Some of the best winter crafts start with something you were about to throw away. This snowman scene turns an empty toilet paper roll into a stamp, so little hands can make a row of cheerful snowmen with almost no prep.
It’s a simple craft for a cozy afternoon at home, a classroom art table, or a snow day when everyone needs something fun to do. Kids love the stamping, and the torn-paper snowbank at the bottom gives the whole scene a soft, wintry finish.
Craft Supplies:
- 1 empty toilet paper roll
- White washable paint
- Colored cardstock in gray or blue
- White computer paper
- Black Sharpie marker (fine tip works best for details)
- Orange Sharpie marker
- Paper plate for the paint
- Glue stick
Directions:
Step 1: Set Up Your Space
Lay down newspaper or a plastic tablecloth to protect your surface. Give each child a sheet of cardstock in their favorite winter color.
Step 2: Tear the Paper Snowbank
Before any paint comes out, start with the snow.
- Take a sheet of white computer paper and fold or trim it into a strip about as wide as your cardstock and roughly 2 to 3 inches tall.
- Hold the strip with both hands and slowly tear along one long edge only. Move your hands a little at a time, letting the tear wander up and down naturally.
- Keep the other three edges straight so they line up neatly with the bottom of your cardstock.
The torn edge creates a soft, uneven look — just like a real snowdrift. Scissors won’t give you that effect, which is exactly why tearing works so well here.
Snowbank tips:
- Tear slowly for gentle hills, or quickly for jagged, dramatic drifts.
- Try layering two torn strips at slightly different heights for a deeper, fluffier snowbank.
- If a tear goes sideways, don’t worry. Just tear a new strip, or use the “mistake” as an extra bumpy hill.
Step 3: Glue the Snowbank Down
Rub the glue stick across the back of the strip, covering the straight bottom edge well. Line it up with the bottom of your cardstock and press it down firmly.
Leave the torn edge loose and unglued at the top — this gives it a natural, three-dimensional look. Smooth it with your hand and set it aside for a moment.
Step 4: Stamp the Snowman Bodies
Now for the part kids love most. Squeeze a small pool of white paint onto your paper plate and spread it out a little so the roll can sit flat in it.
- Dip one end of the toilet paper roll into the white paint.
- Press it straight down just above the snowbank and lift it up. You’ll see a white circle — that’s the bottom snowball.
- Dip again and stamp a second circle just above the first, so they touch or overlap slightly.
- Add a third circle on top for a classic three-part snowman, or stop at two for a shorter, rounder one.
Repeat to make two or three snowmen across the page. Stamping them so the bottom circle sits right on or just above the torn snow edge makes it look like they’re standing in the snowbank.
Stamping tips:
- Re-dip the roll for each stamp to get a clean, even circle.
- If a circle looks blotchy, dab the roll lightly on the plate to remove excess paint before stamping.
- Gently pinch the roll into a slight oval for a fun variation in shape.
Let the paint dry for 10 to 15 minutes before moving on.
Step 5: Add Falling Snow with a Cotton Swab
If desired, while the snowmen dry, fill the sky with snowflakes.
Dip the cotton swab into the white paint and dot it across the cardstock around and above the snowmen. Big dots, tiny dots, clusters, or just a few scattered flakes — there’s no wrong way to make it snow.
This is a great step for little ones. It’s simple, satisfying, and builds fine motor skills at the same time.
Step 6: Draw the Snowman Details
Once the paint is fully dry, grab the Sharpie markers and bring each snowman to life.
With the black marker, draw:
- A top hat on the top snowball. Draw a rectangle with a wide brim line underneath, then color it in or fill it with lines.
- Eyes with two small dots.
- A smile with a curved row of tiny dots.
- Buttons down the middle snowball.
- Stick arms reaching out from each side. Add little lines at the ends for twig fingers.
With the orange marker, draw:
- A carrot nose. A small triangle pointing to the side works perfectly.
Encourage kids to give each snowman its own personality. One might have a tall hat, another a giant carrot nose, and another might be caught mid-wave. Your snow day scene is complete!
RELATED —> Toilet Roll Stamped Reindeer Craft
This craft proves you don’t need fancy supplies to make something special. A cardboard roll, a little paint, and a torn strip of paper become a sweet winter scene your kids will be proud to hang on the fridge.
Make one on the next chilly afternoon and watch the snowmen pile up. For more simple, kid-friendly crafts, follow along with @GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS. We’d love to see your snowy creations! Happy crafting, my friends!
