Use white paint and straws to create blizzard scenes with your class. Start the project with a discussion about drifting and blowing snow. Allow the students to give answers as to why drifts occur. All answers are acceptable in this early learning phase. Use medium blue paper and allow the children to dip straws into white non-toxic paint and blow it. As they blow the paint, "drifts" will appear, just as with blowing snow. The level of coverage of paint is up to the student. Some may fill their paper while others may only blow a few lines. All creative notions are acceptable and worthy of praise if attempted.
When it's not possible to make real snowballs outside, let the class make mock ones inside. Use a small blow-up balloon to roll in a glue and water mixture. Roll the coated balloon in small bits of white yarn until it is almost covered. When the project is dry, the balloon can be popped and the student is left with a snowball that will not melt. Choose round-shaped balloons for best results. Re-dip the project in the glue mixture if yarn is not adhering. Assist the students in covering the balloon as much as possible. Try thick white string or thin lace strips as an alternative to the yarn. Mix the mediums for a more complex appearance. Projects thinly lined with yarn or string will be fragile and easily broken.
Cut-out snowflakes are a classic art project to attempt with your preschoolers. According to the maturity level, you need to start with a plain sheet of paper, or a piece cut into a circle. Some students are capable of cutting a circle themselves, other will need assistance, and still others will not be able to accomplish this task in a manner that will make the paper usable. Gauge your class carefully. Demonstrate the right way to fold a circle in half tree times. Create samples of successful snowflakes for display and demonstrate triangle cutting from the folded paper. Remind the students that every snowflake is different and that none of the projects in the room should look the same when they are completed.