Snowstorm in a Jar Winter Science Experiment for Preschoolers
This STEM activity makes a great addition to a Winter theme or snow study for homeschool kids. It’s simple and safe enough for preschoolers, and engaging enough for older kids, too! The perfect big family science experiment for the Winter season.
While learning about snow this Winter, I set out to find a science experiment that emulated a blizzard. I just knew it had to exist!
And, wouldn’t you know it, this snowstorm in a jar experiment was just what I was looking for. It doesn’t snow down here in Texas very often, and most Winters go by without a single snowflake finding it’s way to our yard. This was the first year that my son even noticed that we don’t get to partake in the snowy fun, and studying snowflakes wasn’t exactly an easy topic to cover since neither of us have any real-world experience with it.
So, while we may not have gotten any real snow this year, this Winter science experiment filled the hold left in our snowless hearts.
While You’re Planning Your Winter Theme:
- Check out my Winter Unit here. (Use code WINTER25 for 25% off) If you join my Preschool Program Membership, you’ll get a major discount on all past Unit Studies, and 2 brand new units included each month!)
- Here’s a list of the best Winter books for toddlers and preschoolers
- Here’s a list of fun Winter activities for preschoolers
- Here are some creative and engaging Winter crafts for preschoolers
- Here’s a list of fun and delicious Winter snacks for kids
- Here’s a fun Hot Chocolate song for preschoolers
Homeschool Preschool Winter Crafts & Activities We’ve Done:
- Snowman Playdough Tray
- Hot Chocolate Sensory Bin
- Shaving Cream Sensory Writing
- Snowman Paper Plate Wreath Craft
- Easy Pretend Snow Sensory Bin with Baking Soda and Conditioner
- Salt Crystal Snowflakes
- Cotton Ball Snowman Craft
- Torn Paper Snowflake Craft
- Thumbprint Cookies
Check out my Winter Printables for Preschoolers:
- Snowman Counting Printable
- Winter Flashcards for Preschoolers
- Gingerbread Man Lacing
- Penguin Alphabet Hat Matching Printable
- Anatomy of a Snowflake Worksheet
- Winter Pre-K Workbook
- Winter Dot Marker Pack
- Winter Coloring Book
- Printable Winter Wonderland Puppets for Preschoolers
- Winter I-Spy Busy Bag
- Hot Cocoa Marshmallow Counting Activity
- Winter Hat Craft
- Hot Cocoa Stand Dramatic Play Station
- Snowflake Nature Study
- Polar Bear Mini Unit
- Name Snowman Building Name Recognition Activity
Winter Activities and Printables for Toddlers:
- Penguin Hat Match (Color Recognition) Printable
- Fill a Snowman Activity
- Paint the Snow
- Dot Sticker Snowflake
- Winter I-Spy Worksheet
- Snowflake Painting
- Decorate the Christmas Tree Printable
- Snowflake Matching
- Cotton Ball Snow Activity Bin
Snowstorm in a Jar Preschool Science Experiment
Here’s what you’ll need for this Winter Science Blizzard Experiment:
- Baby oil
- Water
- Washable white paint
- Alka Seltzer tablets
- Optional: glitter
To make it without baby oil, you can substitute cooking oil, but I don’t recommend it at all because of the color.
You can also add food coloring to simulate the blue sky, but we skipped this step.
How to Make a Snowstorm in a Jar:
1. Fill jar 1/4 of the way with water.
2. Mix in white washable paint until it looks like milk. It shouldn’t take much at all.
3. Fill the jar the rest of the way with baby oil, and add glitter.
4. Allow the oil and water to separate and settle.
5. Break an alka seltzer tablet up into a few pieces and allow your child to drop them into the jar.
6. Watch the snowstorm!
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