Look, I love Disney+ as much as the next exhausted parent. Popping on a movie buys you, what, 90 minutes of glorious, blessed quiet? But sometimes, you want to trade the screen time for some real-world, creative chaos. And if your kid is currently obsessed with the fairest one of all, you’re in luck.
I’ve been there. My living room has been transformed into a dwarven mine, and I’ve had to pretend to be a “sleeping” princess more times than I care to admit. So, I’ve gathered up the best, most hands-on, and honestly, pretty fun Snow White activities to do with your kids. No fancy supplies or art degrees required. Just a willingness to get a little messy and sing a lot of “Heigh-Ho.”
Ready to make some magic? Let’s get into it.
1. Poison Apple Taste Test (The Healthy(ish) Version)
So, the whole plot of Snow White hinges on a shiny red apple. Why not lean into it? This isn’t about actually poisoning anyone, of course. It’s about a fun, sensory taste test that gets kids to try new fruit.
I set out a bunch of different apple slices—Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Gala, and Red Delicious. Then, I made a few “magic” dips. We had a “potion” dip (plain yogurt with a tiny drop of honey), a “poison” caramel dip (because caramel is clearly the most dangerous :), and a “witch’s warts” dip (peanut butter with a few chocolate chips).
My kids had a blast being “testers” for the Queen. They’d take a bite, declare if it was safe, and then give it a silly rating. It’s a sneaky way to get them to eat apples and talk about different tastes—sweet, tart, tangy. Ever wonder why a Honeycrisp is so much crunchier? We looked it up! Turns out, it’s all in the cellular structure. Who knew snack time could be educational?
2. Make Your Own “Wicked” Queen Mirror
This is one of those crafts that looks way more impressive than it actually is, which is my favorite kind of craft. You just need some cardboard, aluminum foil, and basic craft supplies.
First, cut a large circle or oval out of the cardboard. Then, let your kid go to town covering it with strips of aluminum foil. It doesn’t have to be smooth—the crinkles actually give it a cool, “old mirror” texture. Once it’s covered, glue on some popsicle sticks or craft gems around the edge to make a fancy frame.
The best part? The “Magic Mirror” part. On a separate piece of paper, have your child draw a picture of the “fairest one of all.” Spoiler: It should be them. Or you. Or the family dog. Tape this drawing over the foil. Now, when they look in the mirror and ask, “Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” they can lift the picture to “reveal” the answer. My son still cracks himself up lifting the flap to show his own goofy face.
3. Bird and Animal Whistle Craft
Let’s be honest, Snow White’s real superpower wasn’t her beauty or her cleaning skills. It was her ability to boss around a bunch of forest creatures. This activity helps your kids tap into that same energy.
You’ll need some air-dry clay (the kind you don’t have to bake is a lifesaver) and a straw. Have your child roll the clay into a ball and then shape it like a small bird or a little animal. The key is to keep it fairly solid.
Then, take the straw and poke a hole through the middle of the creature. You want the hole to go all the way through. You can wiggle the straw around a bit to widen it. Let the clay dry completely. Once it’s hard, blow into the hole! It makes a weird, whistling, chirping sound. It’s not exactly a flute, but to a 4-year-old, it’s basically them calling the animals. Fair warning: it can be a little high-pitched and grating after a while. Earplugs for you might be a good idea. :/
4. Seven (Not-So) Miners Sensory Bin
Sensory bins are my secret weapon for quiet time. For a Snow White theme, it’s all about creating a “mine” for the seven dwarfs. Grab a plastic tub and fill it with:
- Black beans or dyed rice (for the “rocks”)
- Small rocks or gravel (for texture)
- Little plastic gems from the dollar store (the “jewels”)
- Toy pickaxes or spoons (for “mining”)
- Seven small dwarf figures (or even just numbered rocks to represent them)
I poured everything in, hid the gems and the dwarfs, and let my kids go to town. They spent a solid hour digging, sorting, and narrating stories about which dwarf found which jewel. It’s amazing for fine motor skills, and it sparks so much imaginative play. Just put it on a towel. Trust me on this. Black beans will find their way to every corner of your kitchen.
5. Washing Day (Like Snow White!)
Okay, this one is pure genius. Remember how Snow White puts the dwarfs to work by making them wash their hands before dinner? Turn that chore into a game! I’m not above a little trickery to get things done.
