How to Make Fake Snow Fast

Make fake snow in a matter of minutes.

Maybe you need fake snow for a play you are directing. Perhaps your daughter wants to make a homemade snow globe. Or, possibly you want to add a little extra shimmer to your Christmas tree. Not to worry. There are many quick ways to make fake snow and you will probably come up with your own recipes as well. If you are a teacher or a parent, make sure you get your kids involved. They will enjoy being part of the creative and festive process.

Things You'll Need

• Styrofoam plates (from meat packages)
• Garbage bag
• White Glue
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup talcum powder
• White glue
• 2 cups soap flakes
• 2/3 cup liquid starch
• Food coloring
• Craft sparkles
• 3 tbsp. water
• Paintbrush

Instructions

Reuse Styrofoam

1. Wash and save the white Styrofoam plates you get whenever you buy meat from the market.

2. Spread out some dark-colored garbage bags on the floor.

3. Recruit your kids and, all at the same time, tear up the plates into little pieces. Use your hands or child-safe scissors. As the Styrofoam shreds, it will look like snow falling down onto the garbage bags.

4. Sprinkle the fake snow on glued surfaces, such as a homemade village or pine cones. You can use different colors of Styrofoam if you want to add the effect of lights shining through a snowstorm.

Short and Sweet

1. Combine 1/2 cup sugar with the same amount of talcum powder.

2. Add a little more sugar if you want your snow to be even shinier.

3. Glue any surface that you want fake snow on and sprinkle the mixture on top.

For the Christmas Tree

1. Mix two cups of soap flakes with 2/3 cup of liquid starch. If you do not have liquid starch, add 1/4 cup water to 1/4 cup cornstarch. Continue stirring as you add about 3/4 cup boiling water. That should yield more than enough liquid starch.

2. Add 3 tbsp. of water to the soap flake-liquid starch mixture and whisk.

3. Add sparkles and food coloring, of any color you desire, as you continue to whisk the mixture.

4. Paint your Christmas tree branches or holly bouquets with the shimmery glaze.

Tips & Warnings

• Look for items around the house that you can reuse. Figure out a way to use them to create a winter wonderland.

References

• Perpetual Preschool: Winter Art
• Crafter's Touch: How to Make Artificial Snow

Resources

• Kaboose: Snow Globe