Snow Unit Study and Snowflakes Printable | Winter Science

• Share on Facebook
• Email this Page
• Share on WhatsApp
• Share on Pinterest
• Share on X
• Share on LinkedIn
• Share on Telegram
• Share on Flipboard

Inside: Make winter learning exciting with this Snow Unit Study! Packed with 50 pages of science, math, art, and literacy activities, it’s perfect for kids in grades 2–8. Download a FREE sample!

Winter is a season of stillness. The days are shorter, the trees are bare, and nature seems to be taking a deep breath, waiting for spring. But then there’s snow—a brilliant exception to winter’s quiet. Snow is exciting, full of texture, patterns, and wonder. It invites play, exploration, and curiosity. Yet, after the initial thrill of snowball fights and snowman building, parents and teachers often ask, What now?

For eclectic homeschoolers and creative educators, snow is more than just something to enjoy outdoors—it’s an opportunity to teach. Snow opens the door to science, art, math, geography, and literacy, making it the perfect foundation for rich, engaging Snow Unit Study worksheets. Whether you’re explaining snowflake symmetry to younger kids or exploring snow hydrology with older students, snow brings endless possibilities for meaningful lessons.

And yes, even upper elementary and middle school students can get into the complexities of snow, from its molecular structure to its cultural significance around the world. In this post, you’ll find practical ideas, tips, and resources to make learning about snow engaging for all age groups. Whether you’re working with gifted kids who crave depth or just want to bring a seasonal twist to your regular curriculum, this post has something for you.

Pin this image to read the article later. 📌

Why Teach About Snow?

Well… because snow isn’t just beautiful or an excuse to head outdoors. Snow is a gateway to so many learning opportunities that connect kids to the world around them. It’s science you can touch, math you can measure, art you can create, and stories you can share. For parents and teachers, snow offers a rare chance to make learning deeply interactive and exciting—especially during the slower months of winter.

Snow teaches key elements of nature and weather in a way no textbook can replicate. Kids can explore how snow crystals form, why water molecules bond into perfect hexagons, and how snow impacts ecosystems through concepts like snow water equivalent. The topic blends naturally into other subjects, from literacy activities like studying the beautifully written Snowflake Bentley to creative math exercises on radial symmetry.

For younger children, the thrill of creating paper snowflakes or experimenting with artificial snow can spark a lifelong interest in learning. For older kids in upper elementary and middle school, diving deeper into the science of winter—like how crystal formation changes with temperature—offers new challenges and keeps them engaged.

Teaching about snow is also a good way to embrace flexibility in learning. It can fit seamlessly into social studies, science lessons, or nature studies, depending on what your kids are curious about. And for homeschoolers, a snow unit study is a great way to tie multiple subjects together into one cohesive experience.

More importantly, snow gives you the freedom to make learning tangible. Catching snowflakes on paper, observing snow during a walk, or even calculating snowfall amounts transforms abstract concepts into real-world learning.

Snow Activities Ideas for Kids

Snow naturally invites exploration and creativity, but when you combine it with a learning mindset, the possibilities are endless. So let me give you some ideas of activities you can do.

1. Science Meets Play

• Make Artificial Snow: Using materials like baking soda and conditioner, create a sensory-friendly version of snow indoors. This hands-on experiment is included in the free sample of my printable pack and introduces kids to the concept of snow hydrology.
• Catch Snowflakes: On a snowy day, have kids catch snowflakes on black paper to observe their shapes. Use magnifying glasses or a pocket microscope to study their crystal formation.
• Melting Experiment: Collect snow in jars and watch how it melts. Compare how much water different amounts of snow create to discuss the snow water equivalent.

2. Math and Symmetry

• Paper Snowflakes: Teach radial symmetry by cutting out intricate snowflake designs. This is a simple way to introduce geometric patterns to younger children. You can find a brief introduction ans simple activity for this in my printable.
• Snowflake Geometry: For older kids, use my printable worksheets to calculate the area of hexagonal shapes, connecting math to beautiful snowflakes.

3. Creative and Artful Fun

• Design a Snow Festival: Challenge kids to create their own version of a winter festival with activities like snow sculpting or snow globe displays. Inspire them by finding out more about snow festivals around the world (included in my printable).
• Build a Snowman Craft: Use paper, buttons, and yarn to make an indoor snowman on days with bad weather.

