- Programs
Monthly STEAM Challenge
This month’s activity: Marshmallow Snowflakes
For full instructions, visuals, etc., visit here: https://frugalfun4boys.com/marshmallow-snowflakes-winter-stem-activity/
Materials:
- Large marshmallows
- Mini marshmallows
- Toothpicks
Instructions
1. Put the marshmallows in bowls so that we didn’t blow through ALL of them at once! Try to stick to usiong only one large marshmallow per snowflake. Otherwise, the kids will use up the large marshmallows quickly!
2. We did this project right on our dining table. Yes, it got a little sticky, but it wiped up easily. **Toothpicks can be broken in half for more design possibilities!
For real snowflake science, visit here: https://snowflakebentley.com/
What are you learning?
- Experimenting with different building materials, such as marshmallows and toothpicks, strengthens fine motor skills for young kids. They’ll quickly realize that they need to poke the toothpick through the center of the marshmallow, or it won’t hold up!
- This activity allows kids to explore what sorts of shapes make stronger structures. For example, adding a hexagon of toothpicks around the center of the snowflake makes it significantly stronger!
- Math is involved in planning the spacing of the toothpicks so that they make 6 equal points. How many degrees should there be between each toothpick?
- On a simpler level, if there are 6 points and you want 2 mini marshmallows on each point, how many will you need?
- What happens to the shape of the snowflake if you break the toothpicks into shorter pieces, but they are not all the same length?
Read all about “Animals in Winter”!
Featured book: Animals in Winter
In this picture book, kids will learn how animals cope with winter, including migration, hibernation, and food storage.
Find it in the Kid’s Picture Books in the “Nature” bin.