How to Make a Clay Pot Snowman
It is a cold afternoon, your child wants to build a snowman, and there is no snow to be found. A clay pot snowman solves that nicely. It takes a couple of small pots, some paint and a little glue, and it stays cheerful on a shelf all winter.
Quick Answer
To make a clay pot snowman, paint two small clay pots white and let them dry. Paint a face on the head pot and let that dry too. Turn both pots upside down, glue the head on top of the body, then add a felt scarf and pipe cleaner arms. Plan for two short sessions so the paint and glue can dry. Keep it indoors, or bring it in before freezing weather.
Table of Contents
- What you need
- How to make a clay pot snowman
- Who does what
- Keeping it looking good
- Fix common problems
- Frequently asked questions
What You Need
- Two small clay pots: about 2.5 to 3 inches across. A slightly smaller one makes a good head.
- Acrylic paint: white, black and orange.
- Paintbrushes: a wider one for the pots, plus a cotton swab for dots.
- Tacky glue: for joining the pots and adding details.
- Felt: a strip for the scarf.
- Pipe cleaners: for the arms.
Choose paint labeled for use by children, and follow the directions on the label.
How to Make a Clay Pot Snowman
- Clean the pots. Wipe away any dust. If you wash them, let them dry fully before painting, because clay holds water longer than it seems to.
- Paint them white. Brush on a thin coat, let it dry, and add a second coat if the clay still shows through. Thin coats stay smoother than one thick one.
- Paint the face on the head. Turn the smaller pot upside down. Dab on two black eyes and a dotted smile with a cotton swab, then paint a small orange triangle for the carrot nose. Let it dry.
- Add buttons. With the body pot upside down, dab on two or three black dots down the front.
- Join the pots. Keep both pots upside down. Add a ring of tacky glue to the top of the body, set the head on it, and line it up once. Too much glue will squeeze out and take longer to set. Leave it alone until the glue holds.
- Add the scarf and arms. Wrap the felt strip around the neck and glue it in place. Attach pipe cleaner arms with a little glue, and fold over any sharp wire ends.
- Let it dry. Leave your snowman somewhere safe for about a day, or as the glue label says, before anyone handles it.
A finished snowman should have a clear face and a head that does not wobble when you lift it by the body. To dress it up, try a felt hat, a tiny bow or a red cheek on each side. For more ways to paint a pot, see our guide on how to decorate a flower pot.
Who Does What
Younger kids can paint the pots, dab on the face and choose the scarf color. Older kids can cut the felt, plan the details and do most of the assembly with a little help. Paint the buttons on for little ones rather than using real buttons, which are a choking risk for children under 3.
If you would like a stronger bond, hot glue is a job for an adult. The same goes for spray sealer, which should be used by an adult away from children, following the label.
Keeping It Looking Good
An indoor shelf is the easiest place for a clay pot snowman, and it does not need a sealer. Keep it dry and away from heaters.
A covered porch can work if you seal it first. Our guide on how to seal a painted flower pot walks you through it. Even sealed, clay can crack in a freeze, so bring your snowman in before freezing weather. Looking for more to do on cold days? Try these winter activities for kids.
Fix Common Problems
| What you see | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Paint bubbles or peels | The pot was still damp | Let it dry fully, remove loose paint and repaint |
| The head wobbles or falls off | The glue did not set | Remove the old glue, let it dry and glue it again once |
| The felt gets damp | It was left outdoors | Bring it inside and swap in a dry piece |
| The pot cracks | Frost or a fall | Replace the pot and keep the decorations. Cracked clay can have sharp edges |
Frequently Asked Questions
What size pots work best?
Small pots about 2.5 to 3 inches across are easy for kids to hold and paint.
What paint sticks to clay pots?
Acrylic paint works well on a clean, dry pot. Use thin coats so it stays smooth.
Do I need to seal a clay pot snowman?
Not for indoor display. If it is going on a covered porch, an adult can seal it, following the sealer's label.
Can a clay pot snowman stay outside?
Only for a while. Bring it in before freezing weather, because clay can crack even when sealed.
What glue holds the pots together?
Tacky glue works for most kids' projects. An adult can use hot glue for a stronger hold.
How long does it take?
Plan for two short sessions. One covers painting, and the other covers assembly once everything is dry.
If your child loves painting pots, the Flower Pot Kit comes with three white ceramic pots, a tray, paint, brushes and everything they need to decorate them.
