Today, we’re making an easy hands on snowflake winter craft. Add this to my winter season unit study.
While not everyone gets to enjoy the splendor of white crystal winters, we all appreciate the beauty of that type of winter.
Even if your winters rarely reach below 70℉ you can still at least touch on all that it entails for the cold months.
This craft allows your child to bring out an artistic side while also getting in some science.
Too, this activity works great for kids in early elementary through middle school.
And can be adjusted to give more or less information.
Next, look at some research questions for kids to dig deeper into a topic.
They can either find the answers in living books or on the internet. Research skills is another component to add to this unit study.
Flake Facts
Look at these facts to get you started
- What US state gets the most snow? Vermont
- Approximately how many crystals make up a flake? 1-200
- How big is the largest lake ever recorded? 15” wide, 8 “ thick – Guinness World Book,1887
- What are the smallest flakes called? Diamond Dust Crystals
- How many sides does a flake have? 6
- How long does the average flake take to reach the ground? 1 hour
- What temperature does it have to reach for flakes to form? 35 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius)
And then add some of these resources for a mini unit study.
Watch a couple of YouTube videos:
If you live in a place which gets mountainous drifts try out some of these Activities That Celebrate Snow for more fun.
Resources for a Winter Unit Study
Also, look at my How to Make Easy DIY Bird Feeders and work birds into your winter study as well.
Winter is an especially important time to give them a little extra help as food is scarcer.
If you want to continue adding activities to your mini winter unit study give your child some copywork.
Grab my Free Winter Copywork for Middle School
Or chose a writing prompt like:
- The little dancing snowflake was on its way to…
- We ran out into the snow and….
Finally, be sure you spend some time learning about the science of how and why borax creates these crystals on objects.
Crystals are molecules that bind together ionically. Borax crystals have a square shape.
First you heat the water and the borax dissolves into it. Warm water holds more powder and it becomes super saturated.
As the solution cools the molecules they need somewhere to grab onto. So, they cling together as well as the object that you put in the solution.
Try different amounts of borax in the different bowls. Too, try different temperatures for the water to continue the experiment.
I love how the crystals make the pipe cleaners sparkle like real flakes.
There is a double page spread in Nature Anatomy that I love to recommend as a must have science reference. It covers a little on flakes and their characteristics.
Let’s make this winter fun craft.
How to Make a Borax Fun Easy Craft
Look at this easy list of ingredients:
You will need:
- 2-3 colored pipe cleaners per flake
- Large glass bowl or other container
- 2 cups water
- ⅓ cup borax
- Pencil, skewer
- String
Then look at the directions below.
For each flake you will need 3 longer pieces 3”-4” long and least 12 pieces about 1” long.
Twist the 3 long pieces together in the center and spread them out evenly to create 6 spokes.
Twist each of the small pieces around the end and center of each spoke, bend to point outward slightly.
You want your flake to be slightly smaller than you container so it doesn’t touch the sides.
Tie a piece of string around the center of each flake and then around the skewer or pencil so that it hangs down into bowl.
Heat 2 cups of water to boiling. Stir in ½ cup borax until mostly dissolved.
Pour liquid carefully into the bowl.
Let your flakes sit for 24 hours or more. Here is what mine looked like after about 5 hours.
After just about 16-18 hours.
And a little over 24 hours.
They are so fun to make you are going to want to create all kinds of shapes. Make them over and over to celebrate season and event. Try making your name or initials.
Other Winter Fun Resources
Finally, here are some other resources you may love.
- 16 Ways to Make Homeschool Memorable During Winter
- 21 Homeschooling Ideas to Keep the Winter Chill Off {Activities for Tots to Teens}
- Fun Winter Craft Ideas for Middle School Homeschool
- 50 Keep Me Homeschooling Activities During the Long Cold Winter Days
- Colorful Winter Bird: Northern Cardinal Lapbook & Unit Study
Leave a Reply