SO MUCH FUN WITH INSTA-SNOW® POWDER
- Fun science kits for kids
- Simple and safe to use
- Makes realistic, fluffy snow in just seconds
- Top sensory toys & STEM activities perfect for classrooms and the home
Make Gallons of Fake Snow in Seconds: The Original Instant Snow Polymer
When snow is on the mind, why wait for that first snowfall? Create fake snow with our Insta-Snow® Powder! As everyone knows, snow is a seasonal phenomenon. In some areas of the country, it doesn’t occur at all. Snow can’t be brought inside for study or playing with friends. It’s difficult to play with safely, but that’s where science comes in.Your young scientists can experience hours of entertainment with Steve Spangler Science Insta-Snow Powder kits, delivering realistic and fluffy fake snow that can be dried out and reused countless times. This fake snow won’t feel fake at all. Just add water and watch in amazement. Within seconds, the mixture transforms into a solid and then erupts into a fluffy, white, snow-like material. The best part? There’s no stirring required. Watch as it instantly expands up to 100 times its original volume before your eyes. Our Instant Snow Powder kit is a true wonder and a versatile learning aid for the classroom or playtime.
Choose Fake Snow for Real Fun in the Classroom
Insta-Snow isn’t just a cool demonstration tool. Educators have found great uses for instant snow from early childhood sensory tables to advanced chemistry experiments. No matter what quantity of Insta-Snow you choose, you’ll get all of the materials you need in this comprehensive fake snow kit, including mixing instructions and an in-depth scientific explanation about polymers. When you order any of the all-in-one science kits from Steve Spangler, you’ll get true wow factor and tons of real-life, scientific applications. This instant snow powder is recommended for children ages four and up with adult supervision.
The Learning Opportunities of Playing With Artificial Snow
Oh, the wonder of polymers! Explore the fun side of learning using the ever-changing science of polymers with our artificial snow kit. As students experiment with our Insta-Snow product, teachers and parents can discuss the application of polymers in everyday life. Kids will be excited to witness the magic of Insta-Snow as you explain to them how this substance changes from a liquid to a solid. Our Insta-Snow provides plenty of discussion opportunities as everyone observes its physical change and response to temperature. Our instant snow is so much fun, you may never want to go back to real snow ever again.
Why Does Fake Snow Still Feel Cold?
Since the fake snow is almost entirely made up of water, the water is bound to evaporate when exposed to warmth like your natural body heat. The process of evaporation produces a constant cooling effect, which is why Insta-Snow is so much fun for kids to touch and why it still feels cold, despite being artificial snow.
How Long Can You Use Fake Snow?
The fake snow will start to dehydrate after a few days due to the process of evaporation. If you’re not ready for the fake snow powder to dehydrate, there’s luckily a solution. Just spray the top of the snow with water and fluff the instant snow with your fingers to give it a fresh, renewed look. You can also let the fake snow completely dry out to use it over and over again. The dry form of Insta-Snow powder will last forever. Once it’s completely dry, store your instant snow powder in an air-tight container, and take out your artificial snow whenever you’re ready to use it again.
How to Make Instant Snow Igloos
Here’s a recipe for instant snow creations at home. You can have fun building a snow fort, an inventive igloo or anything you can imagine by freezing blocks of Insta-Snow with an ice tray from your fridge. Though our instant snow may be artificial, it works just like the real deal!
Steve Spangler Instant Snow Science Kits
Each Insta-Snow science kit comes with an activity guide with suggestions for science fair projects and other fun ways to explore the science of polymers. Get this and other all-in-one science kits at Steve Spangler Science, where we aim to make our science experiments BIG and memorable. With science kits like our fake snow powder, we aim to excite and inspire the next generation of STEMologists!
What’s Included?
XS – Insta-Snow Test Tube – 0.53 oz (15 g)
- Makes ½ gallon
S – Insta-Snow Powder – 3.5 oz (100 g)
- Makes 3 gallons
M – Insta-Snow Powder – 7 oz (200 g)
- Makes 6 gallons
L – Insta-Snow Powder – 14 oz (400 g)
- Makes 12 gallons
Insta-Snow Powder Frequently Asked Questions
How do I dispose of Insta-Snow?
First, make sure you can’t use your Insta-Snow powder again. If your artificial snow was handled with clean hands, spread it out as thinly as possible in a dry area. Over time, the water in the instant snow 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 for instant snow powder?
Mixing 1 teaspoon of Insta-Snow powder with 2 ounces of room temperature water produces the best quality instant 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 instant snow 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 fake snow!
How long does the hydrated fake snow last?
The fake snow will start to dehydrate after a few days due to evaporation. Just spray the top of the artificial snow with water and fluff the snow with your fingers to give it a fresh, fluffy look. You can also let the fake snow completely dry out to use it again. The dry form of Insta-Snow powder will last forever!
Will the fake 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 instant snow. Eventually the hydrated snow will turn back into the dry instant snow 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 fake snow on evergreen trees to produce a realistic snow effect. In fact, the water-absorbing properties of the artificial 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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Shelton, CT 06484
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Pearl Swirl Rheoscopic Concentrate
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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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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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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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 [email protected].
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Angela –
Is this product biodegradable?
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Kyle Buckley –
My daughter is currently deployed in Africa and will be there through the holidays. I was thinking of getting the largest container to use outside. Can/will this snow easily mix in with the sand, or will it need to be cleaned up from the ground?
