Learn how to make fake snow that is cold to the touch using just 2 ingredients you already have! Kids love playing with this DIY snow that feels SO real!
Living in Southern California means that my kids don’t get to experience snow. They don’t know what it’s like to dig their fingers in cool, freshly fallen crisp snow and form a snowball or make a snowman.
I wanted my kids to have a taste of what snow feels like, so I created some DIY fake snow that feels just like the real thing!
It’s surprisingly easy to make snow at home that-
- naturally feels cold when you touch it (without placing it in the freezer)
- is really fun to play with
- is SO easy to make
- uses just two simple ingredients
Bonus: This fake snow smells really amazing too!
Today I’m going to show you how to make fake snow with baking soda and shaving cream. Seriously!!
This sock snowman made from a men’s sock goes perfect with the snow and takes only 10 minutes to make.
How to Make Snow Video
Watch the video below to see how easy it is to make your own snow without having to deal with freezing cold weather.
Your kiddos are going to love this!
How to Make Fake Snow
Snow Ingredients
- baking soda
- shaving cream
- Dish or container (to mix it all up in)
DIY Snow Directions
Pour the baking soda into a plastic container with a lid.
Add some shaving cream, and knead it into the baking soda.
Add more shaving cream, mix, and repeat, until the mixture is the consistency of snow.
The DIY fake snow become light and powdery, and will leave very little residue on your hands when fully mixed.
It took me about 10 minutes to mix it all in with my hands, partly because the kids were really excited to “help” me mix. 😉
I used one full can of shaving cream, plus a small amount of another can, but this will depend on the size of the can that you use.
Our shaving cream scent was called “Arctic Snow,” which was perfect for this project!
Our DIY snow smelled amazingly brisk and cool due the shaving cream scent.
It was a nice surprise that our fake snow felt cold to the touch.
I’m not sure why the mixture is cold, but it definitely makes it more realistic, and even more magical!
To add to the magic, I just couldn’t resist adding Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Christoff, and Sven to our DIY fake snow.
The kids were all playing peacefully together with the snow for HOURS, which was really nice.
My kids took turn playing the different Frozen characters, and then made their own little snowmen complete with stick arms and tiny pebble eyes.
Our fake snow came together just like real snow when pressed.
My kids were so enchanted with their cold, fresh-smelling snow, and to be honest, so was I.
I played right alongside them for a while, digging my fingers into the cool powder.
It was very therapeutic!
How to Store the Fake Snow
I let the kids mix up the snow in a plastic container with a lid.
After my kids are done playing with the snow, I just put the lid on top and put it somewhere out of the reach of my kids until next play time.
Would you ever have believed that it was so easy to make fake snow?
I truly hope you enjoyed this how to make snow tutorial!
How to Make Snow
Equipment
- Plastic container with lid or large bowl (to mix the snow in)
Materials
- 2 lb box baking soda
- 1-2 cans shaving cream
Instructions
- Pour the whole 2 lb. box of baking soda into a plastic container with a lid.
- Add some shaving cream, and knead it into the baking soda. Keep adding more shaving cream, mixing, and repeating, until the mixture is the consistency of snow. You will know it is done when it is light and powdery and doesn't leave residue on your hands.
This tutorial was originally posted in April 2015 and was updated in August 2021.
Emily says
Hi Laura, I work at a museum and am looking for fun, interactive ideas for out Holiday-themed weekend. I’m interested in making fake snow (it looks so fun!) But I’d like to know, how messy is this activity? Does the snow tend to get everywhere, even when you;re being careful?
Laura says
Hi Emily! I think this would be a GREAT activity to do at the museum. I don’t remember it being very messy at all. The snow sticks together when you press it in your hands, like real snow. What I did to contain it is to make the snow in a medium sized plastic storage container with a lid. That way the snow was all contained and didn’t get everywhere and the kids could still dig their hands into it and play. Then when we were done I put the lid right over it and saved it for another day of play. Good luck! I’m in California too, and this is definitely a fun activity for the kiddos who aren’t used to snow. It’s naturally cold and feels like snow, and even smells fresh and clean if you get the right smelling shaving cream. 😉
Courtney Millsap says
Hi Laura, I am wanting to do this activity in my kindergarten classroom and wanted to know how long it would last? If I make it on Thursday night, would it work for Friday morning?
Laura says
Yes, it would be just fine the next day Courtney! Your kindergartners will LOVE this. I used to teach kindergarten too! 😉
Sofia Lyford-Pike says
Good idea I’m gonna do it for the science fair
Laura says
What a great idea! Hope it went well. My kids and I love making this “snow” and you sure can’t beat the scent, too. 😉
Caitlyn says
Hi Laura I’m going to try and make snow for my science project Im just wondering how long it lasts.
Thanks!
Laura says
Hi Caitlyn, great idea! The snow should last for a couple days but it is fluffier and has a better texture the fresher that it is. Hope that helps!
SaNdy says
Will the snow last in Florida outside, how long? How do I clean it up? Will it blow around or is it to heavy? Thinking of making a large snow globe for Christmas decoration
Laura says
This recipe doesn’t make a huge amount of snow, so it might not be the best choice to use outside as a decoration. I’d say it lasts for a few days in a covered container, but it’s more to make and play with than to use for large scale decorating. It’s still pretty fun though!
P Jobes says
Hi – I’m looking at fake snow for a costume. If I use this mixture on clothing – specifically wool, cotton, or, silk, will it destroy the clothing? Thank you
Laura says
Hi there, I don’t think this would work well on a costume. It’s powdery and I don’t think it would stick on clothing at all. Sorry about that!