- The original fake snow polymer
- Just add water to make gallons of white fluffy snow in seconds!
- Leave the snow out to dry and reuse it again… and again
- As seen on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Today Show, Good Morning America, 9News, & CBS News
Product Description
You may never know when snow is about to fall, but with Insta-Snow® powder from Steve Spangler Science, you can have the next best thing. Don’t settle for imitation snow that results in a slushy mess, get the original fake snow that has appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Tonight Show, and more!
The process to make realistic, fluffy snow is incredibly simple! Just use the included blue measuring scoop the get the perfect amount of power in a small cup or someone’s hands. Now just pour two ounces of water over the snow and watch the dry, white powder erupt into a miniature mountain of Instant Snow!
No matter what quantity of Insta-Snow you choose, you’ll get all of the materials you need including mixing instructions and the scientific explanation. Insta-Snow isn’t just a cool demonstration, educators have found great use in sensory tables for early childhood, chemistry for advanced sciences, and has even been converted into a science fair project by introducing variables. You’re getting a “WOW” factor with a ton of scientific application. Recommended for children ages 4 and up with adult supervision.
What’s Included?
Insta-Snow Test Tube – 7g
- Makes 37 oz
- Coverage area: 66 in3 (30″ x 1.1″ x 2″)
Insta-Snow Powder Jar – 100g
- Makes 3 gallons
- Coverage area: 690 in3 (30″ x 11.5″ x 2″)
Insta-Snow Day – 375g
- Makes 8 gallons
- Clear, decorative pail
- Coverage area: 1700 in3 (50″ x 17″ x 2″)
Insta-Snow Powder – 1 Pound Bag
- Makes 10 gallons
- Coverage area: 2310 in3 (70″ x 16.5″ x 2″)
Insta-Snow Powder – 5 Pound Bag
- Makes 50 gallons
- Coverage area: 11,500 in3 (250″ x 23″ x 2″)
What Does It Teach?
Explore the ever-changing science of polymers as students experiment with Instant Snow. Each Insta-Snow product comes with an activity guide with suggestions for science fair projects, classroom demonstrations, experiment ideas, and fun ways to explore the science of polymers. Within seconds, the liquid/powder mixture turns into a solid and then erupts into a fluffy white, snow-like material (no mixing required). Watch in amazement as it instantly expands up to 100 times its original volume.
Looking for cool ideas and projects that use Insta-Snow? Check out our top 10 ideas here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I dispose of Insta-Snow?
First, make sure you can’t use your Insta-Snow powder again. If your snow was handled by clean hands, take a shot and spread it out as thinly as possible in a dry area. Over time, the water in the powder will evaporate, leaving Insta-Snow powder that is ready to be reused.
If it is truly time to dump your Insta-Snow, do so in a trash can. NEVER PUT INSTA-SNOW DOWN THE DRAIN. If some Insta-Snow does end up clogging a drain, table salt and excess water should break down the polymer.
What are the best mixing proportions?
Mixing 1 teaspoon of Insta-Snow powder with 2 ounces of room temperature water produces the best quality snow. It is always recommended to make the snow in small quantities to achieve the greatest amount of mixing. Insta-Snow powder expands to 100 times its original volume. Just a small amount of powder is needed to make an impressive quantity of snow. On a much larger scale, 1 pound of Insta- Snow powder makes nearly 8 gallons of fluffy snow!
How long does the hydrated snow last?
The snow will start to dehydrate after a few days due to evaporation. Just spray the top of the snow with water and fluff the snow with your fingers to give it a fresh, fluffy look. You can also let the snow completely dry out to use it again. The dry form of Insta-Snow powder will last forever!
Why does the snow feel cold to the touch?
Since the snow is almost entirely made up of water, the water is bound to evaporate. The process of evaporation produces a constant cooling effect. That’s why it’s so much fun to touch!
Will the snow ever turn back into water?
No, the fake snow will not melt since it is not really ice. However, the water can be released from the superabsorbent polymer by adding salt. The addition of salt destroys the water absorbing properties of Insta-Snow forever.
Does Insta-Snow have to be on a special surface?
No, Insta-Snow can be used on almost any surface except untreated wood. Keep the snow off of any surface that might be damaged by water. Surfaces that are ideal include tile, plastic, and glass. Insta-Snow will not stain fabric, but normal care should be taken when applying this water-based material.
Can Insta-Snow be colored?
Yes! Just add a few drops of food coloring to the water before mixing it with the Insta-Snow powder.
