How to Make a Paper Mache Snowman

It is not difficult to make a paper mache snowman, and it’s a great craft for kids during the winter months.  This project will take more than one day, since the paper mache takes time to dry. Like many crafts for kids, adult supervision is advised for making the paper mache paste and using the glue gun.  The following materials make one paper mache snowman, so if you want to make more, plan accordingly.

Materials

2 latex balloons
1 old newspaper
½ cup flour
3 tablespoons sugar
4 cups cold water
Construction paper (black, red, and orange)
Glue gun with glue sticks
White paint
Paintbrush
Masking tape or painter’s tape

Optional Materials

Plastic craft eyes
Felt ribbon
Buttons

First Things First

Start by making the paste for the paper mache. Boil two cups of water and then add in the flour and two cups of cold water.  Bring the mixture to a boil again, then turn the heat off and stir in the sugar as the mixture cools.  While the paste finishes cooling, rip the old newspaper into shreds that are 1-2 inches wide.    

Making the Snowman's Body

Next, inflate both of the balloons.  One should be smaller than the other; the smaller balloon will be the top of the snowman.  You will now need to cover the balloons with paper mache.  Dip the strips of newspaper in your paste and cover the surfaces of both balloons.  Allow the paper mache to dry overnight.  Cover and refrigerate the paste to preserve it.

Once the paste is dry, you will need to tape the two balloons together.  When the balloons are secured, apply another layer of paper mache, entirely covering both balloons.  If the paste you refrigerated is no longer fluid and tacky, you will need to make a new batch.  When this new layer of paper mache has dried, you can paint the paper mache white.  The balloons may have deflated by this point, but the paper mache should continue to hold its shape.  Once the paint has dried, you can begin to decorate your snowman.

Decorating Your Snowman

Start by making the stovepipe hat.  Cut out a circle and a thick strip of black construction paper.  Curve the strip to create a cylinder and glue it closed.  You can now glue the cylinder to the circle of paper, which can then be glued to the top of the snowman’s head.  

The next step is to create the eyes.  If you have plastic craft eyes, you may use those, or simply cut out two small circles of black construction paper and glue them in place.  To make the nose, roll a strip of orange paper into a cone and glue it shut.  You can then glue the open end onto the snowman’s face.  To make the mouth, cut out very small circles of black construction paper and glue them into place.  

Create a scarf with a strip of red construction paper or some felt ribbon, and either tie it or glue it around the snowman’s neck, where the balloons are attached to each other.  The last step is to add three buttons down the front of the snowman’s body.  You can use real buttons or circles of construction paper and glue them on.  Now that your snowman is complete, you can go outside and build a real one!