Snowflake Facts for Kids
Have you ever seen a snowflake or caught one on your tongue? Snowflakes are fascinating, fun, and beautiful parts of nature. But what exactly are snowflakes and how do they form? Find out by reading the blog post below.
WHAT ARE SNOWFLAKES?
Snowflakes are a form of precipitation that usually fall during the winter months. They are made up of tiny crystals of ice that fuse together to make beautiful patterns and designs.
Every snowflake is unique. There are no two identical snowflakes. Take a look at all the different snowflakes the next time it snows and make sure you keep reading to learn all about the amazing snowflakes. From how they form, to their size, shape, and color, I promise you won’t be disappointed by all the beauty these unique snowflakes have.
If you have free time take a magnifying glass outside. Let the snowflakes fall on a dark-colored paper and examine them. It is amazing how unique and beautiful they are!
HOW DO SNOWFLAKES FORM?
Snow forms when water droplets freeze in the sky. The water molecules turn into tiny ice crystals that combine together to form a columnar crystal. These columnar crystals then become what we know as snowflakes.
Snowflakes fall from the sky when there is cold weather and lower temperatures. Usually, the temperature has to be below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius) for the snowflakes to form.
Snowflakes can be different shapes, such as hexagons, octagons, or pentagons. The shape of a snowflake depends on the temperature and humidity when it forms.
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SNOWFLAKE FACTS FOR KIDS – THE SIZE OF SNOWFLAKES
The smallest snowflakes can be as small as one millimeter wide while the larger snowflakes can be as much as six inches wide. Some of the largest snowflakes are made up of little snowflakes lightly clinging together.
The largest single snowflake ever recorded in the Guinness Book of World Record was 15 inches wide! The snowflake was found in the United States in Fort Keogh, Montana.
WHAT COLOR ARE SNOWFLAKES EXACTLY?
Don’t be fooled! Snowflakes are not as simple as they may seem. Snowflakes are made up of water, but they are not pure water. Snowflakes contain impurities that give them their white color.
A variety of factors can lead to opaque ice particles including the air temperature at which snowflakes form and the humidity present in the cold air at the time of formation.
SNOWFLAKE FACTS FOR KIDS – THE SPEED OF SNOW
Snowflakes usually fall at a speed of two to four miles per hour. The faster a snowflake falls, the lower visibility there will be in the sky. Have you ever looked out during a snowstorm and felt like you couldn’t see anything? That’s because there were so many snowflakes falling in a short time.
WHERE CAN YOU FIND SNOWFLAKES?
In the winter, snowflakes can be found in most parts of the world. They are most commonly found in Antarctica and the South Pole. Check out the top of the mountains too! They often have snow at the top since there are cooler temperatures at higher altitudes.
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WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A SNOWFLAKE LANDS?
When snowflakes land, they can accumulate on the ground creating fluffy snow. Heavy snowfall can cause very deep snow on the ground. Many young children love playing in the deeper snow. Do you?
Snowflakes can last for several hours or even days before they melt. Be careful, though, snowflakes that land on a warm surface will melt faster, so make sure you get those snowball fights in before it’s too late. Did you know the largest snowball fight occurred in 2016 in Saskatoon, Canada? Can you guess how many people participated? There were 7,681 participants all throwing snowballs at each other. Could you imagine that? Snowballs being thrown at you from every direction. Ouch!
HOW TO HAVE FUN IN THE SNOW
Would you like to participate in a snowball fight that large? Not me! It’s okay, though. There are so many other ways to have fun in the snow. You can build snow tunnels, snowmen, or even snowwomen. Don’t forget to add the face and the arms!
No matter how you like to play in the snow, snow can be fun for everyone! Maybe not during a heavy snowfall, though. Let’s hope the next time the snow falls, it falls slow enough so we can admire the beauty of the snowflakes and still have fun in the snow once all the snowflakes land. Happy snowing! Read more about winter activities for kids here.
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