Fill up your sink or a small tub with warm, soapy water. Give your kids a bunch of plastic dishes, cups, and utensils from their play kitchen. Or, if you’re brave, let them wash their own plastic cups and plates from lunch.
They get to splash and play, and they feel like they’re helping just like Snow White. I always throw in, “Let’s get these dishes sparkling for the dwarfs!” It’s a great way to introduce the idea of helping around the house without it feeling like a punishment. And hey, if a few of your own non-breakable items get a scrub, that’s a win.
6. Make a “Get Well Soon” Card for Grumpy
This activity is a great way to talk about feelings and kindness. In the story, Grumpy is, well, grumpy. But even he needs some love. This is a super simple craft that packs an emotional punch.
All you need is paper, crayons, and maybe some stickers. Talk to your kids about why Grumpy might be so grumpy. (My theory is he just needs a nap and a snack, same as me.) Then, have them make a “Get Well Soon” or “Feel Better Soon” card for him.
What would cheer Grumpy up? A picture of a giant gem? A drawing of him smiling? My daughter drew him a rainbow and a plate of cookies. It opened up a conversation about how sometimes people are grumpy because they’re sad or tired, and a little bit of kindness can make a big difference. It’s a simple, heartfelt craft.
7. Story Sequencing with Story Stones
This is a brilliant activity for building literacy and memory skills. You’re going to make story stones. Find some smooth, flat stones (or use wooden discs from a craft store). Use acrylic paint or even just markers to draw different symbols from the story:
- A red apple
- A castle
- A small bird
- A mining pickaxe
- A mirror
- A crown
Once the stones are dry, have your child use them to retell the story of Snow White. They can lay them out in order, pick up the “apple” stone when they get to that part, or use them as prompts. It’s a hands-on way to practice storytelling and narrative structure. Plus, they’re pretty cool to just keep in a little bag for story time on the go.
8. “Whistle While You Work” Upcycled Shakers
Musical instruments are always a hit, and these are so easy (and loud, sorry) to make. Start saving some empty plastic water bottles or small soda bottles. Make sure they’re clean and dry.
Then, raid your pantry and craft supplies. Let your kids fill their bottles with different things to make different sounds. You can use:
- Dried rice or beans
- Small pasta shapes
- Popcorn kernels
- Buttons or bells
Glue the lid on securely (a hot glue gun works best so little hands can’t open it). Decorate the bottles with stickers, washi tape, or markers. Now, whenever you put on the song “Whistle While You Work,” or really any music, they’ve got their own custom instruments to shake along with. Just be prepared for a lot of noise. I like to think of it as a live concert in my living room. A very, very loud concert.
9. Seven Dwarfs Memory Game
Forget buying a fancy, overpriced memory game. You can make your own in about ten minutes. Just grab some blank index cards or cut a piece of cardstock into small squares.
On two cards, draw a picture of Happy. On two cards, draw Sleepy. And so on, for all seven dwarfs. You can add the Queen, Snow White, and the Prince for an extra challenge. Don’t worry if you’re not an artist. Stick figures work perfectly! I label mine with the name, too, which is great for early readers.
The game is played just like classic memory. Lay all the cards face down and take turns flipping two over to find a match. It’s perfect for a quiet afternoon or a rainy day. Plus, it reinforces the names of the dwarfs, which I still sometimes mix up. (Bashful and Doc? They look alike, okay?!)
10. A Royal Kindness Challenge
This is my favorite activity because it focuses on the heart of the story—kindness. Snow White is kind to everyone, from the forest animals to the messy dwarfs. So, why not challenge your family to do the same?
Create a simple chart for the week. Maybe it’s a piece of paper with seven spaces, one for each dwarf. Every time someone in the family does an act of kindness (sharing a toy, helping with a chore without being asked, saying something nice), they get to put a sticker or a jewel in one of the spaces.
The goal is to fill up all seven spaces by the end of the week. When you do, you can celebrate with a special treat—maybe watch the movie together with some popcorn! It’s a tangible way to show kids that being kind is its own reward, but a little celebration doesn’t hurt either. IMO, this is the most important “activity” on the list. It makes the fairy tale real.
So, there you have it. Ten ways to bring the magic of Snow White off the screen and into your home. They’re fun, they’re a little messy, and they might just keep the kids busy long enough for you to finish a cup of coffee while it’s still hot. And isn’t that the fairest goal of all?
Do you have any other go-to fairy tale activities? I’m always on the lookout for new ideas, so drop them in the comments!
