Cut and glue snowman art makes a great snowman art activity for preschoolers. Scratch that. It makes a fun art activity for toddlers and Kindergarteners too. It was cold, we had already been outside, watched a movie, and we needed a simple idea to wind down before dinner. Snowman art saved the day and helped me prep dinner.
RELATED: Inside this winter more than you’d like to be? Us too. This is why I created the best 40 winter activities for kids list.
Why snowmen?
When I think of winter, memories of making snowman rush into my mind. Growing up in the northeast, snow was abundant. Where we live now, we can only hope for a simple flurry to pull the snow pants out buried in the closet.
So we do our best to create some wintery magic with what we have to work with. We have winter books to read and paper to make. It seems like we are meeting winter halfway with this one!
RELATED: Speaking of snowmen, I thought it would be fun to put together a list of 10 snowman activities for kids.
A BUNDLE OF OUR BEST RESOURCES
it’s like Mary Poppin’s bag – full of great ideas to inspire you and your kids with play!
You get an amazing bundle including:
- The Starter Guide to press restart on your days.
- 2 Sets of Activity Cards for activities when you need them.
- The WONDER Course: More Play, Less Stress for You and Your Child.
How I varied this winter art idea for each age
I needed a quick win! My toddler, preschooler, and the big kid needed to be involved in this snowman activity, so I could chat with them from the sidelines as I mashed potatoes for dinner.
My toddler used precut shapes and glued them on his snowman how he saw fit.
I noticed my preschooler used some of the precut shapes and added some of his own by cutting out the scraps of construction paper I left on the table.
My first grader took this on in his direction. The result was adorable with his personalized zig-zagged scarf around the neck.
Both gluestick and liquid glue are terrific ways to help improve pencil grip and strengthen fine motor skills.
RELATED: Scissors and kids can feel scary. I get it! Try these 25+ cutting activities for toddlers and preschoolers to get everyone more comfortable.
We started our day with this snowman shape build.
We like to call these invitations to play Breakfast Invitations.
Breakfast invitations are simple setups that engage creativity and connection first thing in the morning. The kids create, eat breakfast, and run off to play. It has been something I hold onto to set the intention for the day.
And I promise it is low-prep, leaving us working smarter than harder. There are three steps to take for a smarter morning routine.
RELATED: Why Google activities for kids when you can have activity cards at your fingertips?
Steps to set up
I quickly put out the snowman supplies the night before.
- First, tape the white paper vertically to the table.
- Next, outline the snowman. I left the paper blank for my first grader.
- Then, quickly cut out some simple shapes and place them on the table with the other pieces of construction paper.
- The rest of the night was for me to relax. I knew I had tomorrow morning covered after this simple setup. They could create as I sipped my coffee (hot). Imagine that!
- Invite your child to create a snowman when they wake up.
RELATED: Just introducing playdough to your child and want to use something other than paper? Here is how to practice cutting with playdough.
Supplies
When I set up low-prep activities for kids, I like to keep the art supply list super simple. There is no time to run off to JoAnn for felt and googly eyes at 8 PM. Keep a few go to items in your art cart or in your junk drawer to use when needed.
RELATED: Here are 40+ art activities for kids.
Days with Grey participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.
White Construction Paper
Glue Sticks
Construction Paper
KKid’sScissors
How this snowman activity went
The next morning I watched all three of my boys cut and create the sweetest snowmen. And look, my kids are pretty high-energy. Something about art calms them down to a place where I can catch my breath. It was the indoor activity we needed.
My toddler even took it upon himself to cut his own shapes and add some personal touches to the snowman. HHe’shad plenty of scissor practice, so he felt confident in his design. This is why we introduce scissors early to children. We want them to focus on the activity and not spend the time feeling frustrated with finger placement.
My preschooler kept things simple. He added a few shapes and was done.
My first grader added many details to his snowman, claiming it was a police officer snowman. He really took the idea and ran with it!
Where to display your snowman art
I get it. Not everyone wants three giant-sized snowmen on their refrigerator. Also, no one is judging if they head to the recycle bin. My meet them in the middle of the road art display is typically their bedroom doors. My children love walking into their bedrooms and seeing what they have created.
I compiled a few easy ways to display kid’s artwork at home for those looking for ideas.
FAQ
Here me out on this one. I introduce scissors around two years old. But before it feels like you need to run away from my advice, know that I am not just handing them over and unloading the dishwasher. Find how to introduce scissors to kids here.
Get Blunt-Edged Scissors: Find blunt-edged kid scissors for your child to practice with. Show and Tell: Show your child the scissors and explain what the scissors are used for. Invite your child to practice: Hand the scissors to your child. If willing, help position the hands. If not willing, keep kid scissors available for more practice. You will see improvements in grip over time. Smiley Face Thumbnail Trick: If your child needs help holding the scissors, place a smiley face on the thumbnail (pictured below) to encourage the thumb to stay up when cutting. Walking with Scissors: Show your child how to walk with scissors and where to put the scissors away after cutting. Create a Curiosity-Friendly Space: Allow scissors to be accessible. You can set limits or boundaries when using the scissors, but making child-friendly scissors part of the everyday routine helps with cutting curiosity.
This list of 40 winter activities for kids. These winter ideas are divided into four categories: outdoor snow play, winter art activities, indoor winter play ideas, and a winter book list.
