How to Build a Snowman

Building a snowman can be a great afternoon activity to keep fit, while keeping all the children entertained.  It can also be quite the creative way to get some fresh air on a lazy winter day.

The traditional method of building a snowman is to roll three balls: one large, one medium, and one small.  The large one can be used for its base, the medium ball for its body, and the small ball for its head.  To follow are basic steps that should be followed when building a snowman.

1. In order to be successful at building a snowman, you need to have 'packing snow.' Test to see if you have some, which clumps together easily and isn't too wet. The snow must pack to make a snowman.
2. Shape a handful of snow into a ball. Continue adding more snow and packing the ball until it's too large to hold.
3. Place the ball on the snow in front of you and slowly roll it away from you. As more snow accumulates on the outside of your ball, pack the snow by pressing on it with your gloved hands.
4. Roll and pack the ball over and over until it is the size you want for the bottom of the snowman's body.
5. Repeat for the midsection and head. The bottom should be the biggest ball, and the top should be the smallest.
6. Pack some extra snow between the layers to make them stick together. Place sticks down the center where the sections meet if your snowman is having trouble standing erect.

Decorating the Snowman

You should now have the basic shape of your snowman. To make him look unique, you will need to decorate him. This section of the project is when you can utilize your creative energies to finish to project of building a snowman.

Arms

You can make arms by finding two sticks and inserting one either side of his body so that they stick out. Do this carefully so that he doesn't break apart when you stick the stick in. Alternatively, you can mould arms out of snow by simply adding bulges to his sides. You also have the option of leaving him armless, if you wish.

Eyes and Mouth

When traditionally building a snowman, these are made from small lumps of coal. Three are inserted down his front for buttons, two in his face for eyes, and a row are made into a smile for a mouth. However as most people no longer have lumps of coal at hand, stones, buttons, or pebbles can be used instead.

Nose

While building a snowman, the most common nose used for a snowman is a carrot. If you opt for the carrot nose, try to avoid breaking the snow as you insert the nose. If you don't have a carrot, you can improvise by using a piece of coal, a stone, a fir cone, or even a tangerine. If you're feeling extremely creative, you can sculpt a nose out of snow.

Clothing

Various items of clothing can be used to make your snowman look more human. Scarves and hats are the most common items to dress a snowman with.

Alternative Methods of Building a Snowman

If you and don't want to go through the hassle of actually building a snowman, and instead want to focus on a snowman decoration, then you might want to consider a snowman mold.  Sold at local retailers, a snowman mold will allow you to quickly pack snow into a preformed mold.  With the shape of the snowman already sculpted, the children are free to dress the snowman, color the snowman with the marker and coloring kit (included), and add accessories to the snowman.

Finally, for the person who completely detests the wintertime, there is a way to build a virtual snowman online, without even leaving the confines of your own house!

However you build yours, building a snowman can be an extremely fun project.  Enjoy the wintertime, while it lasts!