Fake snow facts for kids

A White House decoration volunteer throws fake snow onto a Christmas tree at the White House

Fake snow is anything that looks and feels like real snow, but isn't made from frozen water. It's used for decorations, movies, and shows.

For a long time, people have made fake snow from many different things. In the early 1900s, some decorative snow was made from flakes of borax or even ammonia.

Before people knew it was dangerous, a material called asbestos was sometimes used. It was sold to decorate Christmas trees. It also helped create snow scenes in famous movies like The Wizard of Oz and Citizen Kane.

You might have also seen fake snow in spray cans. These cans could put a fluffy, snow-like coating on windows and indoor displays.

Fake Snow in Movies and Shows

Fake snow at a filming location for the Doctor Who 2013 Christmas Special

When a play or show needs snow on stage, different materials are used. These can include feathers, cotton, paper, breakfast cereal, and even potato flakes.

To make cleanup easier, many theaters use "snow generators." These machines create white, soapy bubbles that look like snow. The bubbles then disappear after a short time. A similar method was used in film studios. A famous example is the movie It's a Wonderful Life.

For outdoor movie scenes that need a lot of fake snow, salt was once a cheap choice. However, salt can harm soil and plants. So, other materials like gypsum or bleached cereal flakes were often used instead. Paper is another option. It is shredded and spread by special machines, and it makes less noise than some other materials.

Newer types of fake snow are better for the environment. They are made from ingredients that are safe to eat and dissolve in the rain. This means they don't leave harmful leftover materials behind.

Images for kids

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  Theater snow machine

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  Theater snow machine on wheels

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  Aerosol can of artificial snow