Winter Snowman Craft for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Are you looking for a fun, yet simple craft to share with your toddler or preschooler this winter season? This snowman craft has been tried and tested by my 3.5-year-old for the past two years now. He has a great time with this craft and when he's finished, we display his work on our window where the sun's light makes this snowman look wonderful and inviting.

What you'll need:

A large sheet of construction paper - any color (I chose blue this year to go with the colder weather).
Black construction paper
Scissors
Pen or pencil
Contact paper
Cotton balls
Tape

Step One
Your large sheet of construction paper is used to make the snowman figure itself. You can do this one of two ways. My preferred method is to fold the paper in half (be sure to fold the two longest sides together as you'll want this length for the snowman). Once folded, take your pen or pencil and trace three large circles to form the snowman's body. Then cut along your lines and unfold your sheet of paper. Remove the inside snowman that you have just cut to reveal your three large circular formations in the center of your construction paper that is now the backdrop for your toddler or preschoolers snowman. Please note that this may take a few tries and a few different sheets of paper if you choose to cut your snowman in this fashion. The second way you can make your snowman is by laying your large sheet of paper on a flat surface and simply tracing out three circles to make a snowman of your liking. Then poke a hold in the center of one of these circles and cut around your lines so as not to cut through the outside of your paper (you want your snowman in the center with no cut lines on the outside).

Step Two
Once you are done cutting your snowman from your large sheet of construction paper, cut a sheet of contact paper (found at any craft store or at Walmart) that will fill this snowman. Take the peel off your contact paper and lay the paper so the sticky side is facing up on the table. Gently lay your construction paper over your contact paper so the snowman portion is fully covered by the sticky contact paper.

Here is when you will also want to take a smaller sheet of black construction paper and cut out two circles for your snowman's eyes, a triangle nose and a mouth of your choosing. Also trace and cut out a hat, some buttons, and arms for your snowman as well. Once this is done, your toddler or preschooler is set to have their fun!

Step Three
Have your child sit at a table (or at any place with a hard surface that is easily accessible to your toddler or preschooler) and place your snowman in front of them. Sometimes I find that if I tape the sides of the construction paper with a few small pieces of tape to the table it enables my son not to have to worry about the paper slipping and sliding on the table. Once this is done, hand them the eyes, nose, mouth, and buttons and have them place these items where they think they should go on their snowman. Then take out some cotton balls and demonstrate to your toddler or preschooler how they're able to place the cotton ball on their paper and then lift it off as if they're "dotting" on their paper. My son and I actually say "dot, dot, dot" as we touch and lift the cotton balls on the contact paper. Pieces of cotton will stick to the contact paper as you lift it away leaving your snowman to look as if they're really made from snow :)

Step Four
When your child is done with their cotton balls, you can then have them place their snowman's arms and hat where they'd like them to go. Be sure that you have flipped your snowman over at this point so that the cotton ball/sticky contact paper portion is now on the surface of the table. Have them hold down the hat and arms as you tape them to the front of the snowman picture. You're done!

You're now ready to have your toddler or preschooler help you to tape their snowman to a window where they can show their work off for as long as you'd like.