Make Fake Snow

There are many ways to simulate snow. There is fake snow like you would throw against the side of a mountain for skiing. Then there is fake snow like you use to decorate a tree or your windows. There is fake snow that gently falls from the sky for your holiday pageant. Then there is fake snow for people who can't have real snow, but still want to make snowmen and snow angels and have snowball fights. That is the kind of snow that interests me.

You can make fake snow that is wet and cold, looks like snow, and acts a lot like snow, except it won't melt. All you need is sodium polyacrylate and water. What is sodium polyacrylate? Where can you get it? It's a non-toxic polymer. You can get it at any grocery store or any garden supply store. It is the white stuff inside of disposable diapers. It is sold as powder or granules for you to hydrate for growing plants or to add as a soil conditioner. The white powder makes the fluffiest snow. Granules make slushy snow.

Making and playing with fake snow is a great activity for people who miss the real thing. What you want to do is make up a batch and put it in the freezer. For snow angels, spread your snow on the kitchen floor (or you can use astroturf). Assume the angel-making position, and enjoy! You can sweep up snow, or even shovel it, if you're into that (I don't miss that part of winter). Snowballs work like real snowballs. You may want to just refrigerate the fake snow for that, since a snowball fight is different from an ice chunk fight. Make snow now or you can just buy it...

Answers to Common Questions about Snow | Snow on Venus
Photo: Polymer snow looks a lot like real snow, except you don't need mittens or a coat. Rosie Greenway/Getty Images