Easy Winter Activities for Preschoolers: Fake Sensory Snow with Just 2 Ingredients
If you’re looking for easy winter activities for preschoolers that are simple to set up, use things you already have at home, and keep little hands busy for more than five minutes, this fake sensory snow is a must-try.
We made this on a cold winter day when getting outside just wasn’t possible for more than 20-30 minutes, and it turned into one of those activities my kids asked to do again the very next day. It’s low-prep, budget-friendly, and perfect for sensory seekers — or honestly, any preschooler or kid who loves to touch, scoop, squeeze, and pretend. My boys are 4 and 6 and both LOVED it!
Why Fake Sensory Snow Is One of the Best Easy Winter Activities for Preschoolers
Winter days can feel long, especially when you’re stuck inside more than usual. That’s why I’m always looking for easy winter activities for preschoolers that don’t require a ton of prep or planning but still feel meaningful and fun.
Fake sensory snow is one of those activities that checks all the boxes:
- Only two ingredients
- Takes just minutes to make
- Encourages sensory play and imagination
- Easy to adapt for different ages
- Works great indoors
It’s perfect for homeschooling, quiet time play, or those afternoons when your preschooler needs something engaging while you get a few things done nearby. Keep in mind this could get messy if you’re not watching so I don’t recommend going far if you have messy boys like mine.
What You’ll Need (Just 2 Ingredients!)
You likely already have everything you need in your house.
Ingredients:
- 2–3 cups of baking soda
- ½ cup of white hair conditioner OR shaving cream
That’s it!
I personally used shaving cream, and it worked great texture-wise, but I will say this — the smell still filled my house long after we were done playing. Because of that, I recommend using white hair conditioner instead if you have it. The texture is just as good, without the strong scent. That said, whichever you have on hand will work just fine.
How to Make Fake Sensory Snow
This comes together so quickly, which is one reason I love it so much.
- Add 2–3 cups of baking soda to a large bowl or sensory bin.
- Slowly mix in about ½ cup of conditioner or shaving cream.
- Stir and knead until it starts to look like fluffy snow. (I used my hands to mix it which is why I don’t have any pictures of the mixing process)
- Adjust as needed — add more baking soda if it feels too wet or more conditioner/shaving cream if it feels too dry.
And just like that, you have fake snow ready to play with.
The texture is honestly my favorite part. This fake snow is so soft and squishy, and it stays that way while kids play. It’s the kind of soft, squishy sensory material little hands can’t stop squeezing, packing, and squishing over and over again.
Tools & Accessories (Use What You Have)
We mixed things up by using cookie scoops as our main tools, mostly because my kids had never used them before and I thought they would enjoy using them to make their snowmen. That alone kept them engaged longer.
You can also use:
- Spoons
- Measuring cups
- Ice cream scoops
- Small bowls
- Or just hands (which is usually the favorite)
We also added tiny snowman accessories from a snowman slime kit I bought last year and saved all the little pieces from. Things like mini hats, buttons, and decorations made the pretend play even better. I’ll link that kit here if you want to grab one too — it’s been fun to reuse the accessories again and again.
👉 Grab the snowman slime here!
Even if you have no tools and your littles just use their hands this is still super fun and totally worth making.
How My Kids Played
My kids jumped right in and immediately started scooping, packing, and building. My 4 year old even thanked me several times for making it because he LOVES sensory play. They made snowballs, tiny snowmen, and little winter scenes. My sensory seeker especially loved it — he spent so much time just squeezing it in his hands because it was so soft and squishy, then watching it fall apart and rebuilding it again.
That’s one of the reasons I love this activity so much. It works on so many levels. Some kids focus on sensory input, others lean into imaginative play, and some do a little of both.
My son made a snowman but smashed it before I could get a picture so he called this a melted snowman haha!
Easy Cleanup & Storage Tips
- Use a towel or tray under your sensory bin if mess stresses you out.
- Baking soda cleans up easily with a damp cloth or vacuum.
- You can store the fake snow in an airtight container for a few days if it hasn’t dried out.
More Easy Winter Activities for Preschoolers
If your preschooler loved this fake sensory snow, you’ll definitely want to grab a few more easy winter activities for preschoolers to keep on hand for those long indoor days.
❄️ Free Winter Bingo Cards
One of our favorite go-to indoor activities is Winter Bingo. It’s low-prep, print-and-go, and perfect for quiet afternoons, family game nights, or preschool learning time. The winter-themed pictures make it fun and engaging for little ones, and it’s an easy way to work on visual skills, turn-taking, and focus — without it feeling like “school.”
👉 Click Here to grab the Winter Bingo Cards here.
☃️ Try Our Contact Paper Snowman Activity
If you’re looking for even more indoor winter fun, be sure to check out my Contact Paper Snowman activity. It’s another simple, hands-on winter idea that preschoolers absolutely love. This one is especially great for fine motor practice and creative play, and it pairs perfectly with sensory snow for a full winter-themed day at home.
👉 Click Here to see how to make the Contact Paper Snowman
Final Thoughts
Winter doesn’t have to feel long or overwhelming when you have a few easy winter activities for preschoolers ready to go. With simple sensory play like fake snow, printable games like winter bingo, and hands-on crafts like contact paper snowmen, you can keep your preschooler learning, playing, and happy — all without a ton of prep.
If you try any of these activities, I’d love to hear how they go in your home 💙
