8 tried and true science activities for the winter season
Winter is the perfect time of year to introduce children to fun, relevant hands-on projects. Here are a few favorites that don’t require much prep time or cost!
- Make a snowflake: Use a piece of black construction paper and a white crayon to draw a snowflake design. Then, use a spray bottle filled with water to wet the paper. As the water hits the crayon, it will dissolve the wax and create a beautiful, wintry design.
- Conduct a winter wildlife survey: Take a walk around your neighborhood or a local park and make a list of all the different types of animals/animal tracks you see. How do they adapt to the cold winter weather?
- Experiment with ice: Fill a plastic container with water and freeze it to make a block of ice. Then, use different objects to try to melt the ice, such as a toy car, a plastic spoon, or a hair dryer. Observe how each object affects the ice and how long it takes for the ice to melt.
- Make a snowball launcher: Use a plastic soda bottle, a rubber band, and a piece of paper to create a simple snowball launcher. First, roll up the paper and place it inside the bottle. Then, use the rubber band to secure the paper in place. When you pull the paper out of the bottle, it should launch the snowball.
- Build a winter fort: Gather sticks, branches, and blankets and use them to create a cozy winter fort. Once it’s built, crawl inside and observe how the fort traps heat and keeps you warm.
- Experiment with salt: Fill a shallow tray or baking dish with water and add a few tablespoons of salt. Then, place small toys or objects in the water and observe what happens. Can you make the objects float or sink? What happens when you add more or less salt?
- Make a crystal snowflake: Dissolve borax in hot water to create a saturated solution. Tie a string around a pencil and dip it into the solution. As the solution cools and crystallizes, it will form a crystal snowflake shape on the string.
- Create a winter sensory bin: Fill a large container with materials such as fake snow, pinecones, pine needles, and small winter-themed toys. Encourage your child to explore the bin with their senses and discover what they can do with the materials.
Check out all of the winter themed teaching and learning materials offered by Nature Watch!
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