How to Throw an Indoor Snow Party for Children

Throw a snow party in the house if your kids are stuck inside in really bad weather. You could even do this in summer. When the heat is too much, it might cool them off a bit while thinking of cold snow.

Here are a few ideas for the indoor snow party or activity time. If there are a number of children involved in the indoor snow party, you could make stations for each activity, allowing each child time to experience each station. With smaller groups or just one or two children, it might be easier to just have them all at one station, then move on to the next activity when they are done.

* Using the computer, go to the site, snowflakes.lookandfeel.com and have the child or children create their own online snowflakes. They are fun for everyone to make. The snowflakes created there are added to a gallery there, along with many others that have been created at the site. You can download any snowflake. They can also email the link to show other people what they have created. This is a lot more simple than actual paper snowflakes and not as messy. It also gives them more ideas as to what they might really try with paper and scissors.

* Make paper snowflakes. One tip for the best results is to use good sharp scissors and paper that is not too heavy to cut through all the folds. If you don't know how to fold the basic shape for a snowflake or want pattern ideas, there are plenty of online sites with illustrated directions. A couple of them are
highhopes.com/snowflakes.hotmail or for a more detailed site that includes a wide variety of styles and patterns try the site, paper snowflakes.com

* Buy, borrow or rent a simple snow cone machine and have the children make their own flavoured snow cones.

* Gather craft supplies together to make your own snowman creations. Use white fabric, white cotton balls different sized Styrofoam balls available at many craft stores, white paper balls and so forth for the snowmen bodies. Then use small twigs or toothpicks, bits of coloured fabric, markers , paints or whatever items you would like to have the children use to create their own snowmen, googly eyes, glue and coloured paper to decorate the snowmen with. Encourage them to make their own special creations. Make sure you have ample workspace and an area which is safe for crafting.

*Make snowmen out of scoops of ice cream and buy cake decorating toppings to let the children create their own edible snowmen on small plates or in bowls.

*Make snowflake tortillas with the children. The following instructions show you how these are made.

Snowflake Tortillas:

This is a quick and easy snack or treat. Children love them . They are perfect on a cold day and it is a hands on project for older children. These are fun to do for school parties or projects too.

Ingredients:

1 package of flour tortillas. ( I use size but any size that fits in a frying pan will work.)
1 package powdered sugar
Oil to put in the bottom of the frying pan

Equipment:

Stove top
Frying pan
Grabbers to turn the tortillas
Plate to put the finished tortillas on
Big scissors
Paper towels

How To Make The Snowflake Tortillas:

Take one flour tortilla and fold it in half, so you have a semi circle or pie half. Then fold in half again and once more until you have a pie wedge shape. Then with a big pair of scissors that can cut through the folded layers of tortilla, begin cutting simple shapes. all over the tortilla. Cut all the way through each layer as if you were making a paper snowflake. Open up the tortilla. Cut all the tortillas you are planning to make so they are ready to cook.

Pour a few tablespoons of oil in the frying pan. Heat the oil. You can test the readiness with a toothpick. If you stick the end of the toothpick in the heating oil and bubbles form around the toothpick, it should be ready. If you are making a lot of these, you may have to add more oil periodically.

Put one tortilla in the oil. Brown it to light or medium brown . Turn it over and repeat on the other side. Drain it on paper toweling quickly to soak up excess oil, then sprinkle both sides with powdered sugar.

Voila! You have a crunchy sweet treat. They are fun to make, tasty to eat and children love them.

Have fun creating your own crafts and foods at your very own indoor snow party. The children will love it and you might too.