Melting Snow Experiment For Winter STEM

Winter might mean a ton of snow in your area, and if it does then the perfect winter science activities are at your fingertips. This snow science experiment with a melting snowman theme is perfect for exploring in and out of the classroom. There’s nothing better than using the changing seasons to set up fun winter science experiments for kids of all ages.

MELTING SNOWMAN IN THE SNOW EXPERIMENT

Melting Snowman snow science activity for winter science and STEM

WINTER SCIENCE FOR KIDS

The best part of this winter science experiment is that you can use the abundance of snow outside! Now if you don’t have snow where you are, you can still try it with ice cubes!

This indoor winter snow activity combines a winter craft with a fun and easy science experiment. Kids can enjoy decorating a snowman jar or container. Glass jars, clear plastic cups, whatever you want to use.

Then head outdoors to investigate what happens to your container of snow or ice in the snow. How long will it take your snowman to melt?

Kids will love helping with this one because it means a trip outside! Plus, the melting snowman theme is always a hit. We have more snowman activities if you click here.

WHAT STATE OF MATTER IS SNOW?

There are many great science concepts going on in this super simple melting snow activity with a cute snowman theme!

1. First, you can explore states of matter! Water exists in all three states of matter: solids, liquids, and gasses. Snow is a solid, rain is a liquid, and water vapor is a gas.

—> Try this fun Hot Cocoa States of Matter sheet.

2. Also, you can look at density and volume. Snow is matter, and density is the weight something has compared to the volume or space the matter takes up! Snow is less dense than water (same as ice). Snow also floats! Give it a try.

The molecules in the water move closer together as the temperature drops below freezing (32 degrees), and ice crystals form. Ice crystals or snowflakes take up more space than flowing water molecules. Get your kids to see whether there is a greater volume or less in the jar after melting.

—> Check out our free How To Draw A Snowflake activity pack

Is snow melting a physical or chemical change?

3. Once the snow is brought inside or the temperature rises, the snow begins to melt, and those tightly packed molecules become loosely packed molecules in water. Placing the containers in a different location will speed up or slow down the process.

—> Melting snow is a physical change, but reversible since water will become snow or ice again one day!

Click below for your FREE Snow Themed Ideas.

MELTING SNOW EXPERIMENT

Don’t want to decorate a jar, no worries! You can even consider using a zip-top gallon bag! What else can you do with a zip-top bag, make a snowman in a bag sensory activity?

SUPPLIES:

32 Oz. Mason Jar, plastic cups or bags
Black Paint, Sharpies or Markers, Buttons, or Foam Paper
Orange Foam Paper, Felt or Paper
Ribbon for Scarf
Glue (or other adhesive as needed)
12″ Plastic Rulers

HOW TO SET UP YOUR SNOW EXPERIMENT

STEP 1. Decorate your jar to look like a snowman.

Wrap a piece of ribbon around the jar towards the bottom, criss-cross each piece, glue and glue the ends at an angle to look like a scarf.
Cut a small triangle from a piece of orange paper and glue it towards the top front center of the jar.
Use the puffy paint to draw eyes and a mouth by the nose and let dry overnight.

NOTE: Depending on your needs, you could separate this activity into two parts; decorating the jar and conducting the experiment. You could also decorate after going outdoors as well.

making a melting snowman container for snow science activity

STEP 2. Grab some scoops, your jars, jacket, and mittens, and head outside. Note whether the snow is wet and heavy or light and powdery.

STEP 3. Fill up the jar with snow, wipe the outside dry and bring it inside the house.

STEP 4. Place a ruler into the jar and press it down to the bottom.

Let’s add the math part to this melting snow science activity to create excellent winter STEM! Plastic rulers are the best option since you want to leave the rulers in the jar and observe the melting.

STEP 5. Measure the snow… You can set your snowman aside (maybe not right next to a heating vent) and watch what happens over time. Check on it periodically (you can make a specific time check, like every 5 mins or 10 mins) and have the kids jot down the time elapsed and the new measurement. Record the final size as well.

We started with 6in of snow in a 32oz jar and ended with 1” of water in a 32oz jar.

Snow science and STEM with measuring snow

SNOW EXPERIMENT VARIATIONS

Turn this snow science activity into a snow science experiment by changing one variable, the location.

Experiment 1: Which jar of snow will melt faster?

Fill several jars and measure the same amount of snow into each one. Leave a jar outside, put a jar in the fridge and freezer, leave one on the counter, and put one by the heater. Let your kids decide locations and have them make predictions as to which will melt the fastest! Record measurements for each along the way.

Experiment 2: What type of snow melts faster?

You can also set up another type of experiment with different types of snow. As I mentioned above, note the kind of snow you collected. Is it wet and heavy snow (better for snowballs). Or is it dry and powdery snow (not so great for snowballs). If possible, try this snow science activity on another day with the different types of snow and note the difference in measurements!