Crystal Snowflakes

Beautiful, crystal snowflakes 

that sparkle but don't melt?  

You can make them with your kids (or by yourself)  

and it's really easy!  

This isn't an instant gratification project, 

you do have to wait overnight for the crystals to form, but sometimes it's worth waiting 

for something beautiful.

So pretty, isn't it?

Here's what you need:

* Borax ~ it's a powder you can find with the laundry detergents in most larger stores

* Boiling water

* Pipe cleaners

* Large container deep enough to suspend your snowflakes upright

* Piece of thread, thin wire, dental floss (something to use to suspend your snowflakes in the solution and then to hang when complete)

Here's what to do:

1.  Make your snowflakes.  You can make any flaky design you'd like out of the pipe cleaners.  We cut ours into 5" and 2" pieces.  We took three of the 5" pieces and twisted them together to make a star shape.  Then we attached the smaller pieces to the ends to make it look more like a snowflake.

2.  Prepare your crystal solution.  The amount depends on the size of the container you'll be using.  Use the ratio of three tbsp. Borax for every cup of boiling water.  Make as many batches as you need to fill your container so the liquid is deep enough for the snowflakes to be suspended upright in the solution.

3.  Tie one end of a piece of string to your snowflake and the other to a ruler, large spoon, etc. to suspend it in the solution.  Try not to have the snowflakes touching each other in the solution or they'll mold together.

4.  Allow the snowflakes to sit in the solution overnight.  When you wake up, gently pull them out.  You'll see that beautiful crystals have formed on the pipe cleaners.  Let them dry and then use them to add a little wintry sparkle wherever you'd like.

** Original tutorial for these awesome snowflakes found here **

Cinnamon Snowflakes!

I came across this idea in an issue of Family Fun and thought it was awesome!  It meets my criteria of easy, fun and inexpensive, plus it's tasty too!

 

SUPPLIES:

 

flour tortillas

cinnamon sugar

cooking spray

kitchen scissors or clean pair of kids' scissors

 DIRECTIONS:

1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2.  Fold your tortilla in half, then in half again.  (I used 10-inch tortillas, but a smaller size would work too).  If your tortilla breaks when you're trying to fold, microwave it for a few seconds to help it soften up.

3.  Using the scissors, cut the tortilla just like you would cut out a paper snowflake.

4.  Place your tortilla snowflake on a cookie sheet, spray with cooking spray (or brush with melted butter) and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

5.  Bake for about 5-10 minutes or until the tortilla begins to turn golden brown (check often). 

6.  Allow to cool, then enjoy!  My kids liked breaking off pieces of their snowflakes and dipping them in pudding cups.  I bet yogurt, jams or even syrup would be yummy if your kids are dippers too.

** I'm sure you could sprinkle savory toppings too, like Old Bay, parmesan cheese, garlic salt, etc.  (Hmmm, might have to try that next!  :)  )

No Hassle Snow Play

I'll admit it, I don't like going outside in the snow.  I do like a good snowstorm, and I'll go outside to shovel our way out or take some pictures of the kids having fun, but I'd much rather enjoy wintry weather from the comfort of my warm living room.  When the kids were toddlers and young preschoolers, I often felt bad that I didn't want to go through the hassle of getting them all bundled up to go out in the freezing cold just so they could play around in a snow pile.  They say that necessity is the mother of invention, well this mother came up with what I think is a rather ingenious way for the kids to enjoy the fun of the snow while I enjoy the warmth of the indoors.

This lazy smart mom's solution for snow play?  Use the bathtub!!!

Simply use a bucket or large bowl to scoop up several piles of snow and dump it in one half of the bathtub.  Lay a folded towel on the other half of the tub for your little one to sit on and let them play with the snow to their heart's content.  They can stay in their regular clothes and even make snowballs to throw at the shower walls.  If they're having fun, go grab a couple more buckets worth of snow.  When they tire of it, just let them get out of the tub and the snow melts right down the drain.  Brilliant, don't you think?

Now, obviously, this solution won't be as appealing for older children (although it's still a great option if they're feeling a little under the weather or it's just too cold & windy for them to be outdoors for long).