Are you looking for a fun and easy activity to do with your kids? Well, you’re in the right place; we’ve got the thing just for you! We will show you how to make fake snow with cornstarch. Not only is this project simple and entertaining, but it is also one of the great weather experiments for kids that they are sure to enjoy.

With just a few basic ingredients, you can easily create your very own snow. Sounds exciting, right? In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to make it step by step. So, stick around to know more!

Barbasol shaving cream and corn starch containers

Have you ever wished for a wintery day, even when the weather doesn’t cooperate? Or maybe, if you’ve never experienced it, have you ever been curious about what it feels like? I don’t know about you, but there’s something so magical about the season that you can’t help but wish for it all year round.

Luckily, with this simple and creative activity, you can experience winter magic anytime you want. And the best part? You don’t even have to leave your house. All you need is some cornstarch and a few other household items, and you’ll be on your way to making fake snow that looks and feels just like the real thing!

This activity is great for kids of all ages, but adults can also join in on the fun. It’s a good way to spend quality time with your family while also learning about science and getting creative. Are you convinced and ready to give it a try? Let’s jump right in and get started!

Table of Contents

Supplies Used To Make Fake Snow With Cornstarch

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Freeze Cornstarch for Cold Fake Snow

When doing this experiment, the goal is to get it as close to the real thing as possible. While you probably won’t be able to have an exact replica, that doesn’t mean you can’t make the experience feel authentic and fun. Actually, there’s a trick you can try that could be an absolute game changer!

All you need to do is freeze your cornstarch – yep, it’s that simple! It might not seem like a big deal, but trust me, this little step makes a huge difference in the final result. Just by doing this, it will make the results feel all nice and chilly, just as if it were the real thing. If you don’t have cornstarch available, you can try this salt as an alternative with this guide on how to make snow with salt.

Just measure out the amount that you think you will need for your project and put it in a plastic bag or container. Then, place it in the freezer for at least 2-3 hours before using it. You also have the option to leave it overnight if you want to make it extra chilly.

When it’s time to start your experiment, just take it out of the freezer, and you’re good to go! Now you have the perfect base so you can begin creating your winter wonderland. Pretty cool, right?

Pour Chilled Cornstarch into Container

Once you have your bowl or baking sheet ready, you can take out your chilled cornstarch and measure about 8 ounces. You can add more or less depending on how much you want to make. Just remember this recipe is very forgiving so even if your measurements aren’t exact, it will still turn out great!

If you’re planning on making more, simply double or triple the amount accordingly. But if you’re unsure about it, start with a smaller quantity first and then add more later on as needed. The goal here is to have enough to work with and make sure everyone can get in on the fun.

Add Shaving Cream

Alright, now for the next step; things might start to get a little bit messy. It’s time to add in the shaving cream, and this is when it gets really exciting, as everything will finally start to come together.

adding shaving cream to a bowl of corn starch

Now, depending on how much cornstarch you have, you might need more or less of this product. Something that you have to take note of is that shaving cream might add a bit of volume to your mixture. You can start by adding about half of a 10-ounce can of it.

Make sure to do it gradually, and as you do, start mixing everything together. You can do it with your hands – this will be especially fun to do with the kids as they will really enjoy feeling the texture. Just make sure to have some towels nearby for easy cleanup afterward.

But you can also use a spoon or a spatula, as it can get pretty messy. Once most of it is mixed in, switch to using your hands and knead until everything has been coated evenly.

Adjust Ratio of Shaving Cream

The best thing about doing this experiment is that it is totally customizable! Depending on your preference, you can add more or less of the shaving cream depending on the texture that you want. Something that we have observed is that the more you add, the better the mixture will be to pack into snowballs.

But remember, there is no right or wrong here! You can experiment with different ratios and see what fits you best. The point of this experience is to have fun and discover new things. So don’t be afraid to play around and see what works for you.

And voila! You now have your fake snow that you can play around with anytime. Whether you’re using it for a fun craft project, holiday decorations, or just for some sensory play with your kids, it’s easy to make and guarantees hours of enjoyment. Happy creating! Check out this post for more ways how to make instant snow at home!

creamy mixture of shaving cream and corn starch

How cold does it need to be to snow?

Real snow forms when tiny water droplets in clouds freeze into ice crystals. These crystals clump together to make snowflakes, and once they’re heavy enough, they fall to the ground. But for snow to happen, the air high up in the sky has to be really cold, at least 32°F (0°C) or lower. If it’s too warm, the snowflakes can melt on the way down and turn into rain instead.

That being said, it doesn’t always have to be near or below freezing at the surface for snow to fall from the sky! In fact, there have been many occasions where snow has been reported falling when the temperature is near 50°F! I have personally witnessed this several times, and it was one of the weather wonders that sparked my curiosity about the weather as a young kid. Of course, the ground temperature was too warm for any snow to stick around, and it melted as soon as it landed on the ground.

But as long as the layer of warmer air near the ground is pretty shallow, and the air above you is below freezing for most of the time that the snow is falling through the air, then the snowflakes can remain frozen when falling through a thin layer of above-freezing air near the ground. This happens most often in areas where the humidity is lower.

Can I be Too Cold To Snow?

A common theory often heard is that if it’s too cold, it can’t snow. But is this really true!? The idea that the temperature can be too cold for snow stems from the fact that the colder the air gets, the less moisture it can hold. You obviously need moisture to create snow, so yes, if the air is super cold, it will be drier, and there will be less moisture available for the atmosphere to create snow.

So, while it is much more common to receive a heavy dumping of snow when the temperature is hovering around that magical 32°F mark (because the warmer air holds more moisture), it can actually snow at temperatures much, much colder than that! In fact, did you know that the coldest recorded temperature for snowfall was -67.7 degrees Fahrenheit in Antarctica? Brrr! I sure wouldn’t want to be there!

So, simply having temperatures below freezing doesn’t necessarily guarantee that it will snow. It’s actually more about the humidity and moisture in the air.

And that’s a wrap! We hope you had fun learning how to make fake snow with cornstarch. It’s such a quick and easy DIY project that anyone can try, and it’s a great way to mix things up when boredom hits. You also have a new fun fact your kids can share with their friends!