DIY Snow Inspired by PBS KIDS’ Hero Elementary

This post is a collaboration with Hero Elementary, a PBS KIDS show that Lila has enjoyed watching since its premier. We are so excited for this partnership. All opinions are my own.

This Texas weather has us holed up indoors even more than we already have been. On warm days (yes, it still gets warm in January) Daniel and I take full advantage and go on long walks with Lila, the boys, and Osa. Some days it’s just too chilly or rainy, so we stay indoors and do crafts, chase the twins around, and Lila gets some screen time. We definitely stay on top of what she is allowed to watch, but one of the shows she loves (and we love that she loves) is Hero Elementary. It’s about Super Students (Sparks’ Crew) that problem solve with the use of science. Obviously, as a family of educators, Daniel and I support this programming whole heartedly. And
it doesn’t hurt that there is some Spanish sprinkled in here and there. What whaaaat.

After Lila watches an episode of Hero Elementary (usually on the PBS KIDS video app) she puts her hand to her chin a lot and starts using her “Superpowers of Science” to problem solve. Everyone has a superpower, and even though everyone’s strength is different, it is important to recognize the value of every individual’s superpower in helping save the day! She will start asking a lot of questions and using “what if” statements to answer them herself. It’s incredibly adorable and makes me so proud of her little brain.

Hero Elementary recently premiered a week of brand new episodes. A couple of the shows had to do with the weather and winter/snow. Because snow is so rare in Houston, I thought it might be fun to do a snowy activity with Lila and then we could talk about characteristics of snow, and why we don’t usually get to experience it down south. She has been in snow a couple times when we’ve traveled but was too young to remember.

Ingredients for fake snow:
1 cup cornstarch
1 can of shaving cream

(The proportion is simple enough to double, triple, quadruple the recipe!)

The shaving cream scent is pretty strong, but I like that smell. 🙂 If you aren’t fond of shaving cream, I saw another recipe that used baking soda and white conditioner.

At first your hands get pretty sticky mixing everything up, but eventually the cornstarch makes the shaving cream into a malleable flour-like consistency. When I mentioned the “consistency” to Lila she later tried using it in a sentence and ended up with something like “confishincy.” I
applauded her attempt and corrected her, while making a mental note to share this cute interaction with Daniel later.

This is a good example as to why we try to stay on top of what she watches at home – information will stick. Hero Elementary ensures that bits and pieces of scientific principles and life lessons stick in her brain. And often times it’s information she will whip out again.

I encourage you to check out Hero Elementary with your kiddo(s) on PBS KIDS. Check your local
listings for times or watch anytime on PBSKIDS.org or on the PBS KIDS video app! And let me know what Superpowers of Science they pick up!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hero Elementary.