Snowflakes are beautiful AND mathematical! Explore both aspects of these natural wonders in this month’s Grab and Go craft! Pick up a kit at our outdoor Creation Station or in the Youth Services Department, while supplies last.
Did you know that snowflakes always have 6 sides? Water molecules bond together and create a hexagon shape to form the beautiful snowflakes that fall from the sky.
Snowflakes are often, but not always, symmetrical. Symmetry means that the two sides of a shape, around a central dividing line, are the same. There are multiple lines of symmetry in the snowflake below; you can see some lines of symmetry below. When you’re creating your snowflake, you can choose whether or not to make it symmetrical!
Supplies:
- 1 black square of construction paper
- 6 cotton swab halves or silver twist tie pieces
- 6 pom poms
- Various silver doily pieces and/or silver twist tie pieces (your pieces may vary from what’s shown)
Needed from home: glue or glue stick
Instructions:
1. Fold your piece of paper in half side to side. Open it back up.
2. Fold your paper in half from corner to corner two times to form an X. Open it back up. You should now have six lines radiating from the center point.
3. Lay your pieces as you like on the lines of the black paper. Glue the pieces down to the paper once you’re happy with your design.
4. Remember, your snowflake can be symmetrical, but it doesn’t have to be!
5. We’d love to see your creation! Email a picture to youthservices@deerfieldlibrary.org.
Are you interested in reading more about snowflakes? Be sure to check out these books!
The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter’s Wonder by Mark Cassino
A Big Bed for Little Snow by Grace Lin
Best in Snow by April Pulley Sayre
Waiting for Winter by Sebastian Meschenmoser