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joshlittrell –
Kyle, thanks for the question. I would always suggest to clean up the Insta-Snow after use. As long as you clean up most of it, a little on the ground/sand will be no problem. It would dehydrate over time, and would saturate again with water. Over time the polymer will break down. Wish your daughter good luck with the activity. Joshua
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Jacob –
Will this snow blow around if I want it to? I would like to use a very large fan to create a blizzard like effect for a film project. Will Insta-Snow blow around freely and easily?
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joshlittrell –
Hello Jacob, Thanks for the question. Since the Insta-Snow is 99% water after being saturated it would be too heavy to create a snow storm with a fan. The snow would move with a fan, but not high enough in the air. Joshua
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Nu Phan –
How much square footage does the 5lb cover?
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joshlittrell –
Nu, thanks for the question. The 5 lb. bag of Insta-Snow will produce up to 50 gallons of hydrated snow. The coverage would really depend on the depth of the snow created for the space. This product once saturated would be 99% water and will dehydrate over time. If you have further questions you can contact me at [email protected]. Have a great rest of the week. Joshua
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Summer –
Can you use this fake snow to make slime, it basically is supposed to add texture to it.
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joshlittrell –
Thanks for the question. You can use Insta-Snow to add a texture but it will not saturate in the slime, it would have just a gritty feel. If you want to add texture I would suggest tiny Styrofoam balls. I hope this information is helpful. Have a great start to the New Year. Joshua
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Michelle Owens –
Such an amazing product! We had a snowball fight in 100 degree heat here in Texas! We love it so much we will be getting more.
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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 [email protected] to receive a copy.
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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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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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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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CC –
When I nannied some girls they luved it so much they didn’t want to stop playing with it! (:
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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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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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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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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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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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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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Elizabeth –
I would like to order large quantities of the x-small. How may do you have in stock?
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Lisa – Customer Service Manager –
We make this product in-house and can get you whatever you need.
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Carla (verified owner) –
If I cover a hill side with it, can kids sled on it?
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Lisa – Customer Service Manager –
Yes, in some countries without snow, they use this product for an indoor ski resort.
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Cindy Kwong –
How much water is needed for the XS – Insta-Snow Test Tube – 0.53 oz (15 g) that makes ½ gallon?
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rhall2 –
Is the instand snow powder safe for children with an egg allergy?
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smack2021 –
Yes it is safe!
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Cindy –
Is the fake snow biodegradable? My daughter wants to use it at her wedding as they leave. The venue needs to know if it is biodegradable.
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smack2021 –
Yes it is. The salt in the earth will break it down.
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Michelle –
My child is allergic to nuts and eggs. Is this product safe for him?
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smack2021 –
Hi Michelle, Yes, this product is safe and does not contain any food-based ingredients.
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June Ann Moss –
Can Insta Snow be used inside an oranament for display purposes? Does it have to be dried first?
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Dawn –
I would like to gift the insta-snow powder to kids. I would do 3-4 scoops for around 15 kids. Would I need the medium size or large to have plenty?
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kaitlin –
what should I do if a child ingests a small amount or tries to taste it?
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smack2021 –
Please contact customer care at 1-800-223-9080 and choose option 1.
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BW –
How many scoops do you recommend for using in a shoe box sized plastic container? I want to fill the box about 1/3 with snow.
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Kim Aichele –
I need 4 of your scoops (I don’t remember the size of your scoops) for 24 groups of students. If I order the large (12 gallons) would that be enough?
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joshlittrell –
Kim – thanks for the question. Feel free to contact me at the e-mail address below and I’ll be able to assist you on quantity for the event. I look forward to hearing from you. Joshua – [email protected]
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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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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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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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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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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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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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debbie –
If I add a beef bullion cube (or fruit juice already mixed in water) to water resulting in soup, then added your powder to make a solid, then left it long enough for the water to evaporate out of the powder, would the bullion cube be left within the powder? If I used real fruit juice, would the fruit mixture extract out? would it be mixed together in the powder or would the bullion be separated from the powder? guess I’m asking if you can extract something from a premixed liquid if you let the water evaporate. how long does it take to evaporate about 8 oz. of liquid? days or weeks? If one of the kids ate this, do I need to panic?
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joshlittrell –
Debbie – I would suggest not adding a food by-products to the water and mixing in the Insta-Snow. Our Insta-Snow is intended to be used only with water. While Insta-Snow is safe to use, you don’t want to ingest any type of polymer.
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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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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 [email protected] for more details.
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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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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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Kirsti Drago –
Does the 7 gram one come in a nice packaging or does it just come as shown in the picture ( a tube)?
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joshlittrell –
Kirsti – for the product WSNO-100, it would be 7 grams of Insta-Snow inside a vial that is then wrapped with the instructions. Those are then placed in a baby test tube and capped. It would be a great product to provide as a gift or as a small sample. The 7 grams of Insta-Snow would make 1 quart of final saturated snow. The product is currently on sale on our website, with the following link: https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/store/instant-snow-powder.html
Have a great rest of the week. Joshua
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Kathy –
Is insta snow safe for an 18month old sibling to play with?
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smack2021 –
Hi Kathy. This is not designed for children under 5 years old and adult supervision is required. This is a polymer and should never be ingested.
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