Looking for a creative way to paint with kids? They’ll love painting with “snowballs” as they create snowman art.
There is something magical about children playing in the snow. They can hardly control their excitement as the white flakes fall down around them. There are so many fun winter activities to do, but today we’ll combine the excitement and energy of playing in the snow with an art activity, as we try painting with “snowballs”!
Your child’s imagination will run wild as styrofoam balls become snowballs! Little fingers will grab and grip each ball and hop, stamp, and jump across the paper to create snow people of all shapes and sizes. Put the paintbrushes away, grab a snowball and let it snow!
GET A FULL SET OF SNOWMAN THEME PRESCHOOL IDEAS WITH OUR PRINTABLE SNOWMAN LESSON PLANS
Painting Without Paintbrushes
As an elementary art teacher, I’ve found that my young learners are often very excited to paint using nontraditional painting tools. Whether dipping sponges, Q-tips, or feathers in paint there is often something freeing about the process of painting without paintbrushes.
Today as we dip Styrofoam balls in paint and stamp about, children will be engaged in imaginative play as they pretend to hold the cold, wet snowballs and make the snow pile high to form a snowman.
Materials
- Various size styrofoam balls
- Tempera paint
- Construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Sharpie
Step by Step Directions
Circle Time
Draw or trace three circles on a piece of paper to form the snowman. Identify what circle is the biggest and the smallest.
Let it Snow: Painting with Snowballs
Pick up a Styrofoam snowball and dip it into white paint. Hop on the circles and fill in each one. Dab the Styrofoam ball in the sky as well to add snowflakes. Let your artwork dry.
Build a Snowman
Create all the parts of a snowman such as the arms, hat, face, and scarf using construction paper details. Don’t forget the buttons! Add any additional details you like such as mittens and bows.
Use a Sharpie to add the mouth.
Also, check out these other snowman crafts for more snowman inspiration!
Talk About Art
- Which size Styrofoam ball did you enjoy painting with the most? Least? Why?
- Name your snowman.
- Identify all of the shapes and colors in your artwork.
Extend this Art Activity at Home
Create a Found Object Snowman using household items. This creative play art activity will have children exploring a variety of creative solutions. It is ideal for remote learning and home school art.
- Pick three plates and collect an array of objects from around the house including small toys, kitchen items, office supplies, and more!
- Identify parts of a snowman and sort the items into categories such as eyes, noses, mouths, hats, scarves, arms, and such.
- Create a snowman using the objects. Move the items around to see what works best! Have fun!
- Return the items where they belong.
Art & Literacy
I recommend the book Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner as a literary companion to this art activity. The book takes the reader on an overnight adventure to answer the question… What do snowmen do at night?
Ideas such as playing baseball, having a snowball fight, and sledding are explored in the book and can be incorporated into your child’s artwork.
Share your Artwork with Us!
On Instagram tag your snowmen with @fantasticfunandlearning and @youngschoolartwithmr.g so we can see your super snow people! Let us know if your child enjoyed painting with snowballs!
CONNECT WITH VIN GIANNETTO
Learn more about Vin here on his author bio page. Follow along with him on Facebook at Young School Art with Mr. Giannetto and on Instagram @youngschoolartwithmr.g for art project ideas.
MORE ART AND CRAFT PROJECT IDEAS FROM VIN
Creative Ways to Paint with Carrots
Build a Flower with Air Dry Clay
Decorate a Tree Loose Parts Play
Paper Sculpture Relief Ocean Craft
Recycled Art for Kids: Boats in the Sea
Printing Fall Leaves Art Project for Kids
Halloween Art for Kids: Flip the Painting Process
Tinfoil Process Art Christmas Ornaments
DIY Muffin Tin Maze Game STEM Challenge for Kids
Build a Small World with Nature
Sandcastle Texture Summer Art Project
Christmas Tree Craft Loose Parts
MORE SNOWMAN FUN WITH PRINTABLE SNOWMAN THEME LESSON PLANS
Save time and get right to the playful learning with our printable lesson plan sets. Each set includes over 30 playful learning activities related to the theme, and we’ve provided different versions for home preschool families and classroom teachers so all activities are geared directly toward your needs.
This set currently includes active hands-on learning ideas and the following printables:
1) Measure the Snowman Activity
2) Roll a Snowman Game
3) A to Z Build a Snowman Activity (focusing on uppercase, lowercase, and beginning sounds)
4) Snowman Pattern Cards
5) Roll and Cover Snowman Math Game Boards (focusing on counting sets and number recognition for numbers 1 to 12)
6) 1-20 Snowman Counting Mats
7) My Snowman Emergent Reader
8) 0-35 Snowman Counting and Calendar Number Cards
GET YOUR LESSON PLANS
Also available on Teachers Pay Teachers.
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