How to build a snowman packed with personality

Old Man Winter have you stuck inside? Turn that boring snow day into a snow-much-fun day by building some of our silly snowmen. All you really need to build a basic snowman is some kind of scoop or shovel, a carrot and buttons. But if you want to build more creative characters like ours, these tools are helpful:
- Warm, waterproof boots, gloves and ski pants (you’ll be outside for a while!)
- General-purpose soil scoop
- Ice cream spade
- Bucket
- Large thermos (to hold the water for your slush)
- Sturdy apple corer (to make the hole for the carrot nose)
- Variety of sturdy spoons
Ready to dig in? Choose your favorite snowmen below, gather the supplies listed and get ready to let the good times roll!
Inspired? Create and share by tagging @hallmarkstores.
The Storm Family

What you’ll need: 5 long scarves or old sweaters • 10 pipe cleaners • 10 large buttons • 5 small carrots • 5 knit hats
How to make it:
1. Make a bunch of 8-to-12-inch-tall snowballs. Stack them in towers and use slush to fill in the gaps and create smooth, narrow bodies. Let your towers tilt and lean for a more whimsical effect. 2. Add a 6-to-8-inch-tall ball (or whatever size will fit your hats) to each tower to create a head. 3. Wrap on a long scarf, or cut thrift-shop sweaters into long strips and sew together, to make Dr. Seuss–like scarves. 4. Thread a pipe cleaner through each button and insert the button eyes into each head. 5. Add a carrot nose and top with a hat for each snow person.
Mr. & Mrs. Blizzard

What you’ll need: Apron • 2 pots (check thrift shops for colorful enamel pots) • Yellow rubber glove • 2 pairs mittens • 4 long wooden skewers • 2 pipe cleaners • Rolling pin (or other utensil, like a whisk or wooden spoon) • 2 scarves • Old eyeglasses • 4 pieces coal or rocks • Red licorice or yarn • 2 carrots
How to make it:
1. To create the bodies, make two very large egg-shaped snowballs, about 3½ feet across by 4½ feet tall. Build them close together so they lean toward each other near the top. Tie the apron onto the woman, and pack snow on each body to create arms. 2. Make a large head (about a foot across) for each, and top each head with a pot for a hat. Tie the rubber glove onto the handle of the woman’s hat to form a flower. 3. Fill the mittens with snow, then hold one in position against the body. Poke a wooden skewer through the mitten and into the body to secure it in place. Repeat with other mittens. 4. Twist pipe cleaners around one end of the rolling pin, leaving the ends long so that you can stick them into the snowball body to secure. 5. Give each snow person a scarf, glasses and/or coal eyes, a licorice mouth and a carrot nose.
Mr. Sunny Snowbird

What you’ll need: Lawn lounge chair • Large pair boxers (preferably with a stretched-out waist) • Carrot • Sunglasses • Red licorice or yarn • Hat • Plastic cup • Orange slice • Drinking straw • Rocks
How to make it:
1. Place the chair where you want the snowman to be in your yard (large snowballs are heavy, so you don’t want to move it later!). 2. Roll a large ball to be the belly, about 2½ feet tall, and place it on the chair. 3. Pull the boxers over the ball with the leg openings toward the bottom, removing the elastic if necessary. Line up a row of smaller balls (or chunks) at the leg openings of the boxers and smooth them together to form the legs. Add a bit on the end of each for the feet. 4. Add a smaller ball on top of the body for the head. Position the carrot nose and the sunglasses, and make a mouth of licorice. Add the hat. 5. Make arms by smoothing a few smaller balls on either side of the belly. Nestle a frosty drink near the end of his arm and garnish with fruit. Put a few rocks in the cup to keep it from blowing away.
Swirling Skater Suzy and Flakey Fido

What you’ll need for Suzy: Pair ice skates (optional) • 2 sticks (each 1 foot long) • Pair mittens • Long orange or red yarn (to make braids) • 2 pipe cleaners • 2 pieces coal or rocks • Carrot • Large knit hat • Scarf
What you’ll need for Fido: 2 pieces coal or rocks • 1 large rock for nose • Child’s belt
How to make it:
1. Make a classic three-ball snowman, with the bottom ball about 2½ feet tall. 2. Push the sticks into the center snowball for the arms, and put the mittens on the ends. Place the skates, if using, over one shoulder, tying one lace around the neck. 3. Cut two sets of 12 yarn strands (about 8 inches each). For each set, tie one end together and braid strands. Thread a pipe cleaner through each set so 2 inches of pipe cleaner stick out of the top of each braid. Use that end to insert the braids into the back of the head. Bend the braid into a U shape. 4. Add the coal for eyes and a carrot nose. Put on the hat and scarf. 5. To make the dog, start with a 1-foot snowball for the midsection. Add a slightly larger ball in front (for the upper torso) and a smaller ball on top for the head. 6. Scoop out eye sockets so that the eyes will be deeply inset, and add snowballs to make the ears and a snout. 7. Add the coal for eyes and a rock for the nose. 8. Pack snow in the shape of front legs, and add a tail in the back so it appears to be wagging. 9. Place the belt around the neck as a collar.
Topsy-Turvy Ted

