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Wooden Snowman Ornaments {Updated Tutorial}

No comments classroom gifts, holiday ideas for the classroom, parent gift idea, snowman ornament tutorial

Do you let your students make gifts for their families? This is something that I truly enjoy doing. My students enjoy it too!

Several years back, I made a wood slice snowman ornament with my class. It was a hit and I've made this same ornament ever since. This year, I am making the same ornament, only this time, I will be using a different kind of wood.

These precut wooden ornaments are absolutely darling, and perfect for this project. Best of all, they come in bulk and now I have enough ornaments for the next several years! But, I'm getting ahead of myself. Keep reading for ALL the details. :)

What You'll Need

wooden ornaments
blue acrylic paint
silver acrylic paint
white acrylic paint
black paint markers or Sharpies (at least two)
orange paint markers or Sharpies (at least two)
q-tips
Mod Podge

You can find the precut ornaments on Amazon. The set includes 120 ornaments for an amazing price!

If you like the idea of sealing your students artwork, then a coat (or two) of Mod Podge is necessary. You can find this at any craft store, Walmart, and Amazon.

Here's What You Need to Do

Step 1

Paint the ornaments blue and silver (see pic below in step 2). I've found it to be a huge time saver with this project when I paint the ornament ahead of time. Also, acrylic paint does not wash out of clothing, so it's probably best that you do the bulk of the painting.

Step 2

Pull two students at a time and get crafty! To create the snowman, paint your students' thumbs. They will make three thumbprints stacked on top of one another to create a snowman body.

I have my students turn their thumb so that they are making "sideways thumbprints." I also add more white paint to their thumb in between each thumbprint. Let these dry overnight before adding details.

Keep some baby wipes nearby so they can immediately wipe their thumbs clean.

Step 3

Once again, pull two students at a time to add details to the ornaments. Use paint markers or Sharpies (or a combo of both) to create the details.

Have students use the black marker to draw a hat, two eyes, a mouth, three buttons, and two arms. Then, have them add a carrot nose with the orange marker.

I like to pull the kids a few at a time because it is something that can easily take place while the rest of the class is working independently on a task. I don't have to set aside a designated time to create the ornaments because I pull them over in twos. This also allows me to explain the task, show a sample, and closely monitor them since paint is involved.

Step 4

Next, use a q-tip to add snowflakes. Simply dip the q-tip in white acrylic paint and make dots around the snowman.

Step 5

Finally, seal the ornament with Mod Podge. Again, this is optional, but it does add a protective layer, and Mod Podge does a great job of making things look more vibrant.

Step 6

You'll need to tie a piece of twine so that the ornament can hang. If you think your students can handle this independently, have them do it, otherwise, I suggest saving your sanity and just do it yourself.

Now the ornament is ready to send home! I like to package mine up in little kraft bags. I let the kids make a label to attach (sometimes I just use labels from the gift wrapping section at Target). I like these bags from Amazon. I also use them for my birthday bags.

I hope you are able to use this idea! It's sure to become a keepsake with your students' families. :)

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Wood Slice Snowman Ornaments {Tutorial}

1 comment gift, Holidays, ornament, parent gift idea, snowman ornament tutorial, student craft, Tutorials

Every year I have my students make a holiday gift for their families. What they make seems to change every few years. I like to try new things, apparently. Hehe.

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Last year, my students made some adorable snowman canvas ornaments. But this year, I switched it up, and simplified the project by using wood slices to make these fun thumbprint ornaments.

These were pretty easy to make. Keep reading!

What You'll Need

wood slices (with holes at the top)
blue acrylic paint
white acrylic paint
black paint markers (at least two)
orange paint markers (at least two)
q-tips

You can find the wood slices on Amazon.

Click here for thinner slices

Click here for thicker slices

You can find Mod Podge at your local craft store, but for ease, you can also find it on Amazon.

Here's What You Need to Do
Paint the wood slices blue. Depending upon the amount of time you have available to devote to this, you may want to paint the blue yourself. You will need to paint two coats.

