Children’s Corner
Snow is like marmite; you either love it or hate it. However, most kids probably fall into the former category. The opportunity to throw snowballs, make a snowman and sledge down a hill is one that few children would voluntarily miss. Playing in the snow is a wonderful chance for family bonding and is an activity that everyone can get involved in. However, there are downsides to it:
- It doesn’t always snow and so children can get disappointed that Santa hasn’t brought his North Pole weather.
- Icy weather is very dangerous and children can easily fall and hurt themselves. A contentious parent might fear this happening.
- Some children hate cold weather. No matter how well they’re wrapped in gloves and hats, freezing temperatures can be hard to bear.
Given that there are some cons to snow, it might be much easier and practical for families to make their own version at home. All you need is baking soda and shaving foam.
Pour the box of baking soda into a large bowl and then knead the shaving foam into it. Continue mixing while adding more until the consistency feels right. It shouldn’t take very long to do and you can even get your kids to help to make the activity more fun.
Try not to get tempted into spraying the shaving foam on each other; otherwise you’ll soon have a very messy house!
The snow should feel light and powdery and should leave very little residue on your hands. If it’s not working, try adding a few drops of water.
The snow should feel cold, although not quite as low a temperature as the real stuff that falls outside. This means your kids will be able to handle it freely without their fingers going numb.
Playing with the powder is very therapeutic and children will be mesmerised by the texture. If they have figurines or dolls, they can create a fantasy story in an icy land, and you can encourage them to tell the tale out loud. The ideas are limited only by your imagination.
The cool powder is cheap, fun to play with and once you’re finished with it, it’s easy to clean up. There’s no need to face the freezing temperatures with this clever alternative, and you’ll feel more at ease knowing that there’s no danger for your tiny ones.