Why are snowflakes shaped like stars?
A snowflake starts as a tiny speck of ice, high up in a cloud.
Pip’s answer
- A snowflake starts as a tiny speck of ice, high up in a cloud.
- Water freezes onto it in six arms, because that is how ice likes to fit together.
- Every flake takes its own bumpy trip, so no two look exactly the same, buddy!
Try it together
Can you hold your arms out wide like a snowflake?
For grown-ups
Snowflakes form when water vapor freezes directly onto a tiny particle in a cloud. Water molecules lock together in a hexagonal pattern, so ice crystals naturally grow with six sides or six arms. Each flake meets slightly different temperature and humidity on its fall, which is why their shapes vary so much.
Ask your child: Can you count the arms on a snowflake picture?
More questions kids ask
- ❄️Why is it cold in winter?
- 🌧️Why does it rain?
- 🫧Why are bubbles round?
- 🌤️Why is the sky blue?
- 🌅Why are sunsets orange?
- 🌈Why are there rainbows?
Got your own why?
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