Who Made the First Snow Angel and Other Fun Holiday Tales

Telling holiday tales is a fun and imaginative way to connect to your children and build excitement for the snowy season. Each tale can create foundational memories for your children and be something they look forward to during the holiday season. 

The First Snow Angel

Snow angels have been around for as long as people can remember. Making snow angels is almost second nature to children and adults alike. 

To make a snow angel, you lay down in the snow with your limbs stretched out, and then you move your arms and legs toward and away from your body in a sweeping motion. The trick is that the movement of the arms creates the wings and the movement of the legs creates the gown for the angel. 

According to legend, the first snow angels came from Medieval Jewish mystics who would roll around in the snow to purge themselves from evil urges. While the tradition of making snow angels is more lighthearted today, you can still tell your children this anecdotal tale about the snow angels’ origins. 

If you want to read a story to your children about snow angels, check out Maggie O’Farrell’s book, Where Snow Angels Go. This illustrated children’s novel tells the story of a young girl and the snow angel that saved her life. It’s perfect to read with children and teach them the magic that comes with imagination. 

Frosty the Snowman

Many people know the joyful song, Frosty the Snowman, and this story can be a fun way to interact with your children. Frosty first came about in 1950 and has been memorialized ever since. The story goes, Frosty is a snowman who comes to life when a magical silk hat is placed over his head. Frosty plays with the children in the snow until the weather warms and he must leave to go to a colder climate. He promises he’ll be back again when the snow comes back. 

Whether your children know this story or not, telling this anecdote can be a fun tradition to begin. You can read the book or watch the movie with your kids, or you can create an artistic activity with them. For this holiday craft project, you can cut out three white circles, glue them together, and get supplies to decorate your own Frosty. 

How Snowflakes are Formed

Playing in the snow is a fun activity for children to do, and there is a fun, creative way to help your children learn about the natural phenomenon of snowflakes. You can tell your children how snowflakes are formed, and then create a craft to help supplement the learning. 

Snowflakes form high in the sky when cold water droplets freeze onto dust or pollen particles which creates an ice crystal. As this ice crystal falls from the sky, water vapor freezes to the original crystal and forms the six legs of a snowflake. Snowflakes form in a hexagonal structure, and there are never two snowflakes that have the same structure. This means that every snowflake is unique and different from any other snowflake! Though snowflakes are small, their makeup is complex and beautiful. 

To help your children understand how complex snowflakes are, you can set up a craft to help explain the process. You can make snowflake crystals with Borax for a fun activity to show you children how ice crystals form. For a more simplistic lesson on snowflakes, you can create snowflakes by cutting out coffee filters or pieces of paper. 

Why Do People Put Wreaths on Doors?

Do you or your children wonder why everyone seems to put wreaths on their doors and windows during the holiday season? How did this tradition come about? Today, wreaths may symbolize the holiday or season at the time or even present a welcoming front. 

However, the tradition of placing a wreath on the front door dates back to the 8^th century during Roman civilization. Ancient Romans would place wreaths on their doors as a sign of victory or high status. Wreaths were documented even earlier in history as a Pagan tradition to symbolize perseverance through the harsh winter months. 

Wreaths throughout history have symbolized hope, status, thankfulness, and celebration. Now you can teach your children the history of wreaths and help them create their own wreath for the holiday or other events. 

Want to Learn More?

If you want to learn more about stories, activities, and lessons to teach your children, you can visit The Learning Experience’s YouTube channel, Bubbles and Friends. This channel features educational videos for children and provides fun activities for the whole family. Check out our channel today!