Here’s one of our favorite winter crafts for kids- creating symmetrical snowflakes! Children will make various snowflakes using common craft materials like cotton swabs and white paper. This snowflake craft would be a great addition to any math lessons on symmetry, patterns, and would be a fun addition to a unit on snowflakes or winter!
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* This post was originally published on January 13, 2014 and has since been updated. This post contains affiliate links.
Winter Crafts for Kids: Create a Symmetrical Snowflake
Every since learning about symmetry during our Finding Symmetry in Nature lesson, Lucy has been a symmetry spotting sleuth! I thought it’d be fun to introduce her to the amazing symmetry found in snowflakes. We checked out the book, The Snowflake by Kenneth Libbrecht, from our local library. We were just taken aback by all the gorgeous designs that can be found in snowflakes.
Seeing all the amazing photographs inspired us to create some symmetrical snowflake art!
Setting Up the Snowflake Craft
I started by cutting some black construction papers into perfect squares. We cut out squares from sheets of 9 x 12 inch construction paper, but if you have 12 x 18 inch, that would allow for even larger designs!
Since Lucy and I discovered by reading our library book that all snowflakes have six sides, I cut out some hexagons and glued one in the center of each black square. (Having a starting point with six sides really helps with creating rotationally symmetric designs.) You can print out your own sheet of hexagons using the link below:
Free Hexagon Printable
Next I gathered up as many white and silver crafting supplies from around the house as I could find. I ended up using white pompoms (you could also use cottonballs), cotton swabs (both regular length and some cut in half), silver doilies cut into various shapes, and silver twist ties I found in a box of garbage bags. I also used a paper punch to cut our some hearts and stars from various scraps of paper.
I placed all the crafting supplies in a tray on the table, along with some glue.
We were ready to begin! We started by gluing 6 of the same objects around the hexagon and worked out from there.
Lucy made quite a few snowflakes, but this was her favorite!
Tips:
- When creating a layer of the snowflake, it helped to first place the crafting items on the paper to make sure they fit before gluing.
- Don’t leave out the toddlers! Although Theo isn’t quite ready to create symmetrical snowflakes, he had a blast creating his snowy own art!
More Winter Play Days
We’ll be back Thursday with our final contribution to the winter play series. In the meantime, be sure to check out all the creative winter play ideas from the other participating blogs!
So long, Snowman. Make a Snow Horse Instead! From Nothing if Not Intentional
Snowy Pinecones Kids Craft from My Nearest and Dearest
Pretend Snow Sensory Play with Trains from Play Trains!
Sparkly Snowflake Winter Play Dough from Fantastic Fun and Learning
Winter Fine Motor Play with Styrofoam “Snowballs” from Fun-A-Day!
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Finding Symmetry in Nature (Outdoor Math Activity for Kids)
Simple Machine Science: Launching Ping Pong Balls with a Lever
Hanging Citrus Fruit Paper Craft for Kids
Symmetry Christmas Tree Art Project for Kids
Ann @ My Nearest and Dearest says
January 14, 2014 at 6:42 amChelsey, what an amazing activity!! I remember your finding symmetry in nature post. I loved that one and what a fun way this is to build on Lucy’s understanding of symmetry. And that book looks beautiful! I’ll have to look for that one next time we’re at the library (or maybe I’ll buy it!).
Mary Catherine says
January 14, 2014 at 5:27 pmThese are absolutely awesome, Chelsey! I cannot wait to try them out in preschool later on this month. 🙂
Alison at NOVA Frugal Family says
January 15, 2014 at 8:13 amWe made a snowman plate and did some other activities but I have a snowman toilet paper craft that we are going to do this weekend and one with cotton balls. I might have to switch to this one because it looks fun!! We read a different snow book so I will have to look up this one 🙂
Rachael at Nothing if Not Intentional says
January 17, 2014 at 8:46 pmI love how you included Theo too! Very cool for both of them!
TheBargainBabe says
January 18, 2014 at 4:57 pmWhat a great idea, the white really pops on the black backgrounds. Visiting from I Can Teach My Child linky. 🙂
Tiffiny says
November 25, 2014 at 2:23 pmThere are so many learning opportunities in your project and it ends with a beautiful end product. Love it! Pinning.
Jennifer says
December 1, 2014 at 11:26 amWhat a beautiful invitation! We’ve been having so much fun exploring winter provocations and crafts — even if the weather doesn’t know what it’s doing. We’ll have to try this 😉