In this BLOG post I will share with you how to make four different variations of a SNOW sensory bin.
Whether it is cold and snowy or sunny and warm this SNOW recipe never disappoints! You only need TWO ingredients to make these sensory bins, and they come together in minutes!
SNOW sensory play is the best. It is soft and squishy. You can build with it, mold it, smoosh it and push it around.
You can add scoops and bowls, trucks and diggers, dinos or barbies. The possibilities for learning and play are ENDLESS!
This play can get messy, but it does sweep/clean up easily and there are ways to minimize the mess!
Our snow recipes are also cost effective: you can purchase all of the ingredients from the Dollar Store!
Here are our best messy play tips!
Clean up-tips:
For easy clean up: keep wipes nearby, along with a plastic bag or trash bin to discard.
Wear old clothes or a bathing suit, and plan to head to the tub after this fun sensory play!
Take it outdoors! Wash it off with a hose when you're done.
Use an old beach towel or sheet under the bins to catch any spills.
How to encourage messy play?
Start small. Put a tiny amount in a bowl and explore with it to see how it feels!
Play with them! Roll up your sleeves and get messy with them.
Let them know that getting messy is OK.
Have a clean-up strategy so that they can wipe their hands quickly if it becomes too much. Maybe have a towel in their lap or wipes right next to them.
Encourage starting with just one finger. "Poke the Oobleck with your pointer finger. How does it feel?"
Make observations as you play:
How does it smell?
How does it feel?
What does it look like as it dries?
These recipes are SNOW much fun! See what I did there :)
They are a fun and engaging way to explore sensory play whether you get a ton of snow or have never seen it before! You truly can't go wrong with any of the four recipes. Pick one that reflects the materials you have at home!
You get to decide what is safe and manageable in your home. Always monitor young children.
RECIPE #1:
Mix 3 cups of baking soda with 1/2-1 cup of hair conditioner.
This is our go-to recipe and the one we gravitate towards the most. We like to use coconut scented conditioner to add an extra layer of sensory goodness to our play!
You can't mess it up, promise. If it feels too sticky, add a bit more baking soda. If it is too dry, add a bit more conditioner.
This recipe is NOT taste-safe.
APFL Tip: Pop it in the freezer for 30 minutes before playing and it will be cold like real snow!
RECIPE #2:
Mix 2 cups of cornstarch with 1 cup of hair conditioner.
This recipe is soft and squishy and has a smooth texture to it. It is a bit crumblier than the other recipes, but you can still form a ball and make a snowman with it!
APFL Tip: You want to slowly add the conditioner in. If you add too much you will end up with Cloud Dough, which is SO much fun but more of a play dough consistency then a SNOW recipe. You want it to still be soft and squishy and not firm!
This recipe is NOT taste-safe.
RECIPE #3:
Mix 2 cups of baking soda with 2 cups of shaving cream.
This recipe felt soft and "wet" and had a smooth texture to it. You could form a ball or crumble it like snow. The two cups didn't make a ton of mixture but it was really fun to explore. Next time I make it for my four kids I will double or even triple the recipe!
I do find with shaving cream recipes that they tend to dissolve quicker and don't last as long! But this is still fun and squishy and a great way to explore "snow" inside!
This recipe is NOT taste-safe.
RECIPE #4:
Mix 2 cups of baking soda with 1-2 tablespoons of water.
You can't go wrong with this simple recipe! You want to add a little water at a time so that it forms a paste-like texture. It should form a ball but still crumble easily. This recipe felt cool and smooth and felt most like "wet snow."
This recipe is technically taste-safe. I would not encourage anyone eating baking soda in large quantities but if/when someone sneaks a taste it is safe. It also will likely not taste good, which will hopefully deter them from taking a taste in the future!
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