Magnetic Snowman Craft
We have done a few of these projects before ( robot and haunted house) and they are always a huge hit with my son as well as readers. Although it hasn’t snowed here in ages, I know that many of you are snowed in and thought I’d do one more snow themed craft. Our magnetic snowman craft has no arms because we forgot them and by the time I remembered my son just wanted to play with him so they were clearly superfluous.
- Gather your materials. I am using sticky back foam, it’s easy to use and mostly eliminates the need for glue. Also scissors, self adhesive magnets ( please be careful and supervise even older kids with magnets, any child that is still putting things in their mouth should not be using the button magnets. Instead use the magnetic strips that do not pose as great a swallowing risk. ), a marker and some glue if like me you are reusing magnets and their sticky back is gone! You will also need a cookie sheet or a magnetic surface to play.
- Start by tracing the snowman shapes. 3 circles from the white foam. Cut out.
- Trace and cut out a hat , coal pieces and boots from the black foam
- Cut out a nose and arms from the gold foam ( or any color really, we had gold on hand)
- Finally cut out buttons from the blue foam.
- Start by assembling the snowman’s face. Stick the nose on.
- Add the eyes and mouth from the coal pieces.
- Add the buttons on the other white circles – as you can see my son opted for all on one , which is perfectly awesome.
- While they are adding the features, glue or stick the magnets on. You will want one on the boots, hat, each section of the snowman and arms if you made them. If you can avoid it don’t glue it took hours for ours to dry. I ended up taking these final pics before it was dry and my son didn’t get to play with it until almost bedtime.
- Let dry and play!
Books
written by Shirley Neitzel, illustrated by Nancy Winslow Parker
published by Greenwillow Books
rebus picture book (baby to preschool)
Similar to the story structure and rhyme of “The House that Jack Built”, this story builds with each layer of clothes. As a new article is added, it’s given extra emphasis on its own page, then beside it lists the other clothing elements already included. The repetitive text and the rebus images make for a consistent and predictable story, great for beginning readers. Children will be able to read parts of the story and enjoy predicting the clothing that comes on next. This is a great way to introduce winter clothing vocabulary too. Be warned, you kids may take to repeating all or parts of the rhyme when getting dressed to go out
( reviewed by Carrie Anne)
Snowman in Paradise by Michael Roberts is genius. There I said it. I very rarely think that of books. I like the majority of books I read and think there are so many good ones to share but I don’t want to return this one to the library, I want to keep it! The book is about a snowman from Manhattan who is glum after Christmas and wants to go on a vacation too. A magical bluebird grants his wish and he flies first class to a tropical island , with the only rule being he needs to come back in time for Christmas next year. This book is written like the traditional “Night Before Christmas” and although I thought the copy would be too long for my son at first , I was so wrong. The rhymes are unique , my favorite being :
In May after splashing with buckets of paint, He threw down his brush, saying, “Gauguin I ain’t.”
Even if some references are more for the adults reading it than the children listening , both parties will close the book smiling and wanting to start all over again. Grab it and see why I love it so much!
Bobbi says
Thank you soooo much for sharing the books that go with your posts. They are a real treasure to me. Sometimes it’s hard to connect books with crafts. Thanks!!
Jackie Lee says
What a great project. We’ve had a little bit of snow in the last month, but it’s either been too dry or melted too fast to build a snowman. Hanna’s been wanting to build a snowman so we’ll have to try this instead! Thanks.
Jackie
.-= Jackie Lee´s last blog ..Vegetable Garden Planning =-.
katherinemarie says
You guys can come visit us… we have 13 inches today!
I love this project and all your magnetic ideas— so cool!
.-= katherinemarie´s last blog ..Sleeping Beauty =-.
Beverly says
so cute