4. Outdoor Exploration

• Snow Sculptures: Go beyond snowmen and encourage kids to build animals, towers, or even a miniature igloo.
• Compass Points in the Snow: Teach basic navigation by marking directions in the snow with sticks or rocks—a good way to integrate physical education into your winter unit study.

Resources to Teach Kids About Snow

Finding the right resources can make your snow unit study even more engaging. Whether you’re teaching young children, older kids, or gifted students, there are tools and materials to suit every need. Below are some of the best options across books, videos, apps, and more to help kids dive deeper into the science of snow. You can get even more ideas by downloading my free sample or getting the full printable.

Books to Explore

1. For Young Children:
   • The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats: A classic picture book that introduces the wonder of snow through beautiful language and simple storytelling.
   • Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman: A wordless story that lets kids imagine their own winter adventure.
   • Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin: This biography of Wilson Bentley is perfect for learning about the art of snowflakes and the man who photographed them for the first time.
2. For Older Kids and Curious Learners:
   • The Story of Snow by Mark Cassino: A science-based book explaining crystal formation with real photographs of snowflakes.
   • Field Guide to Snowflakes by Kenneth Libbrecht :
   • The Snowflake by Kenneth Libbrecht :

Educational Videos

• TED-Ed’s “The Science of Snowflakes”: A fascinating look at water molecules and the key elements that make each snowflake unique.
• BBC’s Ideas “The science of snowflakes with Brian Cox”: Explores deeper concepts about snowflakes.

Apps and Interactive Tools

• Virtual Snowflake Creator: An interactive app that lets kids design their own snowflakes while learning about radial symmetry.

Hands-On Printables and Resources

• My Snow Unit Study Printable Pack: A complete resource for teaching kids about snow with activities, worksheets, and informational sheets that span science, math, art, and literacy. The pack includes everything from paper snowflakes to study guides on snow water equivalent.

For Gifted and Older Students

• How Snowflakes Form – The Science Behind the Beaut: An engaging video by TED-Ed that explains the fascinating process of snowflake formation, focusing on crystal growth, radial symmetry, and the role of temperature and humidity.
• Snowflakes Aren’t Perfect and That’s Okay: Veritasium challenges the idea of flawless snowflake symmetry, exploring how environmental conditions influence snow crystal formation.
• The Physics of Snowflakes: This video from The Royal Institution delves into the physics of snow, explaining the molecular interactions that create stunning six-sided snowflakes.
• How Ice and Snow Keep You Warm: Reactions explains the surprising insulating properties of snow and ice, tying into lessons on snow hydrology and environmental science.
• The Chemistry of Snowflakes: The American Chemistry Society unpacks the chemical structure of water molecules and how they lead to unique snowflake designs.
• Why Snowflakes Are All Different: Quartz explores why no two snowflakes are alike, highlighting the environmental factors that make each snowflake unique.
• Close Look at Snowflakes – Micro World: Deep Look offers a stunning microscopic view of real snowflakes, showing their intricate patterns and explaining how they form.

Wrapping Up: Turning Winter into a Learning Adventure

Winter offers a unique opportunity to slow down and focus on meaningful, engaging learning. Snow can be so much more than just outdoor fun—it’s a perfect way to spark curiosity and connect lessons to the natural world.

With the right activities and resources, snow becomes a tool for teaching science, math, art, and so much more. Whether it’s creating paper snowflakes, or exploring the science of crystal formationthere’s something cool to learn and experiment for every age and interest.

If you’re looking for a way to make planning easier, my snow unit study printable pack is a simple and affordable option. Packed with hands-on activities, comprehension worksheets, and creative projects, it’s designed to help parents and teachers bring winter learning to life. And with the free sample included, you can try a few activities before diving into the full pack.

Winter doesn’t have to be a quiet season. With a little creativity, you can make it a great time for discovery, exploration, and memories that your kids will carry with them for years.

This post may contain affiliate links. By making a purchase through these links, I get a small percentage for the item you bought while the price stays the same for you. Thank you for supporting me.

Read my Disclosure to find out more about how I support my website and how you can help.