Snowball lanterns dot the Swedish landscape in winter. Learn how to make these beautiful snow lanterns with just snow and a tea light. Photo updates by Andrea Martelle.
Updated December 2023
There’s a saying in Sweden that “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.”
From the first winter that I experienced here, I witnessed this firsthand. Babies travel everywhere you do, and the weather stops no one. There are highly prized preschools that guarantee that even naps will be outside in children’s strollers (even in winter).
If the snow can be packed into snowballs, our neighborhood is usually speckled with these snowball lanterns. With kids, my mind is always on ways to enhance outdoor activities, and these are such a win-win!
Snowball lanterns are both beautiful and a great way to combine play, togetherness and functionality; giving the kids a great way to channel snow energy into creating a work of beauty for everyone to enjoy.
Building a snow lantern is very simple and its size is up to you.
Swedish Snow Lanterns
MATERIALS
- Snow and Snowballs
- Tealights or you can try battery operated ones
INSTRUCTIONS
- Get ready
First, locate a flat area on your lawn and start making snowballs.
Make as many snowballs as you’d like. Keep the snowballs uniform in size and pack them well.
The more snowballs you have, the higher up you can build. - Create your lantern ring
Once you have your supply of snowballs, start forming a ring with them.
- Build up
Next, start building up. Add one layer after another, gently decreasing the width at each level.
As you layer the snowballs, think ahead to leave a small gap as a spot to reach in with your hand and place a tea light, once the construction is finished.
The goal is to build a solid snowball pyramid.
- Light your lantern
Once the snowballs are in place and a pyramid has been formed, parental guidance is necessary for placing and lighting a candle. We chose to use battery operated tea light candles for this and added quite a few for a nice glow.
To use your snowball lantern, just reach into the little gap with a tea light, light it, and enjoy your beautiful work.
More Winter Art Activities for Kids
- 13 Winter Art Projects for Kids
- 15 Ice Projects to Make with Kids (from Willowday)
- How To Make Coffee Filter Snowflakes
- How to Make Snow Ice Cream
- How to Make Snowman Playdough in a Snow Globe
- How to Make Instant Snow 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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