Create a Snowflake Garland!

What You Need:

• White paper
• Scissors
• Hole puncher
• Ribbon
• Glue
• Glitter
• Paintbrush
• Easel paper (optional, for covering work surface)

What You Do:

1. Start by taking a closer look at snowflakes and their unique qualities by heading out to the library for books about snowflakes or using the Internet to do some research with your child. Not only will he learn more about snowflakes, but he'll also learn that taking the time to research something new is fun!
2. Offer your child a sheet of white paper and scissors. You can fold it in half a couple times and also encourage him to experiment folding and cutting the paper various ways to create a unique snowflake.
3. Invite him to open the snowflake and notice how it's the same on both sides—symmetrical, or if it's asymmetrical and different!
4. Go on a scavenger hunt around the house looking for as many things that he can find that are symmetrical.
5. Now he can make several more snowflakes to create his garland of all different shapes and sizes!
6. Once your child has a big collection of snowflakes he can select his favorites to use for creating the special garland. About 8 to 10 snowflakes will make a good 6-foot garland.
7. Help your child cover the work area with a large sheet of easel paper and then offer him watered-down glue and a paintbrush to gently coat one side of the snowflakes. He can then sprinkle the snowflakes with glitter and let dry.
8. Now your child can punch a hole in each snowflake close to an edge and then thread the snowflakes with a long length of silver ribbon. He can gently tie a knot after adding each snowflake to hold them in place on the garland.
9. Hang the garland along the mantle or around a doorway for others to enjoy!

Real snow flakes are so small we hardly to get to notice them all clumped together collected on the ground and in the cold, but on a garland made of paper the snowflakes from your child's creativity will warm the spot its hanging from.