Did you know building a snowman is a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages? Even Michelangelo, the famous Renaissance sculptor, was commissioned in 1494 to create a snowman in a mansion courtyard in Florence!
Is it snowing outside right now? Or you just can’t wait for it to snow so you can build a snowman of your very own? Either way, you might be seeking some great tips to build a snowman.
Whether it’s snowing outside right now or you’re just dreaming of the next snowfall, let’s walk through how to build the perfect snowman.
Things you Need for a Snowman
- Snow
- Carrot for the nose
- Branch for arms
- Buttons or rocks for eyes
- Accessories
- Gloves or mittens to keep your hands warm
- Friends and family to help you lift and roll
- Bonus: ears to look like the Wiley version of a snowman
Steps to make a snowman
- Find a spot for your snowman to stay. Pick a shady area—direct sunlight will melt your snowman quickly, but a shady spot will help it last much longer!
- Look for snow that’s slightly wet and packable (not too powdery or too slushy). If it’s too dry, you can add a light mist with a garden hose.
- Pack a snowball with your hands to start off the bottom part of the snowman’s body. For the sturdiest snowman, follow the 3-2-1 ratio: aim for about 3 feet wide for the bottom, 2 feet for the middle, and 1 foot for the head. Start with a snowball about one foot wide and keep going until the snowball is one about foot wide or gets too heavy.
- Roll the snowball in all directions, round it out and make it bigger. The bigger the ball of snow, the bigger the snowman’s body is. Make sure to pat the snowball once in awhile so it sticks and doesn’t loosen up.
- Do the same for the middle section of the snowman but make sure it is slightly smaller than the bottom section.
- Repeat for the head
- Pack some snow in between each section so it blends, and the snowman can have a sturdy structured body.
- Stick the carrot in for the nose, branches for the arms and add in your snowman’s eyes and mouth!
- Bonus points if you shape special ears for your snowman to make it look like Wiley.
- Get creative with accessories! Use items from around the house like hats, scarves, or buttons. Dark stones work great for eyes and mouth, sticks make perfect arms, and you can even add a shovel for extra detail.
We hope you had fun building your snowman! Of course, we know not everyone lives in cold climates. We’re not leaving you out! Don’t forget to share your snowman creations with us on social media using #GWLsnowman—we’d love to see your Wiley-inspired snowmen!
Find more winter facts on the Great Wolf blog as you wait for the snow to come.
