❄️ 3-D Snowman Craft + Snowball Catapult Activity

A hands-on winter craft + STEM freebie (FREEBIE at BOTTTOM)

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3-D Snowman Craft Directions

Materials

• White paper

• Blue or winter-themed cardstock (background)

• Scissors

• Glue stick or liquid glue

• Buttons, paper, or markers (for face + details)

• Black paper (hat)

• Scrap paper or pipe cleaners (arms)

• Snowflake cutouts (optional)

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Step 1: Create the Snowman Body (3-D Effect)

1. Cut 4 identical circles for the bottom snowball and 4 identical circles for the middle snowball.

• (The bottom snowball should be larger than the middle.)

2. Fold each circle in half carefully so the crease is crisp.

3. For each section:

• Glue one folded half of a circle to one folded half of the next circle.

• Continue gluing until all 4 circles are attached, forming a round accordion-style 3-D ball.

4. Repeat for the second snowball section.

5. Glue both 3-D sections onto the background paper, stacking them vertically.

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Step 2: Add the Snowman Details

• Cut a small white circle for the head.

• Add:

• Button eyes or drawn eyes

• Paper carrot nose

• Paper scarf

• Black paper top hat

• Stick or drawn arms

• Decorate the background with snowflakes if desired.

✨ Skill-building bonus: cutting, folding, bilateral coordination, spatial awareness, and patience.

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☃️ Popsicle Stick Snowball Catapult (STEM Activity)

Materials

• 8 popsicle sticks

• Rubber bands

• Plastic spoon

• Cotton balls or pom-poms

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Step-by-Step Assembly

1. Stack 6 popsicle sticks neatly together.

• Secure them tightly with rubber bands on both ends.

2. Take 2 additional popsicle sticks:

• Rubber band them together on one end only, creating a hinge.

3. Place the plastic spoon between the two loose ends of the hinged sticks.

• Secure the spoon with a rubber band.

4. Slide the stack of 6 popsicle sticks in between the hinged sticks, close to the rubber-banded end.

5. Press down on the spoon and release to launch your “snowballs”!

🧠 Learning concepts: force, tension, cause & effect, and basic engineering.

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⛄ Snowman Squishy (Sensory Add-On)

Materials

• White balloon

• White Play-Doh

• Sharpie marker

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Directions

1. Fill the balloon with white Play-Doh.

2. Carefully tie the balloon closed.

3. Use a Sharpie to draw:

• Eyes

• Nose

• Snowman face details

💙 Sensory benefits: stress relief, hand strength, emotional regulation.

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🌟 Tips for Parents & Educators

• Let children help problem-solve if the snowman doesn’t stand flat.

• Encourage predictions before launching snowballs.

• Ask open-ended questions:

• What happens if we press harder?

• Why do you think it flew farther this time?