Learn how to paint snow indoors using liquid watercolors and watch as the white snow transforms into a colorful canvas. This is a fun and easy way for kids to get creative in the winter.
Updated December 2024
I’ve lived in the Northeast my entire life, and I’ve never painted snow before. And after trying it, my kids have decided we need to do it every time it snows!
We were inspired to try this fun process art activity by our contributor, Rachel Withers, who tried it out with her kids after a recent snowstorm. It did not disappoint.
My kids happily squirted paint onto a tray of freshly collected snow until we were all out, and then they used the painted snow for some sensory play with their polar animal toys!
How to Paint Snow for Kids
MATERIALS
- Real snow (collected from outside)
- Flat trays or containers to hold the snow
- Liquid watercolors or watered down food coloring in cups or jars
- Eye droppers
- Animal figurines or toys
INSTRUCTIONS
- Collect your snow
This activity is obviously best done during the wintertime, when there is snow! If you live in a warm climate, you can try this activity using ice you’ve made in the freezer.
If you’re using snow, go outside and collect clean and fresh snow. Bring it inside and pack it into flat trays or containers.
- Set up your painting area
Lay down a plastic tablecloth to protect your surface. Place the trays of snow on the table.
Add some liquid watercolors to your jars and add water to fill the jars.
- Paint!
Fill the eye droppers with paint and squirt onto the snow! That’s all there is to it! Experiment with different colors and patterns.
Kids can mix colors, create gradients or rainbows, or even try to make scenes like mountains or forests in the snow. The snow will absorb the paint and create all kinds of designs.
- Play!
If your children like, once they’re finished painting, they can add some small toys or animal figurines to the snow. We found that even with the added liquid paint, the snow lasted quite a while for playing.
When you’re done, simply dump the snow outside!
This was a really fun and easy winter art activity and sensory activity, all rolled into one! If you’re wondering what to do on your next snow day, give this a try!
More Winter Art Activities for Kids
- How to Make Instant Snow for Kids
- 13 Winter Crafts for Kids
- How to Do a Melting Ice Experiment
- How to Make Swedish Snow Lanterns
- How to Make Snow Ice Cream
- 12 Winter Sensory Bins for Kids
Want even more creative ideas?
Check out our Winter Fun Creativity pack!
Cozy up with some of our favorite wintertime activities for creative kids! This pack has 40 pages of winter-themed art activities that will keep your kids busy even on the snowiest day!
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