My children handmake gifts for friends, family, and teachers and ornaments are often part of that. One of our favorites is these beautiful snowflakes. My daughter loves to sit and make these and delights in knowing that, just like real snowflakes, they are all unique.
There are plenty of kits available for making these but the materials are also fairly simple to find.
My son has a little less patience and focus than my daughter did at his age (2), but he wanted to join in the snowflake making. I was impressed and surprised that he managed to put one together himself. I think it was more an exercise in patience for mommy than it was for the toddler! I practically had to sit on my hands to keep myself from helping him as he’d drop beads and work so hard to get them onto each stem. He was so determined! In the end, he did a great job making one for his swim instructor.
Materials:
- chenille stem(s) in silver or metallic blue
- beads in clear and translucent shades of blue
- ribbon
Directions:
1. For smaller snowflakes, you can cut one chenille stem in thirds. Twist the three pieces in the center to form the frame of your snowflake.
2. Add beads to the snowflake. I suggest to my kids that they can create a nice pattern by choosing one color to place on all six stems, then choosing another color. My daughter also likes to alternate colors on some rounds. For smaller stars, three beads on each stem works well. You can also create larger ones–we made one today to hang from our dining room chandelier.
3. Tie a ribbon in a loop and twist the end of one of the stems to secure it.
4. Twist the end of each stem to secure the beads. You can also add a drop of glue to each end.
Books about snowflakes:
The Smallest Snowflake by Bernadette Watts: In this cute little story, a snowflake considers many possible places to land throughout the globe and finally finds the perfect place. In a sweet ending, the snowflake finds her cozy place as part of an artist’s inspiration.
The Snowflake : A Water Cycle Story by Neil Waldman: This fictionalized account of the journey of a snowflake through the water cycle and back again is a simple introduction for young children.
Educational Connections:
- Vocabulary: Some key vocabulary to introduce to appropriate age groups: liquid, solid, gas, evaporation, condensation, symmetry, crystal
- Science: Winter is a perfect time to study the water cycle at any level. Take some snow inside and watch it melt. Then, take the water and use a balloon to experiment with evaporation and condensation. Put your water back in the freezer and turn it back into ice. Head outside again and check out your breath. Why can you see it on a cold winter’s day?
- Science: Take a black piece of construction paper outside on a snowy day and a magnifying glass. What do snow crystals look like? Check out SnowCrystals.com for some gorgeous photographs and plenty of science for the teens and adults.
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Hi, Candace! My two oldest kids (ages 4 and 6) have been making these snowflakes this morning, and they are so much fun! I like that the project is open-ended, simple enough for my 4-year-old, and pretty. The kids are excited to be able to make these for Christmas presents. -Amy
My son and I, now 4 yrs old, started a tradition to make Christmas ornaments for his grandparents last year. We chose these this year and they turned out beautifully! Thank you so much for sharing!
So happy to hear that! I would love to see any pictures!
Those are so pretty. You could give them away as party favors or decorate gifts with them. And they’re perfect for Frozen parties
Would you be able to tell me what size (mm) the beads are?
I have used different sized beads–probably around 6-8mm. Hope that helps!
So easy!!!