Does your family love snowmen but live somewhere without snow? Or your snow won’t pack into those perfect snowman-building balls. Don’t worry! We have some fantastic alternatives to let you and your kids create adorable snowmen any time of the year.
Working with Unpacking Snow
Snow Drawing Snowman
Perfect for powdery snow that won’t pack, this method lets you create a charming snowman design:
- Find a flat area with deep, unpacked snow
- Using a long stick or pole:
- Draw a large circle for the base
- Draw a medium circle above it for the middle
- Top it off with a smaller circle for the head
- Use the stick to “draw” or dig out the circles more deeply into the snow
- Clear away excess snow between the circles to make the snowman shape stand out
- Add traditional decorations:
- Place a real hat and scarf on your snow drawing
- Push buttons, stones, or coal into the snow for features
- Add real sticks for arms
- Use a carrot for the nose
This technique works great because:
- No snow packing is required
- It’s perfect for very powdery snow
- You can create multiple snowmen easily
- Kids can help draw and decorate
- The result looks like a snowman rising from the snow!
Indoor Snowman Crafts
Cotton Ball Snowman
Transform fluffy cotton balls into an adorable mini snowman! You’ll need:
- White cotton balls
- Glue
- Construction paper
- Buttons or small craft items for decorating
Simply glue cotton balls in a snowman shape on dark paper, then add tiny buttons, a paper carrot nose, and stick arms. Kids love the tactile experience of handling the soft cotton balls!
Sock Snowman
Give old white socks new life as cuddly snowmen! Fill a clean white sock with rice or beans, tie off sections to create the body and head, then decorate with buttons, ribbon, and felt pieces. These make wonderful winter decorations or gifts.
Outdoor Alternatives
Sand Snowman
Beach days can become snowman-building days! Slightly damp sand packs just like snow. Build three spheres like a traditional snowman, then decorate them with shells, seaweed, and driftwood. Don’t forget to take pictures – these snowmen melt away with the tide!
Rock Snowman
Collect three increasingly larger rocks and stack them vertically. Paint them white or leave them natural, then add personality with painted features or stick-on decorations. These durable snowmen can become permanent garden friends!
Kitchen Snowman Fun
Marshmallow Snowman
Stack large marshmallows on a plate and use icing to hold them together. Decorate with mini chocolate chips for buttons, an orange sprinkle for the nose, and add a scarf with twizzlers, and pretzel sticks for arms. Best part? This snowman is edible!
Rice Ball Snowman
If you’re looking for a healthy alternative, shape sticky rice into balls to create a sushi-style snowman. Use nori (seaweed) for the face and buttons, and carrots for the nose. This makes lunchtime extra fun!
Tips for Success
- Always supervise young children when using small decorative items
- Choose materials appropriate for your child’s age group
- Make cleanup easier by working on a covered surface
- Take photos of your creations to remember them
- Let kids get creative with decorating – there’s no “wrong” way to make a snowman!
Remember, the joy of building a snowman isn’t just about the snow – it’s about creating memories together as a family. These alternatives can be just as fun as the real thing, and some might even last longer!
Snowmen Read aloud
What’s your favorite way to build a snowman without snow? Share your creations with us in the comments below!
Family Activities 