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Snowflake Art Project

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Looking for some fun winter art projects for kids? This DIY Snowflake Art Project will give your kids a creative craft to enjoy and even gift. It’s super easy to make, and who doesn’t love a gorgeous keepsake.

There are so many ways to enjoy this Snowflake Art Project. Using a little bit of ingenuity, you can shrink this beautiful art to fit a Card and send it to friends and family. It’s a wonderful project for multiple ages and whether it’s one student or many, you’ll love the simplicity of assembly. However you decide to showcase, this wonderful work of art will bring joy year after year.

SNOWFLAKE CRAFT MATERIALS

While there are a ton of fun winter Crafts out there, this holiday craft is creative, crafty, and super special. With just a few materials, your child will have a beautiful masterpiece in just a few minutes.

SNOWFLAKE ART PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Print our free Snowflake Art Craft Template on black cardstock paper. We’ll be getting the paper wet, so you’ll want thick paper if possible. Turn over the template so that you are creating on the backside.

2.  Use water to wet the paper a bit, then add the bleeding tissue paper circles in an overlapping fashion. You’ll want to think about your color choices so that you have colors blending into different hues, or even complementary colors to help the project pop. Check out the first photo above noting the color tones, using pastels for the single circles and darker colors for the base.

3. Add water over the top of the circles to ensure they are bleeding the colors onto the paper. However, be careful not to add too much water or you’ll get a “muted” look as the colors will be washed out a bit. Just enough water to transfer. Try it on scrap paper for best results.

4. Once you have the outline filled with tissue paper, set the project aside to dry. Use a blowdryer set to “low” to speed up the drying process.

5. When dry, shake or peel off the tissue paper. Once the tissue paper is removed, the color still remains. Flip your project back over so you can see your gorgeous snowflake outline.

6. Cut out all of the shapes following the black lines so that your snowflake is in several pieces. You’ll put them all back together so note unique pattern.

7. Choose a piece of construction paper with a dark color as your background. Begin laying out each element of the Snowflake in respective order.

Leave space in between each snowflake pattern as shown below. The space will help make your snowflake POP!

8. Glue all pieces in sequential order as shown above.

9. Your Crafty Classroom Snowflake Art Project is complete!

Don’t forget to frame your project to ensure it lasts a lifetime! What a fun Christmas decoration to pull out each winter or Christmas. If you’d like to scale down this project and create a set of unique Christmas cards, it’s really simple to do! Just set your printer to print multiple pages per sheet and you’ll have a template perfect for cards of any occasion.

Snowflake Window Clings

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What a perfect time to start thinking about the cold winter season’s indoor kid projects. We’ve got a terrific idea moms and teachers are going to love. This Snowflake Window Cling Project might look challenging, but it’s far from it! All you need are the right supplies. Thankfully, most items you’ll find in the house or classroom.

Whether you are thinking about this cold weather project as a Christmas snowflake window cling or winter window craft, you’ll love the simplicity and beauty of this winter activity.

What are window clings made of?

Now you no longer have to wonder what window clings are made of. It’s simply an acrylic paint. Once it dries, it can be placed on glass that sticks nicely to flat non-porous surfaces. If you’ve got big windows or an area that needs some season-appropriate decorations, we’e included an extra-large snowflake window cling to decorate. These snowflake window decals are gorgeous and creative that the neighbors will get to enjoy as well.

Snowflake Window Decals Material

Here’s a quick list of what you’ll need for the Snowflake Window stickers. You’ll be happy to discover most supplies can be found right in your home or classroom.

How do you make snowflake window clings?

For this DIY Snowflake Window Craft, you’ll need the Snowflake template along with some basic supplies. The base of the Snowflake Craft will be a laminated sheet. Using a laminator or hot iron, flatten the laminate sheet. If you don’t own a laminator, you can try a hot iron and heat the seat on a flat surface. Also, you might want to consider purchasing plastic sheets for crafting.

  1. Using a cookie sheet, or a piece of scrap cardboard, place the printed Snowflake Template face up, and then laminated sheet on top. This is simply a lamination sheet that has been run through the laminator with nothing it it. It will give you a thick piece of transparent plastic that is wonderful for these types of craft projects.

2. To secure sheets, place tape on each side for a tight and flat fit. Blue painters tape is a great choice as it peels over quite easily.

3. Using light Blue Glass Acrylic Paint, begin following pattern at the top of template.

4. Choose a color for your larger snowflake and begin to trace the outline and fill in the shape.

5. Start with the center heart of the next snowflake. You can make different parts of the snowflake, different colors, just be sure the colors are thick and touch eachother. You don’t want any gaps where there is no paint as you won’t be able to peel off your snowflake when it’s dry. If you want portions of your snowflake to be transparent, then use Clear Window Paint. This is what we used in the center of two of the snowflakes.

