Teach Your Kids to Make the Perfect Snowman

It's a snow day. Your kids are climbing the walls. It's a perfect day to teach them how to build the perfect snowman. What do I know about making the perfect snowman? Well, I grew up in upstate NY, the snow capitol of the northeast. We were right on Lake Ontario. Ice and snow were king. In fact, they used to refer to our area as Alaska. I learned how to make a snowman at the age of three. Now that I'm 53, it's still one of my favorite winter activities.

Layer and bundle first of all. Your kids can't make the perfect snowman if they're freezing out there. Be sure to layer their clothes. Bundle them up good. Outer coats, boots and gloves should be waterproof. Inner layers should be warm and soft. Don't make clothes so tight they can't breathe or move though. Snowman construction is hard work.

Check the snow. Test it by Picking some up and trying to form a ball. If it sticks together, you're good to go. If it falls apart, crumbles or refuses to pack together, it's not going to work, no matter how skillful you are. Soft fluffy snow powder is not conducive to the perfect snowman. You need heavy, wet snow for this snow day activity. Don't take kids coats off yet, though.

What if you can't make the perfect snowman? What if your snow is too fluffy and dry? Well, luckily, there is something you can teach your kids to do anyway. Dry fluffy snow is perfect for snow angels. Have kids lay on their backs in the snow and flap their arms to form angel wings. Don't believe in angels? Make snow fairies instead.

Perfect snow for a snowman?

*Make three snowballs.

*Roll each around the yard picking up more snow as you go.

*Stop occasionally to pack and round accumulated snow.

*Your finished balls will need to be small, medium and large.

*One ball is the head, one is the body and one is the base.

*Smaller kids can be given head duty. They may not be strong enough to roll the larger balls.

*When you're done with the large ball, leave it where it sits.

*Place the medium ball on top of the large ball.

*Place the smaller ball on top of that.

*Pack snow into the gaps for stability.

Now finish your snowman. For the arms, you can use sticks. You can also form arms out of packed snow if you wish. Tie a colorful scarf around the snowman's neck. A carrot becomes the nose. Some people use buttons for eyes on snowmen; You can also use round river rocks. Form the smile with multiple rocks or buttons. An old hat tops off the perfect snowman. Use a nail to hold it on. We all know what happens to Frosty when he loses his hat.

More from Jaipi:

Making Snow Candy on a Snow Day

Fun Activities in the Snow

All About Ojibwe Wooden Snowshoes