Snowman facts for kids
A snowman is an anthropomorphic snow sculpture often built in regions with sufficient snowfall. In many places, typical snowmen consist of three large snowballs of different sizes with some additional accoutrements for facial and other features. Due to the sculptability of snow, there is also a wide variety of other styles. Common accessories include branches for arms and a rudimentary smiley face, with a carrot used for a nose. Clothing, such as a hat or scarf, may be included. Low cost and availability are the common issues, since snowmen are usually abandoned to the elements once completed.
Construction
Snow becomes suitable for packing when it approaches its melting point and becomes moist and compact. Making a snowman of powdered snow is difficult since it will not stick to itself, and if the temperature of packing snow drops, it will form an unusable denser form of powdered snow called crust. Thus, a good time to build a snowman may be the next warm afternoon directly following a snowfall with a sufficient amount of snow. Using more compact snow allows for the construction of a large snowball by simply rolling it until it grows to the desired size. If the snowball reaches the bottom of the grass it may pick up traces of grass, gravel or dirt.
In North America, snowmen are generally built with three spheres representing the head, torso, and lower body. In the United Kingdom, two spheres are used, one sphere representing the body and one representing the head. The usual practice is to then decorate and optionally dress the snowman. Sticks can be used for arms, and a face is traditionally made with stones or coal for eyes and a carrot for a nose. Some like to dress their snowmen in clothing such as a scarf or hat, while others prefer not to risk leaving supplies out doors where they could easily be stolen or become stuck under melting ice.
There are variations to these standard forms; for instance, the popular song "Frosty the Snowman" describes a snowman being decorated with a corncob pipe, button nose, coal eyes and an old silk hat (usually depicted as a top hat). These other types range from snow columns to elaborate snow sculptures similar to ice sculptures.
Images for kids
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The earliest known photograph of a snowman, c. 1853, by Mary Dillwyn.
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In this illustration from 1867, a snowman is surrounded by children.
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Larger style of a snowman with a conical base. The angle of repose of a piled substance may be an aspect of snowman building at this size, depending on the properties of the snow and the method of construction.
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The Yuki Cone
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A "snow family" in Boise, Idaho with various accessories
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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 on a train station in Täby, Sweden
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Snowman with hat, scarf, and winter gloves in Germany
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Snowman in an apartment courtyard at night in Virginia, United States
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Snowman-themed cookies
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Snowman-inspired bronze sculpture
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Person in snowman costume
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Snowman display statue
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A snowman in ushanka playing on a garmon, 2019 New Year stamp of Russia
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The world’s largest snowwoman or snowman, a 122 feet 1 inch (37.21 m) tall snowwoman from 2008, named Olympia in honor of Olympia Snowe
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Snowrabbit
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Desert "snowmen" in Tohono Chul Park, Tucson, Arizona, made out of tumbleweeds
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Japanese snowman ("Yukidaruma") with 2 parts and a bucket hat.
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Painting the Eyes on a Snow Rabbit by Isoda Koryūsai (circa 1780, Japan) depicts 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
