Australia does not get much of a white Christmas, so the Scout Elves have a simple solution: make your own. Fake snow takes about five minutes, uses things you probably already have in the cupboard or bathroom, and it is the perfect consistency for mini snowmen, snowballs and small igloos.

Below are five Scout Elf–approved recipes, plus tips for making the snow feel properly cold and wintry.

Fake snow recipes for kids from The Elf on the Shelf

What you will need

Every recipe below uses just two everyday ingredients. Pick whichever pair you already have:

  • Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) – the base for three of the five recipes
  • Shaving cream – foam, not gel
  • White hair conditioner
  • Cornflour
  • Plain lotion or moisturiser
  • A mixing bowl and a fork or whisk

Five easy ways to make fake snow

1. Bicarbonate of soda and shaving cream

Mix together 450 g (1 lb) of bicarbonate of soda, then slowly add shaving cream until you reach the perfect snowy consistency. Let the kids knead it with their hands until it is all combined. This one holds its shape beautifully.

2. Bicarbonate of soda and water

Pour 1 cup of bicarbonate of soda into a bowl and add water one tablespoon at a time. Stir with a fork or whisk, adding more water as you go. When it is light and powdery, it is ready to play with.

3. Bicarbonate of soda and conditioner

Use white conditioner so your snow looks like the real thing. Start with ½ cup of conditioner and stir in about 3 cups of bicarbonate of soda with a fork. This snow packs very well and is the best of the five for building snowmen.

4. Shaving cream and cornflour

Mix equal parts shaving cream (foam, not gel) and cornflour. This makes a dense, foamy snow that is very easy to mould.

5. Cornflour and lotion

Mix together equal parts cornflour and lotion for a crumbly, powdery snow. For an even finer texture, add slightly less lotion than cornflour.

Scout Elf tips for better fake snow

  • Pop the finished snow in the freezer for half an hour so it feels properly cold to the touch.
  • A little glitter gives it some sparkle.
  • The Scout Elves love adding a drop of peppermint oil, because it reminds them of their favourite white Christmases at the North Pole.
  • Set out biscuit cutters, plastic utensils and snowman decorating supplies to stretch the activity out.

Keeping it safe

Fake snow is a play material, not a food, so a few sensible rules keep it fun:

  • An adult should always supervise, and always read the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings on any product you use.
  • It is not suitable for babies or toddlers who still put things in their mouths.
  • Keep shaving cream and conditioner away from eyes, and wash hands when you are finished.
  • Check the ingredients against any allergies in your family before you start.
  • Mix on a wipeable surface or a tray – bicarbonate of soda travels.

When to make fake snow in Australia

Fake snow works just as well in July as it does in December. It is a favourite during the winter school holidays, when a snowy craft feels seasonal, and it turns up again in the lead-up to Christmas when families want a wintry scene without the weather to match.

If you are planning a mid-year celebration, it pairs perfectly with our Christmas in July ideas. For more things to make and do, browse the Elf Ideas library or the Scout Elf Craft Corner. And if your family has an Elf Pets® Arctic Fox, a tray of fresh snow makes a lovely place for them to appear.

Please remember that when attempting the craft included in this blog post, children should always be supervised by an adult. When using crafting supplies or products, always read manufacturer’s instructions and warnings.