Winter is the perfect time to work on all sorts of crafts and activities for your preschooler. When you’re stuck inside, try making a cotton ball snowman craft; it’s an easy winter craft idea for kids of all ages, even preschoolers and toddlers!
Recently, I made a winter sensory bin for my kids, and I grabbed extra cotton balls in case I didn’t have enough fake snow leftover from Christmas decoration. So, I had all these cotton balls sitting around, and I decided making a snowman was the perfect way to use them up.
Snowmen are always a favorite craft for kids, and they’re easy to make. You don’t even need a template to draw them since it’s only circles.
Let’s take a look at how to make this easy craft – your kids will love this!
Related: 17 Cute Paper Penguin Crafts: Winter Crafts for Toddlers & Preschoolers
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The Supplies Need to Make a Cotton Ball Snowman
- Construction Paper
- Foam Sheets
- Cotton Balls
- Googly Eyes
- Black Beads
- Black Markers
- Pipe cleaners
- Glue
Many of these items you may have at home already like construction paper and glue. It’s possible to substitute some of these items for things you have around the house if you’re creative!
Related: DIY Fake Snow For Sensory Play
For example, you can use popsicle sticks for the arms, and you might want some snowflake stickers to place around the snowmen. You could use buttons for the eyes and sub those for the beads as well if you have black beads on hand.
How to Make a Cotton Ball Snowman
Working on preschool crafts is a great way to work on your child’s fine motor skills. Not only does he need to spread the glue inside of the snowman, but he also has to pick up the cotton balls and google eyes with their pincher fingers and place them appropriately.
Making crafts is more than just fun – it’s educational!
Let’s take a look at how to make this easy cotton ball snowman craft.
Start by picking out a sheet of construction paper – whatever color your child wants will work but blue, eye, and grey fit well for winter time. Then, draw three circles with a black marker, each one smaller than the previous one.
Older children may be able to draw their own snowmen – make the decision for yourself if your child is ready for this step.
Now, give your child a glue stick and let her spread the glue in one circle at a time. Don’t do the entire snowman, or the glue will quickly dry up. Once she spreads the glue, place cotton balls in the circle, as many as possible, pressing down so that the glue grabs ahold of the cotton and sticks.
This step is my kids’ favorite and takes the longest. They typically take plenty of time deciding where to put all the cotton balls.
Once your cotton ball snowman is filled in, it’s time to add the details!
Start by applying glue to the back of the google eyes and having your child place them on the snowman’s face. Then, put glue on the back of the black beads and use the beads to create a smile below the eyes, leaving room for the nose.
You should also apply a few black beads down the snow man’s belly.
I suggest cutting out the nose and hat ahead of time, but you don’t have to do so. Use the orange foam to cut out a small triangle for a nose and a top hat.
Draw two arms for your snowman with the black marker, and use a pipe cleaner or foam to create arms.
That’s all you have to do!
Putting together a cotton ball snowman is easier than you think, making it the perfect winter craft for preschoolers and toddlers. Grab some cotton balls, glue, and construction paper; you’ll have adorable snowmen before you know it!