Thursday, January 20, 2011

365 Days With Kiddos - #25 - Make A Snowman (or Woman)

January 18th was World Day of Snowmen. The funny thing is that I almost wrote this post on the 18th and it was only today that I found out this tidbit of information while reading about a photographer in Ottawa who is having an exhibition of images of snowmen called Melting.

Making snowmen is something that can only be done when the snow is just right (wet enough to stick together). There can be snow all winter and only a few time when it is perfect for making snowmen. Here in the Canadian Rockies we had one good day in September (which is when these photos were taken) and one just the other day. We seize the opportunity to make snowmen whenever we can as do others we know. I bumped into one mom and her kids at the grocery store the other day and they told me they were buying some "snowman making supplies"...

Kids enjoy making snowmen, especially when there are no rules and they can be creative. There is a classic formula for what is needed for a snowman but I think mixing it up is the best way to go. One of our favorite snowman books is called Sadie and the Snowman. "Sadie can't believe it! For a whole winter, she builds and rebuilds a snowman who becomes her very special friend, but it always melts. At the end of the winter, she manages to save just a little bit of her snowman for next year." If you would like some lesson plans for this book just Google the title.

I hope this post inspires you to make a snowman this winter. The next time the snow is sticky and you think, "hmmmm, this is perfect snow for making a snowman!" grab your kiddos and let your imagination run wild.