Salt Dough Snowmen Kids Can Make for Winter or Christmas

Salt dough snowmen are one of the most adorable holiday crafts to create with kids! These charming keepsakes are perfect for adding a personal touch to your holiday décor or gifting to sentimental moms who will treasure them for years. Let’s dive into how you can make these delightful snowmen with your little ones.

What You Need to Get Started

Creating salt dough snowmen is both fun and simple. Here’s everything you need:

Materials:

Buttons (optional, for decoration)

Salt Dough Ingredients:

1 cup salt
1 cup plain flour
Up to 1 cup water (added gradually)

Additional Supplies

White tempera paint
Fine iridescent glitter
Sticks (for arms)
Felt (for hats)
Ribbon (for scarves)
Fabric paint in squeeze bottles (for faces)
Hot glue gun (low temp recommended for kids)

We started with salt dough as a sensory/play dough activity. Then, we created our basic snowman shape.

How to Make a Salt Dough Snowman

1: Make the Salt Dough

Mix 1 cup of salt and 1 cup of plain flour in a bowl.
Gradually add water until the dough is pliable but not sticky.

2: Shape the Snowmen

Roll the dough into varying-sized balls and stack them to create a snowman shape.
Encourage creativity—some kids may use four balls instead of three for extra cuteness!
Push stick pieces into the sides for arms. The dough will hold together without glue.

3: Dry the Snowmen

Let the salt dough creations air-dry for about a week. If you’re on a tighter schedule, use a low-temperature oven to speed up the drying process.

4: Paint and Add Glitter

Allow them to dry thoroughly, usually within a few hours.
Once dry, paint the snowmen with white tempera paint.
While the paint is wet, sprinkle fine iridescent glitter to add a magical touch.

Glue a ribbon under the snowman’s hat to make it a snowman salt dough ornament.

Decorating Your Salt Dough Snowmen

Adding Details:

Arms: Reinforce the stick arms with hot glue if they feel loose.
Scarves: Tie ribbons around the necks; add a dab of glue to keep them secure.
Faces: Use fabric paint to add cheerful expressions.
Buttons: Glue on small buttons for an extra decorative flair.

Crafting Felt Snowman Hats:

Finally, glue the hat onto the snowman’s head.
Cut a circle of felt for the base.
Cut a long strip, roll it into a cylinder, and glue the ends together to form the hat’s body.
Attach a small circle to the top of the cylinder and glue it to the base.

Why Salt Dough Snowmen Are a Perfect Winter Craft

Salt dough snowmen are a delightful mix of creativity and keepsake. While the process requires some drying time, the results are well worth the wait. These handmade snowmen are fun to create and make heartwarming gifts and cherished decorations.

Salt dough snowmen are a festive way to create lasting holiday memories with your kids. Gather your supplies and start crafting today—the results will be spectacular!