Can Insta-Snow be thrown away in the trash?
Insta-Snow is very easy to clean up and can be disposed of in the trash. Just brush the surface clean or use a vacuum to pick up the snow. Eventually the hydrated snow will turn back into the dry powder and can be easily swept or vacuumed. Insta-Snow powder is a non-hazardous, non-toxic, environmentally safe polymer.
Is Insta-Snow safe to use outside?
Yes! Insta-Snow looks so real that it is being used by special effects artists in movies to snow outdoor scenes without damaging the plants and grass. Sprinkle the hydrated snow on evergreen trees to produce a realistic snow effect. In fact, the water absorbing properties of the snow are actually beneficial to the plants. Remember, Insta-Snow is very slippery when wet. Use special care to keep the snow off of any walking surface.
Insta-Snow® is a registered trademark of Steve Spangler, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Call: 303-798-2778
Toll Free: 800-223-9080
Monday – Friday
8:30 am – 5:00 pm (MST)
Steve Spangler Science
Denver Office
4400 South Federal Blvd
Englewood, Colorado 80110
Clear Balloons – 100 pack
Valerie Munoz –
My 1st and 2nd grade kids absolutely loved it. How do you make the powder? That would be an expansion of the activity I like to teach.
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Tyler R –
What is the polymer the snow is made of called?
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Staff lisabrooks –
The Insta-Snow is a sodium polyacrylamide polymer.
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April Oaks –
This is really fun to play with. My kids favorite is to put some in their hands dry, add water, then throw over their heads. You can see what I mean at the one minute mark on this video.
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carlosrays –
Some really interesting details you have written.Helped me a lot, just what I was looking for :D.
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Amy McNamara –
Is this product allergen-free?
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Staff Lisa – Customer Service Manager –
Insta-Snow is allergen free.
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Vickie Thiel –
Our school is having a Snow Day in Texas! I would like all 600 students to be able to make some snow in our STEM lab. How much snow do you suggest I purchase for a group of that size?
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Staff Lisa – Customer Service Manager –
I would suggest purchasing the 5 gallon bag of Insta-Snow. If each student gets one scoop of dry powder (scoop is provided for you), you would get approximately 700 scoops out of one 5 pound bag. Then add water to make it fluff up 100 times its original size.
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Lisa –
Is the snow dry or wet. Thinking about using in our children’s museum. Thanks
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Staff Lisa – Customer Service Manager –
Technically speaking, the Insta-Snow will be wet since you have to add water activate the polymer. However, it doesn’t feel wet since the polymer absorbs the water. We still recommend that you avoid leaving the snow on any wood surfaces since the moisture can still effect wood and other surfaces.
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Sean Killackey –
Is this Sodium Polyacylate?
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Staff lisabrooks –
The Insta-Snow is a form of Sodium Polyacrylate.
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Jean Dotson –
I work in an Autism clinic and would like to fill our sensory table with this. Are there any safety hazards if accidentally ingested?
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Staff Lisa – Customer Service Manager –
Insta-Snow is not much different than children playing in a sand pit. If they get it into their eyes or mouth, rinse it out with extra fluid and keep an eye on them to make sure they are okay. We have SDS forms that we can provide you to have on file just in case anything comes up. Just reach out to Support@SteveSpanglerScience.com to receive a copy.
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Stephanie Kaloupek –
Is this nontoxic?
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Staff Lisa – Customer Service Manager –
That is correct. Insta-Snow is non-toxic.
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Neita Oates –
What causes the snow to turn lumpy and wet after a day or two of use in a preschool? I use it every year but would love to avoid having to throw it out so often.
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Staff Lisa – Customer Service Manager –
It sounds like bacteria is effecting your snow. I recommend having the kids wash their hands well before using it, and then using hand sanitizer just to make sure their hands are extra clean. We all know how thorough preschools are with washing their hands. Also, remind the kids if they need to sneeze to move away from the snow.
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Jason –
Does this work well for slime?
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Staff Lisa – Customer Service Manager –
I am afraid I am not understanding the question. Please feel free to reach out to our customer service team for better assistance. The best email to use is support@stevespanglerscience.com.
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Schoolhouse Children’s Museum –
We recently ordered your snow for an event and it was awesome–we had another event right after that and had no time to order and found it at a local store needless to say their snow was awful!!!Just ordered your super size for our New Year’s Event.My advice::: Always order the snow from Steve Spangler!
