In my classroom, the vast majority of the day is spent in free choice with fun hands-on activities, creative toys, and sensory explorations. We have a short circle time and a short group art time as well. While we usually also have art supplies out during free choice the group art time is normally an activity that supports the short circle time lesson and the theme we are learning about at the time. I like doing simple projects that give my students a chance to deepen the experience with the book and elements in the story, but I try to keep them simple and created with my specific students in mind. This toddler relief painting art project based on the book Snowmen at Night is so simple, and depending on your class you can do it in one session or split it into two.

Gather your materials. You will need some paper, contact paper, scissors, black paint, glue, and white confetti snowflakes.

Start by cutting out a snowman and moon from the contact paper.

Peel off and stick onto the paper.

Paint! I used a brush for this post but this would be a great time for finger painting as kids tend to cover large areas of paper when finger painting. Big foam brushes are great too.

The magic is that you can take a paper towel and wipe the paint right off the snowman leaving a snowman in the night.

Let dry and add snowflakes if desired. I like doing these second steps the next day one on one with my students. I can say ” Do you want to add any snowflakes to your snowman?” If they do I say “How many?” and boom, it’s a meaningful math activity. See what I did there?

 

The Book

Our book suggestions include affiliate links.

Snowmen at Night by Caralyn and Mark Buehner

Snowmen at Night is an adorable imaginative look at what snowmen do once we all fall asleep. It taps into a child’s imagination perfectly, and as you read it to your students, you can see how they dive into its chilly world of snow people. The author imagines a world where snowmen come to life and party at night when we are sleeping, which is why they always look a little different in the morning. I remember my son then about 4 looking at me and asking “They don’t really come to life, not really right?” when we read it for the first time many years ago. I love the whimsical illustrations with fun points of view that makes the reader feel like they are in on a real secret. Great book for preschoolers and older toddlers.

 

Need more ideas to go with Snowmen at Night?

 

My Winter Wonderland and Arctic Animals thematic units are packed with great ideas! Click the image below or right here to learn more about our thematic units.