Winter Crafts: Styrofoam Ball Snowman

Create a winter craft Styrofoam ball snowman for a Christmas decoration for the home. Use larger Styrofoam balls to make larger snowmen for the outdoors or the porch or deck area. This winter craft, except for the use of the knife, can be made by children.

The Styrofoam ball snowman can be made as a preschool winter craft. This winter craft can be made as part of an art project.

Materials for the Styrofoam Ball Snowman

3 different sized Styrofoam balls. Three different sizes of Styrofoam balls will make one snowman. The sizes of balls will be one size smaller for each of the sections of the snowman.

Toothpicks. Five to six toothpicks will help stabilize the head and body of the snowman. One toothpick will help to attach the model clay nose to the head of the snowman.

Glue. All-purpose school glue will work for gluing the three Styrofoam balls together, eyes, mouth, buttons, and to attach the glue to the balls.

Pom Poms. Any color of pom poms will work for making the buttons for the front of the snowman. Two small black pom poms will work for the eyes and mouth of the snowman.

Hat. The top hat for the snowman could be from any Ken doll fashion accessories. If a stocking cap in the same size is available, it will work as well.

Orange Model Clay. A small piece of orange model clay will make the nose for the snowman.

Glitter. Silver or opalescent plastic glitter will help make the snowman look like snow. The opalescent plastic glitter looks more like snow than silver glitter.

Batting. (Optional). The batting can be stuffed into the top hat or stocking cap to help keep it in shape. Also, the batting can be used around the bottom of the snowman to create mounds of snow around the bottom snowman.

Knife or cutting instruments. The knife or cutting instrument will cut the Styrofoam balls to create an even surface to help keep the balls together.

Two Small Twigs. Use the twigs for the arms of the snowman.

Building the Styrofoam Ball Snowman

NOTE: Only two cuts per Styrofoam ball will be needed for this step. Read the next paragraph very carefully.

Use the knife to cut of a small section of the curve to make a flat surface on the top and bottom of the three balls. About a half inch to one inch will only need to be cut from each of the balls. Except for the top of the Styrofoam ball for the head because the cap or hat will sit on top of the ball. This will enable the snowman to stand upright and to enable the three balls to stay connected.

In the top of the bottom and middle Styrofoam balls, place one or two toothpicks into the ball. Cover the bottom ball completely with glue. The toothpicks don’t have to be covered with glue. Roll the Styrofoam ball in the opalescent plastic glitter; cover completely. Repeat this for the other two Styrofoam balls. Let the balls dry before proceeding.

When the glitter Styrofoam balls are dry, place more glue around the flat area where the toothpicks have been placed in the two balls for the lower part of the snowman. Place the second ball onto the bottom one. Place the top ball on top of the other two balls.

Place the pom pom eyes, mouth, and buttons onto the snowman. Insert the twig arms into the sides of the second ball.

Making the Nose

Take a small piece, about a half inch, of the orange modeling clay and roll it into the shape of a cone. Break a toothpick in half. Insert one end into the cone-shaped nose. Place a drop or two of glue onto the nose and insert the other end of the toothpick in between the eyes and mouth.

Glue the top hat or stocking cap on the top of the head of the snowman. Straight pins can be used instead of the glue for the hat or cap.

Place fluffed batting around the bottom of the snowman to create a snow mound effect. This can be done after a place for the snowman has been chosen. The batting doesn’t have to be glued to the snowman.