Snow. From snowballs to snow people, snow gives us many great ways to have winter fun. But do you know the science behind what makes snow?
It's actually part of the water cycle. Like rain, it starts in the clouds where water vapor gathers. But then the colder temperatures form the water into snow crystals rather than plain rain. As the snow crystals make their way to the ground, they pick up particles in the air like wood-burning stove pollution, plant bacteria, dirt, and more, which makes the snow crystals larger. Still falling, the snow crystals pick up other snow crystals and THAT is what lands on the ground, many crystals together.
It takes a lot of reading to get all that science into my mind. I really enjoyed The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder by Mark Cassino, a nature photographer, with Jon Nelson, PhD, a physicist who studies ice crystals. Follow this link to our library catalog where you can borrow YPL’s copy or the eBook!
There’s also this website, Quick Facts About Snow | National Snow and Ice Data Center, which answers so many wonderful questions about snow. Did you know snowflakes are always six sided because of the way water bonds, but no two are alike? However, there are dozens of types of six-sided snowflakes. This website also answers other questions including: Why is snow important? Is it safe to eat snow? What color is snow?
However, there’s more to snow than just science! I also enjoy these children’s books available through YPL!
Snow by Cynthia Rylant
Snow by Marion Dane Bauer
Snowballs by Lois Ehlert
Snowflakes fall by Patricia MacLachlan
Let’s not forget how much fun it is to play in the snow. Science and fun meet with great activities like these: Make Crystal Snowflakes with Borax - The Homeschool Scientist, Snowflake Science with Printable - The Homeschool Scientist, and Snow Activities For Kids - Little Bins for Little Hands. On your next snow day, try some fun ideas like:
Build a Snowman: A classic activity that never gets old! Grab a carrot for a nose, twigs for arms, and a scarf for a cozy touch. You can even add a flag to personalize your snowman.
Snowball Fight: Challenge friends or family to a thrilling snowball fight! It’s a great way to stay active on a snowy day and create lasting memories.
Snow Forts and Igloos: Unleash your inner architect by constructing snow forts or even an igloo. These are perfect for pretend play or just relaxing with a blanket inside.
Painting the Snow: Use squirt bottles filled with water and food coloring to paint beautiful designs in the snow. It’s a creative way to brighten up your backyard or driveway!
At Crestwood Library, we’ll be making our own “snow” on Saturday, January 11 and doing Salt Painting Snowflakes on Saturday, January 18 at 10:30 in our weekly Full STEAM Ahead Storytime! And having fun with Winter stories in Rhyme Time with Nancy on Wednesdays, January 15 and 22 at 9:30 and 10:30 each week. Check out the online calendar here for all the YPL winter programs for all ages that will make you glad you came in from the cold!
Snow Days are also the perfect reason to stay in, stay warm, and read! From now until March 15, sign up for our Winter Reading WarmUp Challenge on Beanstack or in person at any library branch. Track all the books you read and win some amazing prizes all winter long!
Nancy Wissman is a part-time Children’s Librarian at Crestwood Library. She loves the snow, especially skiing, sledding, snow people making, and avoiding her children’s snow fights. She is especially excited about bringing science to Crestwood with the Full STEAM Ahead storytime, which combines her love of story reading and storytelling with her new passion for science. Nancy has been a librarian for over 30 years, working in several libraries in different library departments, but most enjoys connecting children with literacy.