How to Build a Snowman

Building a snowman provides an entertaining, creative way to get some fresh air on a lazy winter day. You'll need a few inches of snow on the ground; wear gloves or mittens.

Things You'll Need

• Spray Bottles
• Mittens For Everyone
• Scarves
• Snowman Kits
• Carrots
• Food Coloring
• Cameras
• Film
• Buckets

Instructions

1. Test to see if you have 'packing snow,' which clumps together easily and isn't too wet. The snow must pack to make a snowman.

2. Shape a handful of snow into a ball. Continue adding more snow and packing the ball until it's too large to hold.

3. Place the ball on the snow in front of you and slowly roll it away from you. As more snow accumulates on the outside of your ball, pack the snow by pressing on it with your gloved hands.

4. Roll and pack the ball over and over until it is the size you want for the bottom of the snowman's body.

5. Repeat for the midsection and head. The bottom should be the biggest ball, and the top should be the smallest.

6. Pack some extra snow between the layers to make them stick together. Place sticks down the center where the sections meet if your snowman is having trouble standing erect.

7. Give the snowman a face. Use coal, rocks, buttons or anything dark and round for the eyes. A horizontal stick or twig will make a good mouth, and a carrot is fine for the pointy nose. If you don't have a carrot, a banana or a candy cane will do the job.

8. Cover the top of his head with an old plant for hair, or give him a knit hat to wear. Top hats will blow away unless secured.

9. Add arms, legs and other accessories. Push sticks into the sides of the middle section and hang old mittens on the ends, then place boots at the bottom for legs. Also consider adding items such as a shirt, a scarf or sunglasses.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're having a hard time rolling and packing the snow into sections, try using buckets. Find three that are of descending size and pack them with snow, then upend them, dumping the snow from one bucket on top of the other.

• You can spray your snowman with colored water to add rosy cheeks.

• Your snowman's days are numbered, so take plenty of pictures.