This snowman playdough is easy to make and fun to play with. Add a snowglobe for a simple handmade gift idea for kids.
Updated December 2024
Last year we made candy cane playdough as gifts for our friends. This year we’re making a snowman playdough gift in mason jar snow globes.
Playdough is a great gift to give children – it’s easy to make and encourages endless amounts of creative play! It’s one of our favorite handmade gifts to give to children.
You can also just use this as a fun winter playdough invitation. Kids love to create little snowmen families using simple materials. This is the perfect indoor activity when it’s too cold to play outside or if you live in a climate without snow!
Here’s a video showing how to make a playdough snowman. Below you’ll find a recipe for our favorite cooked playdough, and then step by step instructions on how to create your snowmen!
Playdough Snowman for Kids
MATERIALS
- White playdough
- Glitter
- Peppermint oil (optional)
- Assorted beads, googly eyes, and buttons
- Pipe cleaners
- Mason jars
INSTRUCTIONS
- Create your playdough snowmen
First, make a batch of white playdough. You can add glitter and peppermint essential oil to make it extra snowy.
Then, roll out 3 different sized balls of playdough, and create your snowman! - Add decorative features
Once you have your snowmen, use beads, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners (and whatever other loose parts you have) to decorate them.
- Create snowmen globes (optional)
If you are gifting your playdough snowmen, unscrew your mason jar and place the lid upside down on the table. Place snowman on top of the lid and carefully place the glass jar over snowman and twist to seal.
Note: we used wide mouth pint-sized mason jars for this project, so the snowmen would fit!
You can add a gift tag if you are giving these as gifts, or just admire the snowmen in their homes!
We love how these playdough snowmen look in their snow globes! And, as a gift, it is as fun for kids to make as it is for their friends to receive.
Here’s our favorite recipe for cooked playdough!
Recipe for Playdough
Recipe for Playdough (Cooked)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Description
This recipe for playdough is guaranteed to make a huge batch of homemade playdough perfect for hours of imaginative play!
Ingredients
- 5 cups water
- 2 1/2 cups salt
- 2 Tablespoons cream of tartar
- 8 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- Food coloring or liquid watercolors
- 5 cups flour
- Glitter and/or essential oils (optional)
Instructions
1. Mix the water, salt, cream of tartar, and food coloring in a large pot.
2. Cook the mixture on medium-low heat, stirring regularly until it is hot.
3. Add the oil and mix.
4. Stir in the flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing between each addition with a wooden or other strong spoon.
5. Continue to mix until the playdough pulls away from the pan and is no longer sticky. Pinch it between your fingers to test it (but be careful because it’s hot!).
6. Place the dough on the counter, let it cool a bit, and then knead.
Note :: This is the time to add glitter or essential oils, if desired. Simply place the additions in a well in the center of the playdough, then knead the dough thoroughly to mix.
7. Store the dough in an airtight bag or other container at room temperature. It will keep for months.
More Winter Crafts for Kids to Make
- How to Make Candy Cane Playdough
- How to Make Snowman Paintings with Glue
- 13 Winter Art Projects for Kids
- How to Make Puffy Snow Paint for Kids
- How to Make Instant Snow for Kids
- 12 Winter Sensory Bins for Kids
Want even more creative ideas?
Check out our Winter Fun Creativity pack!
Cozy up with some of our favorite wintertime activities for creative kids! This pack has 40 pages of winter-themed art activities that will keep your kids busy even on the snowiest day!
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