The Snowy Day Activities

Our book for today was The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.  If you haven't read this book, you are missing out! The story is over 50 years old, but so relatable for any child who has ever played in the snow. The pictures are beautiful, bright paper cuts and it was revolutionary at the time for having an African American lead character and an urban setting.  It's the story of a little boy, Peter, who wakes up to find lots of perfect snow to play in. That's all I'll say about it because my daughter just kept saying, "I love this story!" 

Don't forget to point out the Caldecott Award!

So, using this book as our inspiration, I came up with 2 activities (one requires it to actually be a snowy day where you are- not a problem for us in the Northeast right now- and one that doesn't). 

Activity #1: Snowy Tracks

What You'll Need:

• A baking tray
• Snow
• Markers (I used Bingo Dabbers and they worked quite well- you can get them at the dollar store)
• Plastic Toys with a variety of "footprints"
• Wipes or paper towels for clean-up

Our toys and markers

Tray full of snow and a helper

Procedure:

1. Re-show the picture from the book where Peter makes different tracks.  Tell kiddo that we are going to make our own tracks with toys.
2. Take your easily-cleanable toys and color the bottom. You'll want pretty complete coverage.
3. Gently "walk" the toys on top of the snow (like you're doing stamps)
4. Try different colors and different toys until your snow is full of "footprints."
5. Sit back, admire your work, or try to guess who's feet go to which prints.
6. Explain how lots of things make tracks in the snow and be on the look out for tracks they next time you are outside exploring.

Coloring on the feet

Walking

Admiring

Activity #2: Ice Excavation

The Ice Excavation Project

*This activity takes a bit more planning (the items will need to spend the night in the freezer or outside, if it's cold enough). I chose this activity to go along with the part of the book that has Peter's snowball melting in his coat pocket when he brings it inside his warm apartment:

Peter discovering his snowball has melted

What You'll Need:

• Tupperware containers (as many as you'd like)
• Water (I used a few drops of food coloring in each, but you don't need to)
• Lots of little trinkets to be excavated (think plastic animals, shells, marbles, Lego's, etc.)
• Baking tray to contain water mess
• Squirt bottle
• Warm Water

Procedure: 

1. Fill tupperware containers with water and place toys inside. Place in freezer overnight.
2. The next day, run the tupperware under warm running water to free from the containers.
3. Place frozen toys on the tray and fill your squirt bottle with warm water (the warmer the water the faster it will go).
4. Remind kiddo of the part where Peter finds the snowball has melted. Ask why they think it melted in the warm apartment.
5. Ask what they think will happen if they squirt warm water on the cold ice.
6. Squirt warm water on ice blocks and attempt to free the toys inside!

Squirting the ice blocks

The toys are free!

My daughter had so much fun with this one and when the activity was over, she asked if we could do it again! She was engaged for a good 45 mins. on this one.  

Have fun!