Looking for a fun indoor activity to entertain your kids? This easy fake snow recipe calls for just 2 edible ingredients, and it is a great way to get your kids excited about winter. It even feels cold to the touch, just like real snow!
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There are lots of ways to make homemade snow for sensory play. But if you’re looking for the best recipe that feels the most like real snow, you’ll love this easy fake snow recipe that actually feels cold to the touch.
This moldable snow is perfect for the winter months, or for times when your child is missing the snow during summer heat waves. Plus, it’s so simple to make that you’ll never need another fake snow recipe ever again!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to make: Once the baking soda has been chilled, the whole process literally takes under 30 seconds from start to finish. Simply keep a box of baking soda in your freezer just in case (like I do), and you’ll always have an activity at the ready that takes less than a minute to set up!
- Just 2 ingredients: This recipe calls for just 2 simple ingredients, and both of them are edible and widely available. All you’ll need to make it is water and baking soda, which you probably already have at home.
- Cold to the touch: This fake snow recipe is different from most others and extra fun for kids to play with because it actually feels cold—just like real snow!
Looking for more easy sensory play activities? Check out this Muddy Farm Animal Sensory Bin, these 2-Ingredient Sensory Recipes or these Taste-Safe Sensory Play Ideas.
Making This Recipe for Young Kids?
While baking soda is taste-safe in small amounts, it can be toxic when consumed in large quantities (especially for small children). If you think your child is likely to try to eat this, visit the FAQ section to find out how to make fake snow that is fully edible.
Required Ingredients
- Baking soda: Depending on where you live, you may also know this as bicarbonate of soda or sodium bicarbonate. For this recipe, I like to skip the measurements and use an entire 500-gram box. I have also included the measurement in cups in case you need it.
- Ice water: I usually just let the tap run for about 30 seconds, until the water feels very cold to the touch. If your tap doesn’t run cold enough, you can always add an ice cube or place the water in the freezer for a little bit. You can also simply use room temperature water if you don’t care whether the snow feels cold.
- Glitter (optional): I don’t typically use it, but if you want to add a little sparkle to your fake snow, you can add some white glitter or iridescent glitter. Keep in mind that this will make the cleanup more difficult, and that the recipe will no longer be taste-safe.
The full ingredient list, quantities and instructions can be found in the recipe card.
How to Make Fake Snow (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Freeze baking soda. Place a box of baking soda in your freezer overnight to chill. This will affect only the temperature of the baking soda, and not the texture, so feel free to skip this step if you don’t want the snow to feel cold.
Step 2: Add water. Pour the chilled baking soda into a large bowl or container and add some ice cold water, one tablespoon at a time, stirring between each addition. Keep adding water until your snow reaches the desired consistency. (It should be powdery, but moldable.)
Once you are happy with the texture, it’s time to play! We had fun adding dinosaur figurines and pressing “snowballs” together to create a snowman. (You may need to add a little water for this if your fake snow is too powdery.)
In the spirit of keeping this activity taste-safe, we used sprinkles for the eyes and nose, but we’ve also had success using small pieces of torn construction paper (which I actually preferred, because the color didn’t leach into the snow). Feel free to experiment with different materials and see what works best for you!
Helpful Tips
- Try different quantities of water: Using less water will make the snow more powdery, while using more will help it hold its shape when pressed into a ball. I use about 5 tablespoons of water per 500 grams of baking soda, but feel free to experiment until you find the perfect consistency. (Just make sure you add small quantities at a time and stir between each addition, as the baking soda will dissolve if too much water is added.)
- Keep some baking soda in the freezer: I generally keep a box of baking soda in our freezer at all times so I can quickly throw this together if my kids feel like playing with fake snow.
- Mix the ingredients right in the bin: To avoid unnecessary cleanup, I like to mix the baking soda and water right in the bin that my kids will be using the play rather than in a separate bowl.
- Try small world play: There are lots of ways to play with this fake snow, so don’t be afraid to get creative with your setup! We added dinosaurs, but feel free to add arctic animals, characters from Frozen or any other toys your child loves to create a winter scene. This pretend snow is the perfect material to use if you want to create your own winter wonderland!
Storage Instructions
Store the snow in an airtight container in the fridge when not in use. This will help preserve it as well as keep the temperature cool so it’s always ready for play.
(Note: Storing it in the freezer will cause it to harden as the water freezes, but the fridge will keep the temperature cool without causing it to harden.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question that wasn’t answered here? Let me know in the comments and I’ll be happy to help!
More Winter Activity Ideas
If you have tried this Fake Snow Recipe or any other project on my website, please let me know how it went in the comments below. I can’t wait to hear from you!
2-Ingredient Fake Snow
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups (one 500-gram box) baking soda
- 5 tbsp ice water or as needed
Instructions
- Place a box of baking soda in the freezer overnight. (This will affect only the temperature—skip this step if you don’t want the snow to feel cold.)
- Pour the chilled baking soda into a large bowl or container and add some ice cold water, one tablespoon at a time, stirring between each addition. Keep adding water until your snow reaches the desired consistency.
Video
Notes
- Keep some baking soda in the freezer: Storing a box of baking soda in the freezer will allow you to make this without needing to plan in advance.
- Mix the ingredients right in the bin: Combine the baking soda and water right in the bin that your kids will be using the play to avoid unnecessary cleanup.
- Make the snow last as long as possible: The snow will last up to 1 month if properly stored. To make it last as long as possible, make sure to keep it clean and don’t let it come into contact with perishable food items.
I am very excited to try this experiment with my grandsons. 🤗In England bicarbonate /baking soda only comes in 100g boxes. You must use a lot of baking soda in your country. What do you use it for🤔
Oh wow! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a 100-gram box. 😅 We use ours for activities, but a lot of people use them for cleaning or place a box in their fridge to absorb odours. So that might be why the boxes are bigger.
This is not taste safe! Baking soda can be poisonous and toxic for babies and children!!!
Thank you for bringing this to my attention! I researched this after reading your comment, and it would seem that while baking soda is generally considered taste-safe, it can indeed be harmful if too much of it is consumed at once. I have updated the article to reflect this and have provided a truly taste-safe alternative for those of you who need it!