6. You can play around with color mixing and adding color on top of other colors. (See our Hummingbird Window Decal for Vibrant Examples) Continue with blue and outline the outer bottom right snowflake and middle outer core area. Let dry OVERNIGHT. I know, it’s tempting to peel it when it starts looking ready after a couple of hours, but it’s NOT, the center is likely still wet with paint. (Ask me how I know this…)

7. Now that you’ve been very patient waiting for it to dry overnight, it’s time to peel each snowflake carefully by pulling with one hand and holding down the laminate paper below. It’s not a race, go slow, being careful to properly lift each appendage. You won’t want to “stretch” the work while peeling.

7. Your Snowflake Window Decals are now complete! Add them to a window anywhere in the house or give them out as gifts. Place them in your classroom windows

Aren’t they gorgeous! This is a perfect craft for older kids or students, especially when looking for a unique craft for the winter while you are stuck indoors.

How do you get window clings to stick again?

Naturally with this type of glass acrylic paint, you’ll find the window decal clings nicely to your windows. The kids will love to decorate for the season and you’ll love the affordability that comes with a DIY window cling snowflake treat. We’ve had them on our windows for years, however, if placed in a sunny window that receives direct sunlight this might be an issue.

Ready for SPRING!? Try our Free Hummingbird Window Cling Art Tutorials! This is a fantastic project for Mom and older kiddos, and the vibrant colors are sure to brighten up your windows.

10 Winter Homeschool Activities

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Winter is here and the house is full—full of noise, kids, and opportunity. The outside world may be sleeping but that doesn’t mean learning and fun have to stop. Winter is a great time to have some fun, learn a ton, and jump into exciting activities as a family. Whether you just need a diversion or are looking for a survival plan for this winter, here’s a collection of 10 winter homeschool activities that will keep you busy, engaged, and entertained all winter long.

Snow Science

Winter is the perfect time for nature studies. Even though it is cold, you can learn so much during this time of year. Have you ever looked at a snowflake under a microscope? How about experimented with how long snow can stay frozen?

Oh, and then there is the delicious experiment of making candy on snow. The possibilities are endless. Find a set of projects online, or device your own. Snow days will never be the same!

Indoor Obstacle Course

When the weather is just too bad to go out, you can still keep the kids busy. Design an indoor obstacle course. Have competitions to see who can complete it in the least amount of time. Let each child design their own and then have the family test it.

You can even award prizes for the most challenging, most creative, and most fun courses. It’s STEM and physical education all in one!

Trace Your Genealogy

While you are staying warm, why not travel back in time? Make a family tree, and research the countries, languages, and occupations of your ancestors. You can use an online program like Ancestory.com or a local library to help you fill in the gaps.

Consider hosting a family heritage night where you enjoy local food, music, and customs that your ancestors would have. This is a project that is sure to keep you guessing, and maybe full of surprises.

Plant an Indoor Garden

Who says gardening is only for summer? There are many plants and vegetables that you can grow indoors. You could set up an indoor herb garden for the kitchen. Most grocery stores sell potted herbs for just this purpose.

Additionally, you can brighten the indoors with exotic and colorful house plants. Lastly, try growing sprouts or other easy vegetables to supplement your meals. All of these are exercises in attention and science.

Weather Tracking Journal

Set up a family weather station (link to weather station how to post) and track your weather. See if you can make predictions of what tomorrow will bring. Compare highs and lows to record temperatures for your area. Measure snowfall and ice accumulation.

So, you will have a complete picture of this winter and can compare it to winters in the future. As an extension, have family or friends keep a weather journal as well and compare notes at regular intervals.

Senior Friends

Winter can be a lonely time for the elderly, especially this winter. It is harder for them to get out, for the family to visit, and they may be restricted from getting together with other people. Why not adopt some seniors in your town as senior friends.

Become penpals, drop off a special treat or decoration, make sure their driveways are shoveled and their heat is on. Set up a time to chat on the phone. Another idea is to set up a message signal system.

Give your senior friends 3 pieces of paper: red, green, and yellow. Then ask them to put one in their window each day. Green means “doing okay.” Yellow is for “feeling lonely, need a friend.” Then red means, “Need help now.” In this way, you can keep track of how your senior friends are doing without invading their privacy. This could be a very worthwhile winter homeschool project!

Home Bakery

With the air cooler, you will love having the house warm. It could be time to set up a home bakery. Bake for yourself or for neighbors. You could even do a little entrepreneurial venture with the kids hosting bake sales for the neighborhood or family.

Donate the money to charity or help provide for your senior friends. Experiment with new recipes, research historic ones or stick with family favorites. You’ll be learning so much in the most delicious way.

Backyard Bird Sanctuary

Birds of a feather flock together. Let’s set up a sanctuary for area birds and enjoy observing them all winter. In cold weather, it gets more difficult for birds to find food. Set up various bird feeders and houses to keep your feathered friends warm, dry, and fed. Keep a log of the birds you see each day and which types of bird feeder/birdseed they prefer. This will help you plan your menu better next year.

Build a Sun Oven

Even in the cold, you can enjoy the sun. Clear, winter days are the best time to experiment with a sun oven. Build one from a kit or tutorial online. Next, experiment with different recipes to see what works best in your sun oven.

Learn Survival Skills

This is a perfect time to learn some new skills. Survival in winter is a valuable skill for everyone. Learn about what to do if you or a friend fall through the ice. How can you stay warm if stuck outside? Then dive into knot tying, emergency preparedness, and other survival skills that your family could use for the rest of their lives. No time like the present to get prepared as a winter homeschool project.

Homeschooling Through The Winter: Tips & Tricks to Make it Through

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Winter is here and the homeschool year is beginning to drag on. With the colder temperatures and shorter days, homeschooling through winter can be a challenge. This is the perfect time to have some fun, experience new things, and build precious memories. Here are some tips and tricks for making it through winter this year.

Winter Field Trips for Homeschooling

Leave the classroom behind! It is easy to focus on “doing school” and forget one of the best benefits of homeschooling–educating on your terms. Homeschooling shouldn’t be about plowing through checklists. It is really more about home than school! 

Take some field trips (see below), participate in a service project or visit family. Give your children so hands-on, real life experience. These memories will stick with them for years to come. Plus, they will have a chance to practice everything they are learning during school hours.

Schedule a Reading Week

Sometimes you just need a break. However, you don’t want to lose momentum and have to regroup everyone, especially after the holiday season. Reading week to the rescue!  For reading week, everyone has to read during school hours. It could be something specific or just anything they choose. You can mix assigned readings with free choice. 

Have everyone put together a pile of books, and then take a reading vacation. This maintains the rhythm of school without the burden of lessons. Make sure mom and dad get in on the act.  Print these FREE Reading Bookmarks, Charts and More for your Homeschool Reading Week!

Have a Snow Day

Every public school kid looks forward to snow days. Sometimes, homeschoolers just need to do the same. Close your school for the day, light a fire, mix up some hot chocolate, and let the kids just play in the snow. This will help burn off some steam in the middle of winter. Plus, they will be exploring nature, every moment is a learning opportunity.

Don’t get snow?  You can still take a day off.  Try whipping up a batch of this Super Soft & Sparkly Wintermint Playdough! Schools take off for all kinds of reasons. Pick your own and enjoy hours of play. Homeschool life is not meant to be all work and no fun! Try these fun Fine Motor Snow Man activity pages for some hands-on fun!

Mix It Up with Some Delicious Winter Cooking Lessons

Cook up some fun and tasty treats this winter. The kitchen is the best place to learn about science, math, geography, history, and nutrition. So, put down the books and notebooks, and take out the pots and pans.

Here are a few Kid-Friendly Winter Recipes to get you started:

You don’t have to be a master chef to teach through cooking. There are plenty of YouTube channels and cookbooks to guide you. Start where you feel comfortable and grow from there…or take on a challenge and learn together.

Winter Field Trip Ideas for homeschooling in winter

Winter is a great time for field trips, here are some ideas:

  • Museums
  • Art Gallery
  • Underground Mine Tour
  • Aquarium
  • Winter Nature Walk
  • Ice Skating
  • Factory tour
  • Town Hall
  • Fire Station
  • Tour of Your Town or County
  • A New Library
  • Skiing
  • Snow Tubing
  • Craft Studio
  • Train trip (near or far)

Homeschool Encouragement for Mom

Homeschooling through the winter can be hardest for mom. The excitement of the new year has worn off, the holidays are over, and summer feels very far away. It’s important to realize that homeschooling in winter is hard on every homeschool mom. You are not alone. Let’s look at some other self-care tips and tricks to make it through for mom. Here are some encouraging homeschool mom ideas:

  • Take care of your health. Get plenty of sleep and eat well. Sometimes getting sick is impossible to avoid. However, do what you can to keep yourself healthy and avoid the added pressure of homeschooling while sick.
  • Be willing to take time out and catch your breath. Sometimes, you just need 30 seconds to take a deep breath and move on. Giving yourself space and a bit of time is healthy and useful.
  • Get moving. Even if exercise is just a walk around your house or a quick workout on your stairs, getting your body moving will help you deal with the added stress.
  • Find a bit of comfort. Homeschool moms don’t have much time for pampering. However, make a routine of doing something nice for yourself each day. Enjoy a cup of tea. Use a nice body butter to smooth rough winter skin. Listen to a podcast. It doesn’t have to be big to have a big impact.
  • Connect with other moms. Whether it is online or in real life, having other moms on your side is therapeutic. Everyone has difficult homeschool days. And every homeschool mom is just trying to make it through the long winter. Get inspired by others, vent if you have to, and know that you are doing an amazing job!