Though no two snowflakes are exactly alike, they all share some characteristics. Do you know what they are? Look at the snowflake pictures. How may arms, or main points, does each have? Do you count six? What is the shape that forms the center of each flake? The central shape can be tiny or large. It is six sided… a hexagon.

Snowflakes are made of one or more ice crystals. They form when water vapor freezes onto a tiny particle of dust. The ice crystal grows within a cloud of water vapor until it is so heavy that it falls toward the ground as a snowflake. If the snowflake passes through warmer air as it falls it may melt and hit the ground as rain or sleet. If it melts on its way down then refreezes it may become hail.

Interesting Facts

• The dust particle, or "snow seed," that starts off a snowflake is called a nucleating agent.
• You can go to college to study snow science.
• Snow acts as a great blanket covering the ground. A very cold winter without snow kills off more plants and animals than a very cold winter with snow. Can you think of why? When might deep snow be a hard on animals?

Activities for Children & the Young at Heart

1.  In this amazing YouTube video by Caleb Foster you can watch snowflakes form.
2. Look at water vapor… your body makes it all the time… do you know how to see it? Go to a window – preferably a cold window – and stand very close and give it a strong blast of your breath… what do you see? Why do you think you make water vapor? Where else can you observe water vapor forming?
3. Go on a winter walk. Can you smell the snow? What sound does in make under your feet? What is the temperature when it squeaks underfoot? What shapes can you make with the snow in you hands? Is it packable or does it powder through your mitts? Can you breathe well through your nose or do your nostrils stick together? Keep a winter journal, record the temperature before each walk and then compare what you see, hear, and smell during each winter walk.
4. Build a snowman or snow fort or snow sculpture. What temperature is it outside when you can pack snow, and when you can cut snow blocks? Is the snow freshly fallen or has it been on the ground for days? What temperature is it when finely flaked snow falls? What temperature is it when snow falls in large fluffy flakes?
5.  Try catching falling snow on black paper or felt then looking at it through a magnifying hand lens.
6. Read Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin to learn how a little boy in Jericho, Vermont followed his passion to study and photograph snow.
7.  Learn more about Wilson Bentley.