How to Make Fake Snow

By
Nora Nalle
Nora Nalle
Nora Nalle

Nora Nalle is a kids' crafts expert, writer, and teacher with almost a decade of experience creating crafts and STEM craft tutorials for children. She was also a craft stylist for for the "All You Frightfully Fun Halloween Handbook," which focuses on kids' Halloween projects.

Learn more about The Spruce Crafts' Editorial Process
Updated on 08/03/20
Fake Snow

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Project Overview
  • Total Time: 1 hr
  • Skill Level: Kid-friendly

Bring some snow day magic into your home without the frozen fingers, runny noses, and wet socks. Making fake snow is a great option for parents looking for an affordable way to keep kids busy––and it's a great sensory activity for preschool-aged children, requiring minimal supervision. Bust out an extra set of measuring cups so little ones can make snow castles, or supply buttons and baby carrots for making mini snowmen.

The best part about making fake snow is that it uses common supplies and materials already found in your home.

Warning

Do not let your child eat the fake snow, and avoid eye contact.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Large mixing bowl

Materials

  • 1 pound baking soda
  • 10 ounces shaving cream
  • White or silver glitter (optional)

Instructions

  1. Measure the Baking Soda

    Place all of the baking soda in a large mixing bowl.

    Blending ingredients of fake snow
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  2. Add the Shaving Cream

    There's no set amount of shaving cream required to make fake snow. Add a little, mix it in, then add more if needed. Usually, one-third to one-half of a can is needed. You'll know you've added enough shaving cream when the mixture holds its shape.

    Using shaving cream to make fake snow
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  3. Sprinkle the Glitter

    Glitter isn't a must for making fake snow, so if you want to avoid sparkly hands and clothes, feel free to leave it out. If you are using glitter, pour a few tablespoons into the mixing bowl.

    Pouring ingredients into making fake snow
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  4. Mix the Ingredients Together

    There is a reason why a mixing spoon was not included in the list of tools––the best part about this project is that you can get your hands dirty! For this part, roll up your sleeves or your kids' and prepare to get messy! Squeeze the mixture together between your fingers or fold it together like you would a cake batter. There is no wrong way to do this step.

    Once all of the ingredients are fully incorporated, you can add more glitter for extra sparkle or additional shaving cream for a more moldable snow. If needed, you can always add more shaving cream or glitter during playtime.

    Mixing ingredients with your hands
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  5. Revel in Your Own Snow!

    Transfer the fake snow from the mixing bowl onto a play surface or into a sensory bin. Allow your kids to get creative with how they play with it. Some fun ideas include:

    • Using measuring cups to make snow castles
    • Turning snowballs into mini snowmen
    • Using it to create snowy branches on your Christmas tree
    • Making a wintery tablescape for a holiday party
    Shaping a fake snow ball
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