Complete this step-by-step snowman drawing art activity in a classroom or at home over winter break. Teachers can help their students in preK, kindergarten, first grade, and second grade learn to draw and paint and practice following directions.
The Most Adorable Snowman Directed Drawing Activity
As the crisp air ushers in the magic of winter, it brings the opportunity to create cozy memories and cheerful artwork with the little ones. Whether you’re seeking a festive activity for your classroom or a fun January project to enjoy with your children at home, winter directed drawings offer a perfect blend of structure and creativity to brighten the chilly days.
This winter directed drawing can be adapted for any primary classroom or completed at home with a few simple materials. You will need white art paper, pencils, erasers, fine black markers or Sharpie pens, and watercolor paints. I recommend a proper piece meant for art because it can handle the water and paint and shouldn’t tear the paper if used properly.
Not only is it an excellent way to develop fine motor skills, but it’s also a delightful reason for kids to express their creativity, no matter the weather outside. So gather your materials, and let’s dive into a winter wonderland of drawing and painting!
Steps to Complete the Snowman Drawing
You’ll see in the images that I am standing front and center and using my large easel and chart paper to draw on. My students are sitting at their desks with their supplies. I take things lightly, slowly, draw each step, and give each instruction individually. I give my students plenty of time to follow along and ask questions. You will have the most success if you model the lesson this way and take your time.
Follow these simple steps to create adorable snowmen your students will enjoy painting!
Step 1: Circle
Begin by drawing a circle almost in the center of your paper. Place it slightly toward the top, leaving room for a hat.
Step 2: Snowman’s Head
Under the circle, draw two curved lines down to the bottom. These are the sides of the second snowball, so they should be larger than the head.
Step 3: Snowman’s Arms
There won’t be much room for the arms, so explain this to students. Draw two parallel lines coming out of the body and off the page. If there is space, draw a hand with three pointed ends.
Step 4: Snowman’s Hat
On top of your snowman’s head, add a hat! Draw an oval on the top of the head and then place a triangle shape on the oval. Add a pom pom on top. Encourage students to decorate with a pattern. Let kids get creative with their hats. It’s always fun to see the different hats they dream up.
Step 5: Snowman’s Face
Add snowman facial features. Then, give them a small rectangle nose as the carrot, a mouth, and button circle eyes! Emphasize the snowman’s smiling mouth with small circles for coal.
Step 6: Snowman’s Body
Add a pattern to the snowman’s scarf and buttons on the body. Draw lines just below the neck with a rectangle below. Give the bottom of the rectangle little points to look like the end of a scarf. Draw more lines behind to show the snowman’s scarf blowing in the wind. Give it some stripes or a fun design.
Extending the Snowman Drawing
If you want to find ways to extend this kid-friendly activity, try spreading it out over a few days and art classes. Complete the drawing and trace the image with a black marker on day one. Erase pencil marks to make it look nice and neat. On day two, paint your snowman.
Occasionally, you’ll have some students who overuse their erasers. They may be tiny perfectionists who want their snowman to look exactly like yours or are never happy with their efforts. Make sure to give plenty of encouragement along the way! We will often pause and take a look at our group’s drawings to give compliments and encourage one another.
On day two, paint your snowman. If your class hasn’t used watercolor paints before, you should demonstrate how to make proper brush strokes with a paintbrush and the water-to-paint ratio. Larger paintbrushes work better than the small rigid ones included in paint sets. They don’t tear the paper as easily and work better for larger paper.
Of course, you could choose to color with crayons or markers if that’s easier for your students and their little hands
Unique Snowman Drawings as Decor
These snowmen pop out because of the brightly painted backgrounds. I instruct my students not to use dark colors, like black or brown, but to use brighter colors, like red, yellow, or light blue.
After they paint the backgrounds, they paint the details they’ve drawn for their snowman. The details should be different colors from the background; otherwise, they disappear and don’t stand out.
