Snowflakes are fleeting wonders of nature, each one unique yet short-lived and fleeting. Wouldn’t it be amazing to preserve their delicate beauty even after they melt away? Thanks to a few simple tricks, you can capture and admire these winter treasures for longer than just a fleeting moment. Who knew it was this easy to learn how to save snowflakes.
Now you can bring your snow inside, thanks to this clever little trick!
Materials Needed to Save Snowflakes
- A smooth, flat surface such as a piece of glass, metal tray, or dark fabric.
- Aerosol hairspray (choose one with minimal fragrance or residue)
- Optional: Magnifying glass, microscope slide, tweezers
Steps:
Time needed: 1 hour
Capture and Save Snowflakes in 5 easy steps
- Chill Out: Freeze the piece of glass and the hairspray can overnight.
The key to success is keeping everything cold. Place your chosen surface and the hairspray can in the freezer overnight. This ensures the snowflakes won’t melt on contact.
- Get Ready to Spray: Spray your chilled glass with the chilled hairspray.
Once everything is frosty, take your chilled tools outside. Choose a spot sheltered from wind and direct sunlight.
- Catch the Flakes: Go outside and let some snowflakes settle on the glass.
Hold the chilled surface horizontally. Give the hairspray can a quick burst to create a thin layer of sticky mist. Be careful not to overdo it, as too much hairspray can damage the delicate snowflakes.
- Gather Your Treasures:
Let the snowflakes gently land on the hairspray-coated surface. You can also carefully use tweezers to transfer individual flakes, but be gentle.
- Bring the snowflakes Indoors: Now you have a permanent record of your snowflakes!
Once you have enough snowflakes, bring your creation back inside. Let it thaw slowly at room temperature for about 15 minutes. The hairspray will harden, holding the snowflakes in place.
Voila! You now have a beautiful display of snowflakes to admire. Place your creation on a windowsill or other cool spot to enjoy their intricate patterns.
Bonus Tips:
- Use a dark surface like dark fabric or a metal tray to make the snowflakes stand out better.
- For a closer look, consider using a magnifying glass or even examining your snowflakes under a microscope.
- If you want to preserve your snowflakes for even longer, you can try more advanced methods like using superglue or replica techniques.
Other Ways To Save Snowflakes
- Photography: Capture the fleeting beauty of snowflakes in photos. Look for interesting contrasts and backgrounds to make your photos stand out.
- Snow Globes: Create your own miniature winter wonderland with a snow globe kit. Add your saved snowflakes along with miniature figurines for a personalized touch.
- Artwork: Get creative! Use your snowflakes as inspiration for drawings, paintings, or even collages.
Saving snowflakes is a fun and rewarding activity that lets you appreciate the beauty of nature up close. So bundle up, head outside, and capture a little bit of winter magic to enjoy all year long!
More Fun With Snowflakes
As a homeowner, I primarily write about weather safety tips that everyone should know in order to protect their home and family during major weather events. I especially like to share seasonal "outside the box" ideas that most wouldn't think of in the Spring, Summer, Winter, and Fall. The weather events I've personally experienced include: Hurricanes (while living in Florida), Tornadoes (while living in Indiana, Texas, and Tennessee), Earthquakes (while visiting California), Blizzards (while living in New York and Indiana), and Flooding (while living in Tennessee).
