Last week the first snowflakes of the season fell. I always find that there is something magical about the first snowflakes. As I walked along the sidewalk, on my way to pick up my girls from school, I thought about how much I love snowflakes. Have you ever seen something more beautiful than a snowflake? It may sound strange, but when the snow falls I often take the time to stop and examine as many snowflakes as I can. An individual snowflake will sit still on my coat sleeve...an amazing moment. When I shared how much I love snowflakes with my daughters, they thought I was going a little bit overboard. Which got me thinking. How could I help my daughters understand why I find snowflakes so fascinating? My daughters love playing in the snow...but I wanted them to appreciate snow. Well, my question was answered with an episode of The Nature Of Things that aired last week...all about snowflakes. I kid you not! I had this conversation with my girls and then BAM! an entire episode of our favourite natural science program about snowflakes.
We watched and learned about snowflakes. We learned about photographers who devote their lives to capturing the "perfect" snowflake. We learned about scientists who study the science of avalanches. We learned about the impact of lake effect snow storms. By the end of the program my girls were hooked on snowflakes. If you can I strongly suggest you watch Chasing Snowflakes on The Nature of Things...amazing.
Okay, what does all this have to do with outdoor play. Have you ever noticed that with a greater understanding of something comes a greater interest in learning more. Well, since watching the show it has snowed a little more. Since watching the show the city of Buffalo was hit with an incredibly unbelievable amount of snow, as a result of a lake effect snow storm. With the new found knowledge about snowflakes my girls and I have been stopping and taking the time to examine snowflakes as we walk along. We have had amazing conversations about the storms in Buffalo. We've been making plans for how we will explore and experiment with snow this winter. Yesterday, when I slipped on the sidewalk and my youngest daughter remarked how the layers of snow that I slipped on was very much like the layers of snow that causes an avalanche...seriously?! I love how my daughters are growing a love of the simple and remarkable snowflake - and in turn have found a new way to explore the outdoor in the winter.
On with the Outdoor Play Party. Last week's party was a great collection of fall posts. The days are getting shorter and Wild Tales of shared a fantastic post filled with great tips for staying safe outdoors in the darker months of the year.
Now, it’s time for the party. We would appreciate it if you included a link back to this post (either in your post or sidebar) to help us spread the word about the importance (and fun!) of outdoor play! In return, we’ll gladly further share your post on Pinterest. Please feel free to grab the Outdoor Play Party button from my sidebar and/or include a text link back. Please note, that by contributing you are giving permission for an image and link to your post to be republished if featured. Share your ideas for outdoor play activities with us every other week.
Emma says
I find snowflakes fascinating too! I think they're just so beautiful. My daughter, of course, just likes to play in them. Ah well! 🙂
Sarah Christie says
Yes you are tight such an interesting subject, I hope you haven't had a tough time in the snow, we rarely get it bad here in the UK, although we did get 6 foot drifts last year it was great for a weekend but much longer would have driven me mad x
Merlinda Little (@pixiedusk) says
We didnt have snow last year. I would want to have snow now as I know my son will enjoy it as he is more aware of things now =) #countrykids
Joanna @mumbalance says
You're so lucky to have snow 🙂 Here in London it's still so warm and there's no guarantee we will have any snow this year. I love fresh snow and like you I find snowflakes fascinating.
I tried to watch the program, but it is blocked...
#outdoorplayparty
Jen says
Ah, possibly because you are in the UK. The show is on our equivalent to the BBC...we are blocked from many of those programs online...which is too bad. Maybe it will become widely available in the future. I'll keep an eye out for it. Thanks for stopping by.
Miriam says
Great post. I have to say with the frustration in regards to winter coming earlier than expected this actually puts a new spin on it. There is beauty in it and snowflakes are fascinating indeed.
Linda says
We just got our first snow (and really cold temps) last week, and that's a little early for us. The girls were elated, of course, and immediately proceeded to build a miniature snowman. We haven't discussed snowflakes much but now I'm thinking that maybe we should - they're already so tuned into the subject thanks to the Frozen movie...
Leila - Mud Mud Marvellous Mud says
How awesome that the Tv show came on just as you were talking about it! Little Man isn't quite at the stage of understanding yet but I love how he links little snippets of information together to construct his own ideas about the outside world. Great post 🙂