fake snow

After yesterday's excitement in the ice I decided the penguins needed some snow to make them feel at home, so from Amazon I ordered some fake non-toxic snow. It was truly amazing stuff - adding the water and watching it expand and it felt soft and nice to touch. E has just spend about half an hour making up adventures in the snow with the penguins going off to fish and worrying about getting frost bite! Then both girls filled up various containers and poured it out again (although it does look like a blizzard has been blowing in the kitchen!). With the older girls we have talked about the science behind the chemicals
It is actually derived from the superabsorbent polymer found in disposable nappies. The polymer soaks up water via osmosis and so when water comes in contact with the polymer, it moves from outside the polymer to the inside and causes it to swell. It is a physical reaction - a reaction where the substance itself does not change.