What you’ll need: Black top hat • 2 sticks, each about 1 foot long • Pair child-size rubber boots • 2 yarn pom-poms • 2 safety pins • Pair mittens • 3 pipe cleaners • 2 large buttons • Bow tie, preferably a funny clip-on • 2 pieces coal or rocks • Red licorice or yarn • Carrot
How to make it:
1. Make one snowball, about 3 feet tall, for the arms. Place a smaller ball, about 2½ feet tall, on top for the belly. 2. Make two balls for the legs and one for the head, each about 1 foot tall. 3. Scoop out the front of the bottom ball to make an opening for the head. Smash the hat down slightly, tuck it into the niche you created, and place the head on top of it. 4. Add the legs and push a stick into each ball to hold the boots. Attach the pom-poms to the boots with the safety pins and place the boots over the sticks. 5. Fill the mittens with snow and shape them into position. 6. Thread a pipe cleaner through each button’s holes and stick the pipe cleaner into the belly. Use the same method to add the bow tie to the neck. 7. Add the coal for eyes, make a round mouth out of the licorice, and add a carrot nose.
You may also like
See more-
Christmas 2025 Keepsake Ornament Sneak Peek: There’s snow business like this one!
A Keepsake Ornament that captures the magic of decked out department store windows during the holiday season? We love...
-
Christmas 2025 Keepsake Ornament Sneak Peek: A stunning tabletop figurine filled with magic
When it comes to inspiring wonder, nothing beats the intricacy of Keepsake Ornaments tabletop figurines. Their light,...
-
Christmas Your first 2025 Dream Book SNEAK PEEK is here!
The debut of the 2025 Dream Book is still a couple months away, but we just can't resist giving you a glimpse of all ...
-
Easter Easter basket ideas for all ages: DIY decorations, gifts and more
Excited to get hopping on those Easter baskets? We love to see it. And we love to inspire it, too! So we’ve put toget...
-
Valentine's Day So many ways to share love with little ones!
From incredibly snuggly, singing plush, to kissing cows, backpack clips and more, we've got everything you need to sh...
-
Easter Quack some smiles this Easter
There's nothing cuter than a fluffy, dancing duck in a spring pastel neck scarf. Well, wait. Actually there IS someth...
-
Kids 50+ unique Tooth Fairy ideas to bring the smiles
Few moments are more magical than your child’s very first wiggly tooth. Sometimes it comes with excitement (what will...
-
Encouragement Simple ways to include children in caregiving
For many people, illness, injury, disability and other reasons for extended care or end-of-life transitioning are jus...
-
Valentine's Day A history of Valentine’s Day: Festivals, feast days, flowers and more
On February 14, kids in classrooms exchange Valentine’s Day candies. Sweethearts celebrate their romance with flowers...
-
Graduation 90+ fantastic graduation party ideas to cap off the grad’s big day
It's graduation season. The hard work, the dedication, the final push on all those big projects, and now it's time to...
-
Christmas 2025 Keepsake Ornament Sneak Peek: A noble guy who’s sure to steal your heart
A new year means a whole new collection of Keepsake Ornaments to unveil! And since it's almost Valentine's Day, we th...
-
Halloween The history of Halloween: Why we celebrate and fun traditions to try
Scary stories, costume parties, fall chills, haunting thrills, and SO MUCH candy…there’s a lot to love about Hallowee...
-
Christmas BIG surprises at the Hallmark Christmas Experience!
The Hallmark Christmas Experience is unforgettable, but it was especially memorable for these folks! Watch as we surp...
-
Christmas 2025 Gnaughty and Gnice Keepsake Ornament Sneak Peek!
What will your favorite pair of elves be getting up to in 2025? We're betting it's got something to do with sweets. ...
-
Gifting 100+ funny gifts and ideas for the person you love to laugh with
The better you know someone, the more likely you are to joke around with them—family, friends, coworkers, anyone. For...
-
Friends 50+ friendship anniversary ideas for celebrating your platonic soulmates
How often do we really get to celebrate our friendships? Of course, the usual moments come to mind—birthdays, wedding...
-
Card Ideas Introducing new Paper Wonder Build-a-Bouquet cards!
A brand new card collection, just in time for spring! With new Paper Wonder Build-a-Bouquet cards, you can put togeth...
-
Christmas How to plan a Christmas scavenger hunt: 50+ ideas for clues, prizes, themes and more
What do scavenger hunts have to do with the holidays? More than you might think. A lot of the best things about the s...
-
Valentine's Day Valentine’s Day care packages for everyone you know
Valentine’s Day isn’t just for romance. We like to think of it as a day to celebrate everyone you love—and even those...
-
Valentine's Day Introducing the new Bridgerton gift collection
Dearest Gentle Reader, We are beyond pleased to announce the unveiling of our new Bridgerton gift collection. If you...