Over and Under the Snow in the Pacific Northwest

Inspired by Kate Messner's beloved children’s book Over and Under the Snow, explore a world of discovery through activities at home or around the greater Seattle area. We’re sharing enchanting winter-themed activities to bring the over-and-under-the-snow magic to life for your family.

1. Create a secret kingdom of winter animals

Gather art materials like watercolor paper, crayons, and colored pencils, and let your little ones create a snowy forest for animals that live both over and under the snow. You can use Messner's book as a reference for animals like foxes, mice, and rabbits, which seek shelter under the snow.

Materials needed:

• Watercolor paper
• Watercolor paints
• Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
• "Over and Under the Snow" for inspiration

Instructions:

1. Paint a snowy backdrop with watercolor.
2. Use construction paper to create trees and burrows.
3. Draw or paste cut-outs of animals peeking out from under the snow, creating a winter scene that captures the secret lives of creatures surviving the cold.
    

2. Go on a winter hike

Get outdoors and explore local Seattle trails where kids can observe plants and animals that thrive in winter. Take along a copy of “Over and Under the Snow” to point out real-life animals and see how many you can find!

Local trails for winter discovery:

• Discovery Park: Located in Magnolia, this park offers beautiful winter views and has educational signs to teach kids about native plants and animals.
• Washington Park Arboretum: This is a fantastic place to explore with little ones, thanks to its wide trails and lush winter greenery.
• Seward Park: With its old-growth trees and trails, this park is a perfect spot to look for bird species and spot animals foraging.
   

3. Build an indoor igloo

Turn your living room into a cozy igloo hideaway! Using pillows, blankets, or even cardboard boxes, build an igloo to mimic how animals stay warm under the snow. Add wintry props or animal toys to make it an imaginative animal den.
 

4. Winter sensory play with snow paint

Create snow paint with a simple mixture of shaving cream and glue, which makes a puffy paint that dries with a fluffy texture. This easy do-it-yourself paint mimics the look of fresh snow and is a fun way to make snowmen and snow landscapes indoors.

Materials needed:

• Shaving cream
• School glue
• Blue construction paper

Instructions:

1. Mix equal parts of glue and shaving cream.
2. Use brushes or fingers to create snowy scenes on construction paper.
3. Decorate with markers, glitter, or small beads.
    

5. Greater Seattle area winter-themed outings

After exploring winter at home, enjoy some seasonal outings in Seattle that bring the magic of "Over and Under the Snow" to life.

Snow tubing at Snoqualmie Pass:

• Just an hour from Seattle, Snoqualmie Pass offers a family-friendly snow tubing experience where kids can get active and enjoy the beauty of the snow.

Ice skating at Downtown Seattle’s seasonal rinks:

• Several rinks, including the one at Bellevue Downtown Park, offer outdoor skating where kids can pretend to be winter animals sliding “over” the snow! After a few laps, enjoy some hot cocoa to warm up.

WildLanterns Woodland Park Zoo:

• The Woodland Park Zoo’s seasonal WildLanterns display transforms the zoo into a snowy wonderland. As you walk through twinkling lights and animal-themed displays, kids can imagine the lives of animals they’ve read about in Over and Under the Snow.