Snowman facts for kids
A snowman is a fun snow sculpture that looks like a person. People often build them in places where a lot of snow falls. Most snowmen are made from three big snowballs stacked on top of each other. These snowballs are usually different sizes.
You can make snowmen in many other styles too, because snow is easy to shape. Common things used to decorate a snowman include branches for arms. A simple smiley face is often added. A carrot makes a perfect nose. Sometimes, people even add clothes, like a hat or a scarf. Snowmen are usually left outside after they are finished. They melt away when the weather gets warmer.
Building Your Snowman
Snow is best for building when it is a bit wet and sticky. This kind of snow is easy to pack together. It's hard to make a snowman with powdery snow because it won't stick. If the snow gets too cold, it can become crusty and difficult to use.
The best time to build a snowman is often on a warm afternoon. This is usually right after a good snowfall. When the snow is just right, you can make a large snowball. You simply roll it along the ground. It will grow bigger and bigger as it picks up more snow. Be careful, though! If the snowball rolls onto grass, it might pick up dirt or small stones.
Different Snowman Styles
In North America, snowmen usually have three parts. These parts represent the head, the body, and the lower body. In the United Kingdom, snowmen are often built with just two parts. One part is for the body, and the other is for the head.
After building the snowballs, it's time to decorate! You can use sticks for arms. For the face, people traditionally use stones or pieces of coal for eyes. A carrot is perfect for a nose. Many people like to dress their snowmen in real clothes. They might use a scarf or a hat. Others prefer not to leave their clothes outside. This is because the clothes could get lost or stuck in melting ice.
There are many fun ways to make snowmen. The famous song "Frosty the Snowman" describes a snowman with a corncob pipe. He also has button eyes and an old silk hat. Some snowmen are simple snow columns. Others are very detailed snow sculptures. These can be as fancy as ice sculptures.
Images for kids
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The earliest known photograph of a snowman, around 1853, by Mary Dillwyn.
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This picture from 1867 shows a snowman with children around it.
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A very large snowman with a wide base.
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The Yuki Cone
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A "snow family" in Boise, Idaho with different decorations.
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A snowman on a frozen Lake Saimaa in Puumala, South Savonia, Finland.
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A snowman in Allendale, Northumberland, United Kingdom.
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Two small snowmen at a train station in Täby, Sweden.
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A snowman with a hat, scarf, and gloves in Germany.
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A snowman in an apartment courtyard at night in Virginia, United States.
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Cookies shaped like snowmen.
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A bronze sculpture inspired by a snowman.
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A person wearing a snowman costume.
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A snowman display statue.
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A snowman wearing an ushanka and playing a garmon, on a 2019 New Year stamp from Russia.
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The world’s largest snowwoman, named Olympia, built in 2008. She was 122 feet 1 inch (37.21 m) tall!
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A snow rabbit.
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Desert "snowmen" made from tumbleweeds in Tohono Chul Park, Tucson, Arizona.
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A Japanese snowman ("Yukidaruma") with two parts and a bucket hat.
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Painting the Eyes on a Snow Rabbit by Isoda Koryūsai (around 1780, Japan) shows a rabbit snow sculpture.
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A Mickey Mouse-inspired snowman in Sapporo, Japan.
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See also
In Spanish: Muñeco de nieve para niños
