Fun winter crafts are a great way to make some holiday memories this winter! It doesn’t get any more fun than this adorable Snowman Puppet made with paper plates and popsicle sticks. It’s a cute winter activity that kids of all ages can enjoy making and it’s a fun way to get creative and try out some pretend play.
The best part is you can use the easy template included in this article for free to make your own snowman puppet at home or in the classroom. Let’s get started!
- Table Of Contents:
Why This Snowman Puppet Craft is Great
Crafting the snowman puppet is like creating a burst of winter magic without the chilly toes! This craft isn’t just fun; it’s a cool combo of joy and subtle brainpower. This type of winter craft is great for fine motor skill development and boosting your kid’s creativity and imagination.
Snowman Craft Materials:
- Paper plates
- Popsicle stick
- White and blue paint
- Paintbrush
- Black, white and orange construction paper
- Markers
- Scissors
- Glue (or double sided tape)
Instructions:
Step 1)
Paint one whole paper plate blue and let it dry.
Step 2)
Paint small white snowflakes or dots on the blue plate.
Step 3)
Cut a second paper plate in half, then trim the flat part of this plate to look like a hill. Paint the backside of this plate white (the part you wouldn’t eat off).
Attach the edges of the white paper plate half to the blue paper plate using glue or staples. Leave a space in the bottom middle of the plates to slide the popsicle stick into later.
Step 4)
Print the snowman template included in this article.
Step 5)
Use the template to trace two circles of white construction paper and attach them together to form the snowman’s body.
Step 6)
Either draw the snowman face with black and orange marker (black coal eyes and orange carrot nose) or cut out the eyes from black construction paper and the nose from orange construction paper then attach them with a glue stick.
Step 7)
Use the template to trace then cut out the top hat and arms from black construction paper and attach them to the snowman body using double-sided tape or glue.
Step 8)
Attach the construction paper snowman to the popsicle stick with glue or double-sided tape.
Step 9)
Slide the snowman puppet stick into the decorated paper plates and make your fun craft dance around!
Template Download
Use the free printable template to trace and cut out the printable snowman puppet pieces. This template is for your own personal use only. You can print it at home on regular paper or on light card stock at your local print shop.
Tips & Troubleshooting
Protect Your Space: Consider covering your work area with a washable tablecloth or some newspaper before you begin. This not only makes cleanup easier but also ensures your surfaces stay paint-free and ready for the next artistic adventure.
Kid-Friendly Paint: Opt for non-toxic and washable paint, especially if you have little ones joining in the crafting fun. This will make accidents like paint on clothing or skin worry-free.
Glueing Tips: When you’re attaching the two plates together if your glue doesn’t quite do the trick, consider reinforcing it with staples. Remember to leave a little space for the popsicle stick snowman to slide in smoothly from the top.
Stapling Tips: If you’re using staples to secure the two plates, ensure you leave space for the popsicle stick, giving your puppet the freedom to move.
Variation Ideas
Want to change up this craft and try some other variations? Here are some ideas you can try out with your own puppet to make it feel more unique.
Instead of black and orange construction paper, you can use white cardstock paper and orange and black paint or markers. This will make your craft even more of a coloring project. You could also use googly eyes to make the snowman’s face more silly.
Change up the scenery! Instead of a blue snowy background, what other places can you imagine for your snowman to live? You could also add cotton balls, cotton pads, or white pom poms to the snowy ‘hill’ that your puppet dances on top of for this snowman craft activity.
Benefits of This Snowman Puppet Craft
Fine Motor Skills Development:
Engaging in the steps of painting, cutting, and assembling the snowman puppet stimulates the fine motor skills of little hands. Children refine their hand-eye coordination and precision, crucial for various activities both in and out of the crafting world.
Creative Expression and Imagination:
From crafting the snowman’s face to deciding on the scenery, this activity promotes creative expression and imagination. Children can personalize their snowman, experimenting with facial features and envisioning unique environments for their puppet to explore with this fun Christmas craft.
Social and Emotional Development:
Collaborative crafting experiences, such as discussing color choices or sharing ideas for the puppet’s story, contribute to social and emotional development. It nurtures communication skills, cooperation, and a sense of accomplishment when the puppet comes to life.
Storytelling and Narrative Skills:
Bringing the snowman puppet to life prompts storytelling opportunities. Children can invent adventures for their puppet, enhancing narrative skills and expanding their vocabulary as they describe the snowman’s escapades.
Puppetry and Gross Motor Skills:
Once the puppet is complete, the real fun begins! Manipulating the popsicle stick snowman within the paper plate stage encourages gross motor skills. Children can create their puppet shows, fostering creativity and physical coordination.
Seasonal Awareness:
Crafting a snowman puppet provides an opportunity to discuss the winter season, snow, and the traditions associated with it. This not only broadens the child’s knowledge but also instills an understanding of the changing seasons and the world around them.
Final Thoughts
This snowman friend is the perfect addition to your pretend play with young kids this holiday season. As the temperatures drop and snowy days become the norm, engaging in cold weather activities like a themed puppet show can be so much fun and a great addition to your lesson plans or weekends with kids. Craft projects, especially when coupled with this puppet craft template, transcend the ordinary; they become cherished moments of creativity, skill-building, and joyful storytelling.
Embrace the magic of crafting, let your snowy day be filled with laughter, and watch as this snowman puppet becomes part of your festive and educational adventures. Happy crafting!
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