Painting snow is a really simple and fun activity to do. Perhaps one of the best snow activities for toddlers. It’s not just for toddlers though. Kids of all ages will have so much fun creating snow art. This is one of my favourite Outdoor activities for kids in winter.
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Snow painting 2 ways
Today I have two different ways of making your own snow paint to share with you. Both are simple and fun. The best thing about painting snow is that you don’t necessarily need much snow.
Do you know those days when there’s not enough snow for sledging or it’s not the right kind of snow for building a snowman? Well, painting snow is the perfect activity for those days.
Equally though, there’s nothing stopping you from doing it when there is a lot of snow. You could even make this an indoor activity by bringing a bowl of snow inside and painting it inside before the snow melts.
Whilst you are outside in the snow, you might also want to try these ice science ideas.
1. Painting snow with paint
You will need
- * Poster paint
- * Paintbrushes
- Real snow
The first time I tried this activity was when my eldest was 3 years old. We only had a sprinkling of snow so I grabbed an old washing-up bowl and filled it with snow that was sitting on the car.
I added 3 small pots of paint and some painting brushes. Then I took her outside with the bowl and let her paint.
At first, she painted the snow and we talked a little about colour mixing. Soon she wandered off. At first, I thought she had lost interest but she’d actually gone to collect some conkers leftover from autumn play. She added these to the snow and painted them too.
Next, she discovered that the snow in her footprints from the previous day had turned to ice. We carefully extracted some and she painted these too which was a lot of fun.
Once you’ve finished, why not warm up inside with an indoor snowball fight. You could also continue being creative with this popsicle stick snowflakes craft.
Or you could try these snow STEM activities whilst warming up.
You could combine painting snow with this snow melting experiment.
2. Painting snow with food colouring
You will need
- * Food colouring (we used Wiltons gel food colouring which I love for baking and making play dough as the colours are so vibrant) or liquid watercolours.
- * Paintbrushes
- * spray bottles (optional)
- * eye droppers (optional)
- * squeeze bottles (optional)
I set this snow painting activity up most recently for my 2 year old. I mixed a little food colouring with water in a pan from our mud kitchen and gave my toddler a paintbrush.
She quickly realised she could use it to brush colour onto the snow. Not long later she poured it on the snow. I gave her a scoop which she used for scooping and mixing the different colours of snow.
You could also use eye droppers to let them squeeze coloured water from the bowls onto the snow. You could make a larger volume of coloured water and add it to squirt bottles or spray bottles. This is a great idea to develop fine motor skills too.
So there you have two simple and creative ways of colouring snow. A great winter activity for your next snow day. It’s particularly good for young children but some older children will enjoy it too.
So next time you are looking for a new snow activity to try this year, this might be the one for you. I hope you don’t have to wait a long time for your next snow day.
More ideas to keep you busy this winter
- Find loads more ideas for your winter art with kids here – Winter painting ideas for kids
- Find loads more Winter activities for kids these ideas are sure to keep you busy all winter long
- If you’re looking for things to do inside, then head here next – Indoor winter activities for toddlers
- I love creative outdoor activities for children.
- Find our favourite winter reads here – picture books about winter
- Heading out on a winter walk? Don’t forget your free Winter scavenger hunt printable
- Toddlers will love this winter tuff tray idea – Winter sensory play for toddlers.
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what a lovely idea, i never would have though about trying that and i am sure the boys would love it bloggerclubuk
I’m sure they would.
What a great idea – and perfect for a snow activity when there really isn’t much snow around! I love that your little one added in some nature treasures too. Thanks for linking up with #NaturallyCrafty 🙂
It was lovely that she expanded on the idea.
I can’t tell you how many years I’ve waited for snow to be able to do this. Sadly my kids are now probably too old and still no snow in Cornwall! #BloggerClubUK
If we ever have snow here and guests staying I’m so doing this, along with snow angles, snow ball fights and snow men making, all the things I’ve longed to try. One day! I think F did really well to last half an hour, I bet her fingers were so cold!
Thank you for linking to #CountryKids
Sounds like lots of fun planned for your guests if you do get snow. She had gloves on Friday but when we painted on Saturday it was actually fairly mild (the snow was melting fast). She did do well.
What a shame. I didn’t realise that you don’t get snow often in Cornwall. Guess I’m too used to living in the north.
I wanted to do this too but our snow fall was so pathetic we wouldn’t have even had the slightest amount to paint with! It looks so much fun and really pretty too! #countrykids
Thank you. There’s still time this winter.
Aashhh what a lovely activity. Lots of fun….wishing we had snow!!
There’s still time this winter.
Love the idea of snow painting, we just never get enough of the stuff to try it out #CountryKids
Thanks. What a shame.
We LOVE snow painting, one of our favourite snow activities! This years first go at it will be on Country Kids soon 🙂 I haven’t done it like this before, but love the idea of containing it like this x #countrykids
It’s great isn’t it? I look forward to seeing your post on it.
What a wonderful activity. We’ve had little snow here sadly. #CountryKids
Returning via #littlemakes
What a simple activity and would be good with food colouring too. We never got ny snow sadly but when we next get some I think we might try this. #countrykids
Yes I’m sure food colouring would be good too.
This is a great idea – now all we need is some snow ! #CountryKids
What a brilliant idea! We will certainly be giving this a go next time it snows #countrykids
I hope you enjoy it.
WOW that looks like so much fun, such a shame we only had a tiny bit of snow
That’s a shame but winters not over yet.
I love this – what a brilliant and simple idea for a winter outdoor activity. If we get any more snow this year I am definitely going to do this with my girls. Looks like F was having a wonderful time 🙂 #countrykids
I’m sure they’ll enjoy it.
Oh I love this idea!! We have plenty of snow at the moment so may try this out tomorrow ! #BloggerClubUK
I hope you enjoy it.
That’s a great idea. Fingers crossed for snow for you.
Lucky you to get so much snow. My children were desperate for snow but we got very little.
It’s funny how they can’t wait to get into the snow but don’t realise just how cold it is! But what a lovely little activity to do and she looks totally absorbed in it. Great idea.
#CountryKids
very nice idea – it must have made lots of fun 🙂
Great idea- and costs next to nothing! Brilliant chance to practice those mark making skills in a fun way! #bloggerpinparty
Exactly. Can’t wait to do this again this year now F is a bit older.
Fantastic. Glad you like my Pinterest boards.
Ah snow is scarce around here presently but this would be lots of fun and I imagine eldest would love it. #bloggerpinparty
My Small would love this! Really hope we get some snow aoon! #bloggerpinparty
This is our favorite winter activity! My daughter loves snow painting, we’ve tried a few different ways of doing it 🙂 #bloggerpinparty
Love this! Just need the snow now! #bloggerpinparty
I have never seen this before, so I am going to have a go with the children soon #christmas!ittlemakes@_karendennis
I love this because it is so simple and I already gave the supplies in! Plus how fab to add all that colour to the white. #christmaslittlemakes
Oh if only I had enough snow to do this! Such a fab idea #littlemakes