6 Easy Steps On How To Build a Snowman
In the words of everyone's favorite ice princess, "Do you wanna build a snowman?" Of course, you do — who doesn't love building a good snowman? Unless, of course, you're one of those poor souls who live in a year-round warm climate (we see you, Floridians). Building snowmen is a classic winter pastime that every kid (and let's be honest, every adult) enjoys when the chilly season brings on a world blanketed in white.
That being said, building a snowman is one of those things most people probably consider themselves well-versed in. After all, you're just rolling balls of snow and stacking them on top of each other. However, there's a right way and a wrong way to go about doing it.
So,do you wanna build a snowman — the right way? The Frosty experts here at FUNBOY have your back!
Read on for six easy steps on how to build a perfect snowman.
But First, Where Did The Beloved Snowman Come From?
One of the most celebrated winter icons right next to jolly old Saint Nick, the snowman has been a part of our culture for centuries. But despite being one of man's oldest forms of art, what do you reallyknow about the frosty men (and women) outside of their carrot noses, corn cob pipes, and magical top hats... where did they come from?
Well, truth be told, the history of the beloved snowman isn't crystal clear, but Bob Eckstein was curious, so he set out on a journey to discover the ancestry of Frosty.
In 2007 after seven long years of research, the author found that the earliest documentation of a snowman was an itty-bitty illustration in the medieval devotional Book of Hours, which was written way back in 1380 and is currently stored in the National Library of the Netherlands.
In the book, a snowman is found sitting next to a fire wearing a hat. Why? Honestly, who knows? However, it was a snowman, nonetheless proving the frosty fellas have been around for a very long time.
So, who made the first snowman?
Like how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop, the world may never know. That being said, some archaeologists believe it's plausible that prehistoric folks used snow to depict themselves. After all, cavemen made art with all materials available, whether it was wood, mud, or sticks, so we can only speculate that a piece of coal may have at one time been used as the eye of a prehistoric snowman.
How To Build the Ultimate Snowman: 6 Easy Steps
Ready to build a snowman?
Here's your step-by-step guide to creating one so epic, even Disney princesses would be proud.
Step #1: Know Your Snow
The first thing you need to build a snowman — obviously — is snow. But not just any snow; you need the perfect snow, which is why it's important to know your snow.
If you're from a place where it snows on the reg, you know there's a pretty substantial difference between wet, slushy snow and dry, powdery snow. You also probably know that trying to build snow people in the powdery dry stuff is not going to work.
According to experts, you need around four inches of wet, heavy snow that packs well if you want to build anything worth the effort. It's the kind of snow that falls when the temperature is just below freezing and sticks to the ground.
A good way to test the snow to see if it's conducive for building is to see if you can make a compact snowball by scooping up some in your hands and pressing them together. Not only does that mean it's the perfect time for a snowball fight, but it's also a perfect time to build an epic snowman.
- Pro Tip: Don't let dry snow keep you from bringing Frosty to life! Simply turn your garden hose to a light mist and spray the area you'd like to start building on.
Step #2: Grab Your Pals
When the snow is juuust right, invite your pals over to drink hot cocoa, go sledding, and build the coolest snowman around. Sure, you can always embark on a solo journey to build Frosty, but if you ask us, it's much more fun with friends.
Step #3: Location Is Key
Now that you've ensembled the snowman-building dream team, it's time to pick a spot. To give Frosty the best shot at a long beautiful life, build him someplace flat and shady. Also, make sure your snowman's face is on the side of the head with the least amount of sunlight exposure to prevent his face from melting off (a truly traumatizing sight).
Step #4: Get Rollin’!
To get started, pack together a snowball just like you did earlier when you tested to see if the snow was wet enough for building. Set the ball on the ground and begin rolling it forward. As the ball gets bigger, make sure to roll it in different directions so that it keeps its round shape.
Once you've reached the desired size, stop rolling the snowball in the spot where you want the snowman to be. This will be the base which is usually the biggest of the three balls that make a snowman — so keep that in mind as you're rolling!
Once the base is in the correct place, push some snow along the sides on the bottom to make sure it doesn't roll away. Flatten the top part of the ball so that it's easier to secure the next ball.
Next, using the same technique as before, roll a second ball, just slightly smaller this time, and set it on top of the base.
Finally, make a third ball for the head, slightly smaller than the last one, and plop it right on top.
Step #5: Fill In the Gaps
Now it's time to fill in the gaps where each ball attaches to the next. Think of this as a kind of spackle that'll keep the different sections from falling off. Simply scoop up some snow from the ground and pack it between each section.
Step #6: Let Your Creativity Shine
Now comes the best part: decorating your snowman!
Everyone knows the classic accessories: top hat, scarf, carrot for the nose, and coal, pebbles, or buttons for the eyes. However, unless you're trying to recreate Frosty, the world is your oyster, and you can use whatever tickles your fancy to bring your snowman to life.
Give him a funky cap or an iconic ugly Christmas sweater to wear. Make a mohawk out of snow or grab some twigs to give your snowman a fancy hair-do. Throw on some hater blockers to keep the sun out of your snowman's eyes and add a pop of color with food coloring. Write something on a cardboard sign for him to hold so that he can ~express~ himself.
Don't hold back; get creative, and let your imagination run wild. This is your snowman, and he can be anything you want him to be.
And That’s a Wrap!
And there you have it — six easy steps to build a snowman. Now the only thing left to do is to pray for some (wet) snow!
Winter is right around the corner, are you prepared? Stock up now on warm winter apparel and a few awesome sleds so you can hit the slopes the moment there's enough snow on the ground to go sledding.
Not sure where to find top-quality sleds that are as durable as they are stylish? Check out our unique inventory of luxurious inflatable FUNBOY sleds for the comfiest ride on the market!
Gone are the days of dragging heavy sleds made of wood and metal up a steep hill for another ride. With our unbelievably lightweight inflatable sleds, you can whirl down the hill and climb back to the top faster than you can say, “Omg, Frosty, get out of the sun; you’re melting!”
Ready to make this winter season your best one yet? Grab a pump and prepare for the ultimate winter fun: Snowman’s magic hat not included.
Sources:
The Evolution of the Snowman and More with Cartoonist Bob Eckstein | WFUV
Cave Paintings Found in Spain Are First Known Neanderthal Art | National Geographic
How the Experts Build a Snowman - Hanover | Dartmouth
National Library of the Netherlands | Nationale Bibliotheek van Nederland
