Snowmen are fun all on their own. Wrap one in a twinkly string of Christmas lights, though, and it becomes the merriest guy on the block! This paper plate snowman craft is simple, cheerful, and perfect for little hands. It pairs beautifully with the beloved picture book Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner, with pictures by Mark Buehner.
If you’ve read the book, you know the story imagines what snowmen get up to while we’re asleep. They sled, skate, and sip cold cocoa under the stars. It’s pure winter magic, and it makes a great springboard for a cozy craft session at home or in the classroom.
Here at @GluedToMyCrafts, we love crafts that start with a good story. This one comes together with basic supplies you probably already have. Kids get to draw, paint, glue, and twist, so it’s packed with fine motor practice too. Let’s build a snowman!
Craft Supplies:
Gather these supplies before you begin:
- 2 white paper plates (one smaller for the head, one larger for the body)
- Black marker
- Orange marker
- Black construction paper or cardstock (for the hat)
- Any color construction paper (for the hat band and scarf)
- Finger paints in red, yellow, and green
- A spare paper plate to use as a paint palette
- Stapler (for assembling the snowman)
- Scissors (for the grown-up to cut the hat and scarf)
Directions:
Step 1: Draw the Snowman’s Face
Use the black marker to draw two round eyes on the smaller plate. Then add a smile made of small dots in a curved line.
Step 2: Add the Carrot Nose
Draw a long, pointy triangle in the center of the face.
Step 3: Make the Top Hat
Cut a tall rectangle from the black construction paper or cardstock for the hat, then cut a wider, flat strip for the brim. Staple the brim horizontally across the top of the head plate. Then staple the tall rectangle on top of the brim. For a fun finishing touch, cut a thin strip out of a colorful piece of paper scrap and staple or tuck it across the band of the hat. It adds a cheerful pop of color!
Step 4: Draw the Light String on the Body
Take the larger paper plate and use the black marker to draw a thin, wavy line around the inside rim. Loop it all the way around until the ends meet. This line is the “wire” for your string of Christmas lights.
Step 5: Draw the Buttons
Use the black marker to draw three solid dots in a straight vertical line down the center of the body plate. These are your snowman’s buttons. Big or small, they all count!
Step 6: Finger Paint the Lights
Set up a small paper plate as your paint palette and squeeze out dollops of red, yellow, and green finger paint. Have your child dip a fingertip into one color and press it onto the wavy line. Keep going, switching colors as you go, until the whole string is covered in bright little bulbs.
Mess-saving tip: Keep a damp paper towel nearby to wipe fingers between colors. That way the reds stay red and the greens stay green.
Step 7: Let the Paint Dry
Set the body plate aside and let the finger-painted lights dry completely before moving on to assembly. This keeps the colors crisp and prevents smudging.
Step 8: Make and Attach the Scarf
Cut a long strip of colored construction paper for the scarf. Snip a small V-shape or two pointed tips into one end to give it that classic scarf look. Staple the scarf horizontally across the neck area — right where the two plates will meet — with the decorative end draping to one side.
Step 9: Staple the Snowman Together
Place the smaller head plate on top of the larger body plate so they overlap slightly at the neck. Staple them together securely, making sure the scarf is sandwiched in between for a tidy finish. Press firmly to make sure everything holds.
Step 10: Admire Your Snowman!
Stand back and take a look at your festive creation. Your Christmas light snowman is all dressed up and ready to brighten the season!
RELATED —> Fingerprint Christmas Light Picture Frame
GRAB THE BOOK “SNOWMEN AT NIGHT” VIA OUR AMAZON AFFILIATE LINK
This paper plate Christmas light snowman brings together a favorite book, bright colors, and plenty of hands-on fun. It’s the kind of craft that kids are proud to show off and grown-ups love to keep.
So grab your paper plates, open up Snowmen at Night, and let the holiday crafting begin! We’d love to see your colorful creations. Share a photo and tag @GluedToMyCrafts so we can cheer on your sparkly snowmen. Happy crafting, and may your season be merry and bright!
