially since my sister made up some super-cute printable gift tags!

When my friend, Donna, shared these cute Snowman S'mores with me, I wanted to share them with you!!  Special thanks to her for sending me the photos and directions!!

Supplies:
Marshmallows
2 Tbsp. of canned icing
Wilton decorator food colors, orange and black (these make the truest colors instead of mixing the drops)
1 wooden skewer broken in half (use pointed end for painting nose, flat end for eyes and mouth)
Striped cookies
Cellophane bags (if desired)
Printable Directions/Gift Tags

1)  Mix 1 T. frosting with orange food coloring.  Melt in the microwave.  Repeat with the black coloring and frosting.  (This will make enough for a bag of marshmallows.)  Make an orange nose on the rounded sides of all the marshmallows with the pointed end of the skewer.  After the noses are finished, add the eyes and mouth with black frosting (using the blunt end of the skewer).

2)  Place the marshmallow in the microwave on top of a striped cookie.  Microwave for 10 seconds (no longer unless you want a tough marshmallow)!

3)  Put another cookie on top.  Enjoy your "melted" snowman!

My friend gives these treats to others at Christmas time.  If you want to share them, be sure to let the frosting dry completely, then place 2 cookies and one snowman marshmallow into a cellophane bag.  Include directions to microwave for 10 seconds! 

(Update:  You can download a customizable, printable version here.)

Making Patterns in the Snow and More...

Here are a few simple ways to turn a snowy day into a learning experience:

Supplies

Cookie cutters

Sticks or icicles

Toy rake

1)  Create a pattern in the snow with cookie cutters!

2)  Texturize the snow with a rake or whatever object you can find!

3)  Practice writing in the snow with an icicle or stick.

Do you have any fun, easy learning activities to use in the snow?!!

Tasty Tuesday: Snowman Cracker Snack

By now, you know I often substitute items I don't have/can't find when I'm doing a project!  This snowman snack is no exception!  The ingredients in parentheses are the "official" ingredients!

You need:
Crackers (or vanilla wafers)
Cream cheese (or frosting)
Chocolate chips
Red candy (we used part of a Starburst)
Carrots (or pretzels)

1)  Spread crackers with cream cheese.  Place in a snowman shape.

2)  Decorate the snowman.  We used chocolate chips for eyes and buttons, candy for mouth and hat, and carrots for the arms and nose.

"Use what you have!"  That's my motto!  It does seem like a strange flavor combination, but it was actually pretty good.  No one complained anyway! 

Coffee Creamer Snowman

This morning, we attempted to make snowmen out of recycled coffee creamer containers!

Supplies:
Rinsed coffee creamer container
White paint (depending on brand of container)
Permanent markers
Scrap material/ribbon

1)  If your coffee creamer container is clear, pour some white paint and a few drops of water into it.  Replace the lid and shake, shake, shake (you'll shake it quite a bit to get the insides covered!.  Some containers (International Delight) are already white, so you don't need to do anything!

2)  Decorate a face and buttons with permanent markers.  Queasy about permanent markers?  Glue on wiggly eyes, use stickers, cut out a paper smile, etc.  The options are limitless!

3)  Extra idea:  Add a scarf from ribbon or a piece of scrap cloth. 

(I'm supposed to point out to you that the tall one - made by my oldest daughter - has on a skirt)!

Fun on a Dime!

I wanted to let you know about a feature I've added to my new blog called Fun on a Dime!  Every Thursday, I'll be posting simple and inexpensive ideas for families, kids, and parents.  I also hope to highlight ideas from other blogs and readers, so if you have an easy, frugal project, send me an e-mail at motherhoodonadime @ gmail . com!

My first post was 5 Simple Activities for Kids on a Snowy Day!  Feel free to check it out!  :)

Snowman Soup Relay

Crescendo Gal, a Facebook reader, shared with me the idea of "Snowman Soup" -- hot chocolate with melted marshmallows.  I added the idea of a relay for a fun little game with a warm treat at the end.

Supplies:
Marshmallows
Spoon
Mug of hot chocolate

1)  Place the mugs on one end of the kitchen (dining or any other room).  Place a marshmallow on the spoon, walk carefully to the mug, and place the marshmallow in the cup.  Repeat with as many marshmallows as desired.

The perfect treat after a morning out in the snow!

Snowy Snowman Painting (With a Marshmallow Paintbrush)

Painting with marshmallows?  Sounds good and messy!

Supplies:

White paper

Blue paper

Cup or other circle template

Scissors

Glue

White paint

Marshmallows

Toothpicks (if desired)

1)  Trace three circles onto white paper.  Cut.

2)  Glue the circles onto the paper in a snowman shape.  Add a hat, if desired.

3)  Draw on a face and any other decorations.  Dip a marshmallow in paint, press onto the paper, and enjoy the "snow'!!

If you choose to poke the marshmallows with a toothpick (and use as a handle of sorts), supervise carefully!  Also, make sure your little ones do not eat painted marshmallows!!

Super Simple Snowball Fight

I have so many activities and ideas for a snow theme -- the problem is, we've had NO SNOW!!  The girls were really ready for some fun outside, but with none of the white stuff in sight, we decided to have our own snowball fun inside.

Supplies:

Cotton balls

Gloves

1)  No need for jackets -- but gloves are a must for an indoor snowball fight!! :)

2)  Open a bag of cotton balls and let the fun begin!!  Throw, scoop, repeat, repeat, repeat...  After the fight, save the cotton balls for an upcoming craft project!

No one got hurt with these snowballs -- which was good, since I was the main target of the ambush!!