How to Make a Paper Mache Snowman
(or Snowwoman!)

How to make a paper mache snowman is easy with this simple project guide.

From paper mache paste recipes to the finishing decorative touches, create a cool snowman or snowwoman. 

Use it to decorate your winter party table, or make one just for fun!

~ How to Make Paper Mache Snowman ~

GLAMOUR SNOWGIRL

MAKE A COOOOL SNOWMAN OR SNOWWOMAN!

Paper Mache Materials

PAPER MACHE PASTE RECIPES:

Recipe #1 - Mix one part all purpose flour with five parts water.  Add a tablespoon of salt as a preservative. In a pan on the stove, bring mixture to a boil on medium heat.   Simmer three minutes, remove from heat and let cool.  Refrigerate until ready to use.

Recipe #2 - Mix one part flour with 2 parts water until you have a consistency like thick glue. Add more water or flour as necessary. Squeeze out all the lumps and add a tablespoon of salt to help prevent mold.
 
Recipe #3 - Mix 3/4 cup white glue to 1/4 cup water

Recipe #4 - liquid starch found at your supermarket

~ How to Make Paper Mache Snowman ~

INSTRUCTIONS

Prepare Your Work Area

Prepare your work surface with a layer of newspaper you can discard, or an old plastic tablecloth you can wipe clean of goop and glops which are part of this messy project!

Tear several pages of newspaper into strips, approximately 1 inch wide by 6-8 inches long. Don’t try to be neat and cut them with scissors; the torn edges will adhere more closely and give a smoother overall surface to the finished project.

~ How to Make Paper Mache Snowman ~

Layer the Paper Mache on the Balloons

Blow up three balloons sized small, medium and large to resemble the head and body of a snowman.   Place each one in a shallow bowl to prevent it from rolling as you work on it.

Spray or brush on a light coating of vegetable oil to keep the balloons from adhering to the newspaper when you pop and remove them.

Dip a newspaper strip into the flour mixture to coat, and apply it to each balloon at an angle vertically, and overlapping. Continue this process until the entire balloon is covered, leaving a hole to accomodate the tied end.  Let the first layer dry completely.

Layer paper strips using paper mache paste

Cover 3 balloons of varying sizes for head and body

Remove balloons, cut open paper mache spheres, punch holes and attach arms

Attach the Arms

Enlarge the opening in the second largest (middle) sphere until the smallest (head) sphere fits snugly into it.  Poke a hole on each side of the middle sphere with scissors.  Thread a dowel through each hole and position them each pointing out at a 45 degree angle.  Secure dowels together inside the sphere with masking tape.  

Assemble balloons with hot glue & more paper strips

Paint snowman & place in box cover stand

Assemble the Body

Starting with the largest sphere, enlarge the opening until the second largest sphere fits snugly into it. 

Put a bead of hot glue around the edge of the opening and set the two spheres together to make the snowman's body. 

Place another bead of hot glue around the enlarged opening of the middle sphere and set the smallest (head) sphere into it. 

Add another layer of paper and paste at the seams between the spheres for strength.  Let dry completely.

You now have the basic snowman shape for your own unique snowman creation.

~ How to Make Paper Mache Snowman ~

Make a Box Cover Display Stand

You will need a stand to display your snowman while painting and decorating it.  It will also serve as a permanent display when it is finished.

Start with a box cover large enough to accommodate the finished snowman.  Cut a long piece of poster board, 6 inches wide and long enough to go around the bottom sphere of the snowman.

Form into a circle and staple securely.  Make cuts all around the circle, halfway up the strip.  Flare out the cut sections and flatten them against the center of the box cover.  Tape down with masking tape. 

Cover the taped area with packing fluff to resemble snow.  Set your snowman into the poster board circle.  It will look like it is sitting in the snow.

~ How to Make Paper Mache Snowman ~

Paint and Accessorize!

Now comes the creative part.  Raid your craft supplies and browse the local craft store for inspiration.  Colorful felt, pipecleaners, craft clay, pompoms and paints are just a few items you could use to accessorize your snowman.  Paint a face on it, add crepe paper hair and eyelashes - use your imagination!

My daughter Elizabeth decided to make a snowgirl instead of a snowman for a class project.  Her wonderful "Glamour Girl" snowgirl, constructed entirely of materials we found around the house or discounted at the craft store, is shown at the top of this page.  Here's how she did it:

~ How to Make Paper Mache Snowman ~

Make a Cooool Snowgirl!

Elizabeth hotglued curly yellow doll hair from the craft store all over snowgirl's head, first painting the area yellow in case there were any spots which didn't cover well.  We bought fake doll's eyelashes and earrings (discounted to 25 cents) at the craft store, as well as a fluffy pink boa. 

The boa was actually a chic pet collar, which was on close-out for $1.  She used a small white pompom for the nose, colored foil discs for the eyes, and painted the lips on with real lipgloss.  Snowgirl's sassy beret and stylish mittens were cut from powder blue felt and decorated with odds and ends from our craft box.

For snowgirl's clothes, Elizabeth cut a strip from an old jean skirt and added decorative lace along the hemline.  This was hotglued to snowgirl's body.  Elizabeth sacrificed a pink fabric pocketbook she no longer wanted to make snowgirl's glittery blouse.  A remnant of this fabric also made a little bed for the beanie baby kitten she added as snowgirl's pet.