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Chelsea Lamb –
We bought 50 gallons of insta snow to give our niece and nephews a white christmas! We made it all on Christmas Eve late at night and covered our front lawn! It was soo cool and looked and felt like real snow! We were soo excited, but we didnt think about the moisture in the air sadly and when we woke up in the morning it was way too wet and turnes super goopy.. We were really bummed, next time we will just wake up early and do it that morning! But the kids still loved it and since they had never seen snow they didnt know the dofference! Overall it is a great product and we are lookibg forward to trying it again!
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Josie LaFrancis –
I have been using this snow with children for over a decade and watching their sweet faces transform with pure joy as the snow magically appears before their eyes! We hold an annual toy drive for needy children and this is always the biggest highlight! I usually use a bit in my children’s classrooms a couple of weeks before our toy drive so kids can compare textures (fluffy powder vs compacting snowballs). Best thing ever for kids (and adults)!
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Joanne Reilly –
A good friend of mine lives in Southern California and her youngest daughter annouced she wanted her birthday party to be based on the movie Frozen. My friend was struggling with how to pull this off when I told her about Insta-Snow and shared the video from the Ellen Show. I bought the 10 gallon supply as my birthday gift and some test-tubes for the take-home goody bags. The kids were thrilled to have snow in Orange County, CA in July! It was a HUGE hit!!
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CC –
When I nannied some girls they luved it so much they didn’t want to stop playing with it! (:
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Angela –
What a wonderful experience this was for the kids. The children were truly captivated and curious as to how quickly the polymers absorbed the water and expanded. We did this as a science lesson on one of the half days and students loved this. Will do this again.
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Neita Oates –
I use this every year with my preschoolers. The four year old class does a focused science activity first to create the snow, and I always enjoy their cries of amazement. The 3 year old class gets to enjoy what the four year olds created and love it just as much. I have learned that when used for free sensory play, it needs to be replaced pretty often because it gets compromised and turns jelly like – which is why I ordered twp bags because it is totally worth it!! Everyone is excited when they have to make more!!
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Ellen Mibbs –
We use the snow at our preschool and the kids love it! I purchased some for our early childhood winter fun night and it was a hit!
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The best of the best instant snow –
This instant snow powder is really good and helpful for science fairs and stuff like that. My friend invented this rainbow snow 3000. There’s wood and when you let go of the wood the powder from tubes falls down into the food colouring water and makes wonderful instant snow!
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N. –
Ordered it several times already for classroom fun science. Kids of all ages loved it!I use it to explain the science of polymers and even compare the physical behavior to that of real snow. One of my classrooms even started a snow fight with it :)I always keep a small bag in my purse to wow kids in any gathering. Highly recommend!
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Rob –
I have started a tradition of buying this snow for our New Year’s Eve Party every year. I put it in a sandbox with lots of beach toys and the kids go nuts for it. It’s great because unlike real snow it doesn’t get them wet and it isn’t really cold so it just provides hours of fun. Great product!
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BBethay –
how much do you need for a class of 25 students?
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Staff lisabrooks –
You could go with the 100 gram jar size. With the scoop that is provided, the 100 gram jar provides you enough snow for approximately 35 scoops of Insta-Snow. The scoop will make a handful of powdery snow once the water is added. If you want to make more then that for your students, I would go with the next size up.
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Lisa Darragh –
I need a data safety sheet for this product instasnow
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Staff lisabrooks –
Please contact our office at 800-223-9080 with your order information and we will be happy to get the form to you to you directly.
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Rebekah –
Is this Insta snow eco friendly? You mention it is good outside, but will it evaporate or go away?
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Staff lisabrooks –
The Insta-Snow is eco-friendly to a degree. The water will evaporate from the powder, but the powder will be left behind. This means anytime you water your lawn or it rains, the “snow” will be reactivated. Eventually the powder will work it’s way into the soil and keep the grass well hydrated. If you leave too much Insta-Snow powder on the ground for too long (over an inch or so), the soil will become oversaturated and turn into a wet marsh every time it receives any kind of moisture. The recommendation is to clean up as much of the excess powder and leave nothing more than a small dusting of the powder.
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Elisabeth –
Exactly how long would it take for the package to arrive?
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Staff lisabrooks –
It depends on the shipping method you choose. SmartPost is the cheapest, but slowest option. We also offer all FedEx options. The shipping options will show the average days it takes for the package to arrive. If you are not seeing this information at checkout, please feel free to contact our customer service team at Support@SteveSpangler.com for more details.
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Angela –
Is this product biodegradable?
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