Preschool Education Science : Seasons

Need: A bowl, Snow or ice, Mittens made from construction paper, Cloth mitten, and paper towel.

Have the children rub their hands in the bowl of snow or Ice, until there hands are cold. Then have them place one hand in a paper mitten and one hand in a cloth mitten.

Extension: Also use a mitten made from Wax paper, aluminum foil, Newspaper, Cotton, and other materials you have on hand.

Need: Magnifying glass, Cardboard, dark colored felt (black is best), Access to a freezer, and a snowy day.

If it snows were you live, let the children examine snowflakes with a magnifying glass. The best way to catch snowflakes if to wrap some black felt on a piece of cardboard. Place the felt board in the freezer for a bit. (Snowflakes will last longer when they are caught on a clod board.) Then go out side when it is snowing and place the board where it will get snowed on. Help the Children observe the snowflakes and how each is unique. Remember no two snowflakes are alike.

Ice Caverns added 1-6-00 Original Author Unknown

Need: Blocks of ice, Kitchen baster or eye droppers, Measuring Pitcher, 1/4 C warm water, 1/2 C salt, Food coloring (optional)

A day before the activity, freeze water in large containers. (gallon ice cream jugs or dishpans work great) On the day of the experiment, thaw the ice enough to dump on a tray or into a large pan. Mix warm water and salt, add food coloring if desired. Let the children use the baster to squirt small amounts of the salt solution onto the ice. Try to have them use large and small amounts and ask them what they see. Have the children watch the ice crack and form caverns. If you use colors the colors will mix as the solution eats into the ice.

Chill containers of bubble solution in the refrigerator. When the temperature is below freezing, take your children outside to blow bubbles. Have your children observe the bubbles closely as they blow. They will notice ice crystals forming on the surfaces of the bubbles. What happens when the bubbles pop? (They shatter)

Winter Science Snowy Science added 10-29-01 Original Author Unknown

Let it snow and you'll have a super science lesson that only takes minutes to prepare. At the start of a snowy school day, fill a fishbowl with lightly packed snow. Set the bowl in your science center; then place a small toy sailboat atop the snow. Encourage youngsters to observe and comment on the changes that take place during the day as the snow begins to melt and the boat begins to float.

Keep Some Snowflakes added 10-29-01 Original Author Unknown

What you will need: Piece of glass Hairspray (aerosol, NOT pump) Snow You can have a permanent record of your caught snowflakes if you freeze a piece of glass and the hairspray before the next snowfall. (Both may be stored in the freezer until you need them.) When your ready to collect some snowflakes, spray your chilled glass with the chilled hairspray and go outside and let some snowflakes settle on the glass. When you have enough flakes bring the glass indoors and allow it to thaw at room temperature for about 15 min. Now you have a permanent record of your snowflakes!

Driving On Ice added 12-16-01 Original Author Unknown

Fill three jelly roll pans with water and freeze the day before this activity is planned. Gather small match-box car, spoons, salt and sand. Have children try to drive the cars over the ice. What Happens? Spoon salt over one sheet of ice and sand over another. What happens when the children try to drive the cars over these surfaces? What implications can be drawn for driving on ice.

Make A Snow Gauge added 2-10-02 Original Author Unknown

Take an old clear plastic soda pop bottle and cut off the top half. Mark the outside in centimeters or inches with a permanent laundry marker and place it outside in a place where it can collect the falling snow.