Once everyone completes their “Winter Friend” snowman drawing art activity, they place them somewhere to dry completely. Don’t make the mistake of hanging them or putting them upright. Paint and water would drip down onto the snowman.
Each snowman looks unique in its way. Each child followed the exact instructions, yet they could add their special touches to make theirs different from the rest.
Snowman Drawing Bulletin Board
You can create a colorful bulletin board display with the complete drawings. I cut large pieces of cardstock in various bright colors to create a frame for each snowman. Each piece is cut large enough to leave a 1″ border around the outside. I added punch letters by Creative Teaching Press to create a title for the board.
Directed Drawing Resources for this Snowman Drawing
FREE Printable Instructions
You can download and print the instructions for your classroom activity during your art lesson by clicking the image below! You’ll get everything you need to complete this activity with students.
Directed Drawing Mats
Add directed drawings to your weekly lesson plans to help children follow directions and build drawing skills. There are five different directed drawings included in each month of Drawing Mats.
Watch this video to see Drawing Mats in action!
More Directed Drawing Activities Kids Will Enjoy
Directed drawings are a valuable tool to have on hand all year! If you’re looking for tons of directed drawing ideas, this Ultimate Guide to Teaching Directed Drawings in the Classroom is the perfect place to start! This guide lists directed drawing resources, suggested materials, and FREE step-by-step tutorials.
More FUN Directed Drawing Activities
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FREE Directed Drawing Email Series
Sign up for the directed drawing email series filled with tips to get you started, strategies for success, and tons of FREE tutorials you can access right away. Everything you need to build drawing confidence and have fun at the same time!
jaime singeltary
Very creative! I love crafts but have little time for them. Great way to incorporate listening and following directions.
Lauren
I was wondering what grade made these adorable snowmen! Thanks!
Proud to be Primary
Hi Lauren! This art lesson and photos are from a 1st grade class. I have used this lesson in and would be perfect for any primary grade.
Angela
Would you recommend laminating?
Proud to be Primary
Hi there! No I don’t think that is necessary at all!
Jennifer
I love “follow the direction” drawing activities, which I use regularly with my pre-kindergartners. I cannot wait to try the directed drawing activities you have described above. I LOVE the snowperson activity and cannot wait to try it when we get back to school. Thanks for your great ideas:)
Jennifer
Can you tell me what type of art paper you use or where to buy art paper as I know my kiddos and their love of painting in the exact same spot even though I repeatedly tell them not to. I know, why do I throw down the challenge:)))))
Camille
I teach PreK and have done the snowman and a reindeer whole group. I model drawing on the projector and we do one step at a time. We LOVE them and they always turn out so cute! It is great for following directions, practice drawing shapes, and using position words. I plan to do more!
Jan
I really like this lesson. I hope you don’t mind. I linked to this post on my blog about art sub lessons. https://artsublessons.blogspot.com/2017/12/httpssrcsartgallery.html
Jessica H
Hi! The form to download the directed draw is not working for me. Can you please help?
Elizabeth A Lombardi
I would love the directions for this activity, but I can’t seem to be directed to them. I’ve signed up and I didn’t receive the directions. Please Help! I can’t wait to do this activity with my students next week.
Proud to be Primary
Hi Elizabeth. After you submit your info, the directions will be sent direct to your email. Make sure to check your spam or promotions folders! If it’s not there, feel free to shoot over an email to support@proudtobeprimary.com
Elizabeth A Lombardi
Thanks! Found it! : )
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cool
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nice
Natasha
Hello! I can’t seem to find the link for the snowman directed drawing. I signed up for your emails and confirmed and did not get a link.
Proud to be Primary
Hi Natasha. The directions will auto send to your email but often go directly to spam. Please check there first and mark out email safe. If you still cannot find it, please reach out to support@proudtobeprimary.com.
Elyse
Leslie
hi! The only directions that come start at step 7. Is this correct?
Proud to be Primary
Hi Leslie. The downloadable instructions includes 10 steps starting at #1. If you need any further assistance, please reach out to us at support@proudtobeprimary.com.
Elyse