Frugal Fun: Make Your Own Snow Paintby Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger 23 Jan 2007 09:47 AM
By the time 3:30 rolls around, there should be just enough of the white stuff to turn the neighborhood into a winter playground. Before we leave the warm house to walk the couple of blocks to school to pick up my eldest from Kindergarten, I'm going to gather all of the ingredients for snow paint. I know that Andrew will be spending most of his day at school dreaming of playing as soon as he gets out. Having the snow paint all ready will give him a chance to play for a bit before homework starts--a rare event, as I usually make him start his homework right away. Snow paint, when you make it yourself, is a really frugal and fun activity on days like this. There are kits out there for snow paint, but my way is pretty much free. It costs so little that I can't even calculate it! It is very quick and easy process to make your own snow paint. First, you will need some containers. I use the plastic squirt bottles I was given at the hospital after the birth of each of my children, but you can use any inexpensive squirt or spray bottle--sports water bottles work really well for this. Next, put a few drops of food coloring in each bottle and fill the bottles with warm water. That is all you need to do! My kids love using this "paint" to draw masterpieces in the snow, and decorate their snow forts and sculptures. The colors and blend and mix in the snow to make some pretty cool effects. I usually have at least six bottles ready made, as the paint goes quickly. Do you have any snow on the ground today? Related Articles: Learn more about Mary Ann Romans  Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat. Relevantfrugal tags User Comments  Linda Hansen (1796) 23 Jan 2007 08:58 AMWhat a great idea. Too bad we don't see much snow in south Tx, my kids would love to paint snow. Artcraft  Mary Ann Romans (26791) 23 Jan 2007 09:25 AMHmm, what about making minature snowman out of shaved ice (from a snowcone maker)? The kids could color them with juice and then eat them!  Lessly (57391) 23 Jan 2007 11:21 AMGuess what I'm trying when we get a bit more snow....This sounds like so much fun! Thanks for the idea! Mary Ann Romans (26791) 23 Jan 2007 11:46 AMLessly, Thanks for reading! If the kids make any masterpieces will you share a photo?  Michele Thorne (461) 23 Jan 2007 03:20 PMMy son has been doing this since he could pull the pump on a spray bottle. He LOVES doing this. It's fun to actually mix up the types of bottles you use to see the different patterns, which one is best for writing in the snow, and which one is better for filling a large area, etc. Mary Ann Romans (26791) 23 Jan 2007 05:10 PMMichele, using the different types of bottles is a great idea!!!! 1carolyn (5) 13 Feb 2007 09:37 PMWith all thw snow we just got, seems like a great party favor for our upcoming event. I like the idea of different spray triggers. Does anyone know of good source for bottles? Any creative ideas on how to package for "goody bag"? Thinking about 3 bottles per child and would not want the food coloring to leak. Perhaps include cute instruction to add warm water and have fyn etc.. Thaks in advance for input. Mary Ann Romans (26791) 14 Feb 2007 05:44 AMCarolyn, wow you are very creative. I wouldn't have thought of using this idea as a party activity. I know that bed bath and beyond have small spray bottles in different colors, although the nozzles are all the same. I bought some for general cleaning. If you do shop there, don't forget to bring multiple coupons (there is a blog about this in the deals blog). athomewithgodsgifts (15) 18 Feb 2007 07:13 PMNot much snow here in Mississippi this winter, although we got 4 miutes of sleet, but maybe when I get back to my home in Virginia! I love these ideas. I had forgotten. We used to do this when I was a kid, back when the earth was still cooling! geimdieke (5) 22 Mar 2008 02:51 PMI gave some Snow Paint bottles and packets of dry color to our neighbor kids. Bought them for my own kids but they out grew them before we used them. Does your home made snow paint made from food coloring stain the clothes? Mary Ann Romans (26791) 22 Mar 2008 06:02 PMFood coloring is a type of dye, so it could stain. However, since it is so diluted, I haven't seen any stains in acuality. Community Tags activity, art, fun, Kids, paint, snow, winter Discuss this article
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It is mid morning here in Pennsylvania, and the snow is gently falling. The big fat flakes are slow and relaxed, too soft to cancel school. The two youngest kids and I are spending the time alternately playing and watching the progress of the snow. Molly is dressing up her magnetic dolls for the wintery weather, and little Henry is working on getting his knees up to crawl. It is a wonderful cozy day, the kind that makes me happy to be able to work at home and spend my morning with my babies. 
