How to Make Baking Soda Snow

Download Article
Download Article

Did your family miss out on a white Christmas this year? Are you having an unseasonably warm winter? Or do you live in the tropics and covet the chance to play in snow? This can be easily remedied by making fake snow with baking soda! There are a number of common household items you can use as your wet ingredient, so just use whatever’s handy or make a test batch of each recipe to find your favorite. Then entertain the kids with a fun science project that can be used in a variety of ways.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Choosing Recipes

Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2d\/Make-Baking-Soda-Snow-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Baking-Soda-Snow-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2d\/Make-Baking-Soda-Snow-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid8354604-v4-728px-Make-Baking-Soda-Snow-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Baking soda snow is made from common household ingredients. Chances are that you can whip some up using each recipe without having to run to the store. So create a small test batch of each if you’re so inclined. Find out which is most pleasing to the eye, touch, or both before buying in bulk.
    • Even if you decide to go with only one recipe right away, start with a small batch. Snow comes in all sorts of consistencies, from dry and powdery to wet and mushy, so there’s no precise measurements that you need to follow. Start small so you can figure out the ratio of baking soda to other ingredients that works best for you personally.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Baking Soda Snow
    Add 1 cup (221 g) of baking soda to a mixing bowl or similar container. Then spray shaving foam from a can into the bowl. Start with just a little squirt, then knead the 2 ingredients together. Keep adding additional squirts of shaving foam until your snow reaches your desired texture. [1]
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Baking Soda Snow
    Add 1 cup (221 g) of baking soda to a mixing bowl or similar container. Then add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of white hair conditioner. Stir or knead to combine the ingredients. Continue to add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of conditioner at a time, until the mixture forms the consistency that you’re aiming for. [2]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Baking Soda Snow
    Start with 1 cup (221 g) of baking soda in a mixing bowl and then pour 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of water into it. Stir it in with a fork, then add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of water and stir again. Continue in this fashion until the snow reaches a consistency that you like. [3]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Baking Soda Snow
    Whatever recipe you follow, consider giving it some extra flair. Stir in some silver, blue, or purple glitter (or a combination) to make your snow sparkle. Add a few drops of scented essential oils to fill the air with pleasant smells. [4]
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using Your Snow for Fun-Filled Activities

Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Baking Soda Snow
    Half the fun of baking soda snow is getting your hands “dirty.” If this is a group activity for kids, let each make their own batch. Give the kids the thrill of making a mess with ingredients that are actually cleaners. [5]
    • At the same time, keep a close eye on young children who have a habit of putting things in their mouths. Instruct all young children not to consume it.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Baking Soda Snow
    With each jar, rub a glue stick (or white school glue from a bottle) over the inside of the jar’s lid. Press the bottom of whatever elements you’re adding (like a Santa, sleigh, or an evergreen figurine) into the glue until it’s firmly in place. Then dust the rest of the lid with your fake snow and screw the jar on upside-down. [6]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Baking Soda Snow
    Be sure to add enough liquid ingredient to your batch so that your snow is easily molded without crumbling. Then simply ball some up to form a snowman as you would with real snow. Or, break out the sand toys from your last beach trip to make snow castles instead of sand castles. [7]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Baking Soda Snow
    Make enough snow to cover a wide area like a tabletop. Then invite the kids to break out their favorite action figures and dolls for a wintry blast. Let the Barbies go skiing, reenact the Battle of Hoth with Star Wars figures, or do whatever else their imagination comes up with. [8]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Baking Soda Snow
    Adding vinegar to baking soda causes a perfectly safe chemical reaction that makes the baking soda erupt into fizz, much like the Mentos-and-soda trick. Amuse the kids by giving them a bowl of vinegar to drop their snowballs into. For some twisted Bond-villain fun, make snowmen, inject them with a dropper filled with vinegar, and cackle evilly as they melt from the inside out. [9]
    6. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Keeping Safe and Clean

Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Baking Soda Snow
    The older they are, the less of a concern this is. However, with young kids, stick around and oversee their science project and playtime in case they’re tempted to make snowballs. This might seem to them like an obvious way to have fun with fake snow, but keep in mind that baking soda is pretty abrasive in large amounts and not something you want to get in your eye. It’s not the end of the world if it does, but stinging eyes might be the end of fun time. [10]
    • Baking soda snow isn’t advisable for very young kids who still have a habit of putting things in their mouths, especially if you’re using shaving cream or hair conditioner as a wet ingredient.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Baking Soda Snow
    Cover the table, floor, or wherever you’re making fake snow with a bedsheet, towel, or similar material. Once playtime is over, simply bundle it up by its corners, shake it over the bathtub, and rinse the fake snow down the drain. Then vacuum the floor where any of it may have spilled off the sheet. [11]
    • With the exception of shaving foam, all of them are commonly used as cleaners, so there’s really no stress if a big mess was made.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/46\/Make-Baking-Soda-Snow-Step-13-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Baking-Soda-Snow-Step-13-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/46\/Make-Baking-Soda-Snow-Step-13-Version-2.jpg\/aid8354604-v4-728px-Make-Baking-Soda-Snow-Step-13-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    To make clean-up even less of a concern, take your project outside as long as the weather is clear. Avoid doing so on wet or windy days, since moisture and strong winds will dissolve and scatter your snow. Otherwise, do the same activities as you would inside, or even decorate bushes, patio furniture, or other outside fixtures with freshly fallen snow.
    4. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How long does the fake snow last?
    Community Answer
    Fake snow last for 7 - 10 days if left uncovered and spread out thinly. This also varies depending on the humidity of area.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 15
  • Question
    Can this be added into slime?
    Community Answer
    Yes, if you add snow into the slime it will make cloud slime. Cloud slime has a very stringy texture and is fluffy and soft; it kind of feels like kinectic sand.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 9
  • Question
    If I use baking soda snow in cloud slime, will it work as well as store bought instant snow?
    Community Answer
    No, baking soda will over-activate the slime, making it harder and not as stretchy.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 5
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Use fresh baking soda to make snow, as baking soda absorbs moisture and odor and turns yellow over time.
        Thanks
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Things You’ll Need

      • Mixing bowl(s) or similar containers
      • Measuring cups and spoons
      • Spoon or fork for stirring
      • Bedsheet, towel, or other protective covering
      • Baking soda
      • Shaving foam, hair conditioner, or water

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Make a Volcano
      How to
      Create a Potato Battery
      How to
      Grow Bacteria in a Petri Dish
      How to
      Make a Tornado in a Bottle
      How to
      Make a Steam Engine
      How to
      Test for COâ‚‚
      How to
      Make a Soda Bottle Volcano
      How to
      Make a Water Bottle Cap Pop off with Air Pressure
      How to
      Make a Volcano out of Mentos and Soda
      How to
      Adapt a Mousetrap Car for Speed
      How to
      Make a Windsock for Children
      How to
      Make Hydrogen (Science Experiment)
      How to
      Conduct the Squeaky Pop Experiment
      How to
      Create a Battery from a Lemon
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.kidsplayandcreate.com/pretend-fake-snow-recipes-for-kids/
      2. ↑ https://www.kidsplayandcreate.com/pretend-fake-snow-recipes-for-kids/
      3. ↑ http://pureella.com/how-to-make-artificial-snow-3-quick-easy-eco-friendly-recipes/
      4. ↑ http://www.raisinglifelonglearners.com/snow-dough-science/
      5. ↑ http://playtivities.com/how-to-make-snow/
      6. ↑ http://pureella.com/how-to-make-artificial-snow-3-quick-easy-eco-friendly-recipes/
      7. ↑ http://playtivities.com/how-to-make-snow/
      8. ↑ http://www.raisinglifelonglearners.com/snow-dough-science/
      9. ↑ http://www.raisinglifelonglearners.com/snow-dough-science/
      1. ↑ http://playtivities.com/how-to-make-snow/
      2. ↑ http://playtivities.com/how-to-make-snow/

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 96,795 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement