3D Paper Snowman
Craft a 3D paper snowman using a really simple technique – paper strips! When you’re done, try this origami dove craft. This post contains affiliate links.
This adorable 3D snowman can stand on his own or alongside this paper Christmas tree to complete a winter village scene. The simple technique of using paper strips to form a ball and then turning that into a specific craft is a very versatile one. You’ll want to repeat it in other projects too!
This is my favorite type of craft: the kind that you can really customize to suit your purpose. You can use fabric scraps for the scarf, actual buttons and twigs, or whatever you have in your craft room, to finish off the base project.
While it’s definitely a kid-friendly craft, I recommend crafting a 3D paper snowman primarily with kids who are good with their hands. It is a functional craft, and so, while the concept is simple, you’ll want to stick with kids who will be able to follow instructions properly.
For younger kids, you can stick with something like the snow globe craft I have coming up shortly, where they can glue on pre-cut pieces.
What you need
- Construction Papers (black, white, orange)
- Red ribbon
- Double sided tape
- Hot glue gun – You probably want both adhesive options. Plain paper is easier to glue with double sided tape, but the more challenging elements can use some support from hot glue (adults only!)
- Pipe Cleaners (brown)
- Scissors
- Googly eyes
How to make a 3D Paper Snowman:
1. Cut paper strips, about 3/4 of an inch wide. You’ll need strips in two sizes. Determine the size by forming a loop – that’ll be the size of that tier of your snowman. Make it as large or as small as you’d like.
You need about 6-8 of the large strips and 3-4 of the small.
2. Start forming a circle by creating a plus with two large strips. Use double sided tape to connect them.
3. Fill in your plus sign by creating two X’s over it to evenly fill in the spaces. You should have a nice, full asterisk.
4. Take the two ends of your bottom strip. Connect them to form a loop, close with double sided tape. Repeat with each strip, connecting it to the strip below it as well. Create your smaller circle the same way, only with fewer strips and the smaller ones.
5. Attach the smaller circle on top of the larger one.
6. Craft your hat and buttons! Cut out a long rectangle of paper. It should be as long as the circumference of your hat – plus some extra for gluing. It should be about 1/2 cm. taller than the height of your hat. Cut out some buttons as well, and a hat brim that’s slightly larger than the circumference of the top portion.
7. Form a ring with the large rectangle.
8. Snip the bottom half cm at roughly 1/2 cm increments.
9. Add some double sided tape and stick it down centered on the hat brim circle.
10. Attach it to your small circle with double sided tape.
11. Make the nose: starting with an orange rectangle, roll it into a cone. Trim it flat and tape it onto your snowman’s face.
12. Tape on googly eyes and the buttons as well.
13. Cut pipe cleaners into arm-length pieces, plus two fingers. The fingers should be slightly longer than you want them.
14. Twist the fingers on either side of the arm, a bit below the top, so that the top little bit forms a third finger.
15. Fold back the end and glue it onto your snowman! Tie a ribbon scarf around its neck.
Your 3D paper snowman is complete!
PAPER SNOWMAN CRAFT
Materials
Tools
Instructions
1. Cut paper strips, about 3/4 of an inch wide. You'll need strips in two sizes. Determine the size by forming a loop - that'll be the size of that tier of your snowman. Make it as large or as small as you'd like.
You need about 6-8 of the large strips and 3-4 of the small.
2. Start forming a circle by creating a plus with two large strips. Use double sided tape to connect them.
3. Fill in your plus sign by creating two X's over it to evenly fill in the spaces. You should have a nice, full asterisk.
4. Take the two ends of your bottom strip. Connect them to form a loop, close with double sided tape. Repeat with each strip, connecting it to the strip below it as well. Create your smaller circle the same way, only with fewer strips and the smaller ones.
5. Attach the smaller circle on top of the larger one.
6. Craft your hat and buttons! Cut out a long rectangle of paper. It should be as long as the circumference of your hat - plus some extra for gluing. It should be about 1/2 cm. taller than the height of your hat. Cut out some buttons as well, and a hat brim that's slightly larger than the circumference of the top portion.
7. Form a ring with the large rectangle.
8. Snip the bottom half cm at roughly 1/2 cm increments.
9. Add some double sided tape and stick it down centered on the hat brim circle.
10. Attach it to your small circle with double sided tape.
11. Make the nose: starting with an orange rectangle, roll it into a cone. Trim it flat and tape it onto your snowman's face.
12. Tape on googly eyes and the buttons as well.
13. Cut pipe cleaners into arm-length pieces, plus two fingers. The fingers should be slightly longer than you want them.
14. Twist the fingers on either side of the arm, a bit below the top, so that the top little bit forms a third finger.
15. Fold back the end and glue it onto your snowman! Tie a ribbon scarf around its neck.
