Snow painting is a quick seasonal craft activity appropriate for all ages. All you will need are some washable tempera paints, a few containers that will squirt or spray water, and a great snowstorm. (Other kinds of paint, pre-mixed soda such as Kool-Aid, and even food coloring will also work, but could stain clothing permanently, so use wisdom.)
We used some small paint bottles we keep on hand for tie-dying activities, but you could use ketchup and mustard containers, empty shampoo bottles, the spray bottle you keep on hand for misting plants, or any other container that will hold and then dispense colored water. Snow painting isn’t an exact science. Proportions aren’t too critical. You’re just going for colorful liquid that you can squeeze onto the bright white canvas of snow outside. I added about 1 Tablespoon of acrylic paint into a 6-ounce jar and filled it to the top with cool water.
We had the advantage of a sunny winter day with nice warm outside temperatures, so we bundled up in snow pants and a warm hat and I replaced my granddaughter’s winter coat with a kitchen apron to help prevent getting paint on her clothing. Her boots were waterproof and washable, which helped me stress less about how accurate her aim was. I expected this activity to last only 2-3 minutes, but it occupied our attention for almost half an hour, so we were grateful for the mild temperatures.
This snow painting activity is so easy to prepare and so adaptable that I think it would be fun for kids of all ages. Older kids might have fun creating a snow sculpture first and then misting on color with a spray bottle. We tried to stay in grassy areas so that the paint wouldn’t transfer to sidewalks or concrete once the snow melts. If you want to be especially environmentally conscious, or plan to broadcast a lot of color in a sensitive area, choose the type of paint wisely.
Other Snow Painting Ideas:
One source of inspiration for this activity came from a community member, Jerry Gardner, who is known for his spectacular snow creations that show up on the curb at his property any time we get a good snowstorm and freezing temperatures. Jerry uses spray paint to add color to his snow sculptures and a square shovel to pile snow and sculpt the details.
A professional artist by trade, Mr. Gardner delights the kids and adults alike in his neighborhood who wait in anticipation every time it snows to see what he’ll create next.
It’s also possible to create really fun snow art with brushes and paint. You’ll just need some thick tempera paints in assorted colors and a few brushes for painting right onto the snow. If temperatures outside are too cold, consider bringing a large tub full of snow indoors.