Pull one or two students at a time to make the snowman. To create the snowman, paint your students' thumbs. They will make three thumbprints stacked on top of each other to create the three parts of the snowman. Be sure to apply fresh paint to their thumb before each thumbprint. Let dry.

Pull two students at a time to add details. Paint markers are easy to use and create bold lines and accents. Have students use the black paint marker to draw a hat, eyes, mouth, buttons, and arms. They will use the orange paint marker to draw a carrot nose.

*Pulling kids for these last two steps means you don't have to carve out time for the project at the expense of instruction. It also allows you to closely monitor and help students with the task (they get nervous about doing it wrong sometimes). If it seems overwhelming to pull them in small numbers, shake that feeling, it will go by much faster than you think. Chances are you have several opportunities each day to pull a few kids for 3 minutes at a time.

Use a q-tip dipped in white acrylic paint to create snowflakes. You can do this when you call students over to add their details, or you can call them over at a different time.

Next, you'll want to seal the ornament with some Mod Podge. Use a foam brush to apply, it's much faster.

Finally, tie a piece of ribbon or jute through the hole. If you order the wood slices linked in this post, you'll also get the jute that is shown below.

That's it!

Troubleshooting
This project is simply adorable, and lots of fun for students to make. BUT, it isn't always perfect. Some of the wooden slices may crack when you paint them (see pic below).

There is no way to predict whether or not this will happen. In speaking with an avid wood worker and carver (my dad-hehe), I learned that when wood dries too fast it can crack. So, if the wood isn't properly aged and then you paint it (which can be drying), it isn't uncommon for cracks to appear.

Sometimes those cracks might be negligible (think hairline crack). Other times, the cracks might be large rendering the slice unusable. It's best to start with dry wood, aged at least two years to help prevent things like cracking. Sadly, there's no way to really know how long the manufacturers of these wood slices are aging the wood before they sell it.

So, how can you prevent the cracks? The jury is still out on that. There are waxes that can be used to help seal wood and prevent it from cracking, but you cannot paint over it. You just have to know going in that you may have some cracking.

Last year I made these, I had about 4-5 slices crack (2-3 of those I could not use at all). This year, I only had one crack, and it was a hairline crack at that. Cracking will vary from batch to batch.

Be sure to have extra slices on hand. I purchase the sets with at least 30 slices (and I usually have about 23 students or so). This way, if a few crack, I still have enough for my class.

Here's how I handle cracks.

If you notice a tiny crack in the slice (see below), no worries, when you seal the ornament with Mod Podge, it will be protected. After sealing the entire ornament, put another coat or two of Mod Podge directly over the small crack, on the front and back.

If you experience any large cracks, you might find that those slices aren't usable. These would be the cracks that make the wood split apart to create a large open space, or go through the hole at the top. This is why making sure you have extras on hand is a good idea.

Kids love to create things, and they always enjoy making something special for their families. I hope you can use this idea, or modify it to meet your needs this holiday season. :)

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Soup Can Snowmen {A Parent Gift Idea}

4 comments Holidays, parent gift idea, snowman gift tutorial, soup can snowman

The holidays are fast approaching. Every year, I like to have my students make a special gift for their parents (or anyone they deem special enough to share their gift with). There are so many wonderful gift ideas out there, but my all time favorite are these adorable soup can snowmen.

I absolutely adore this project and I am so glad that my dear friend H introduced it to me several years ago.

Aren't they adorbs? The best part is, they are so, so easy! Keep reading to find out how to make these little keepsake cuties.

Materials
You will need:

1 empty soup can per student (I prefer the "Family Size" taller cans, but any size will do)
2 cans of Krylon white flat paint (do not substitute, I decided to try the cheapo Walmart brand this year and it was awful....I still ended up getting some Krylon to smooth things over)
1-2 packages of 3/8 inch birch buttons (for the nose)
orange acrylic paint
wax paper
1 glove per student (I usually get the packs of "mini" gloves from Target but this summer I scored some on clearance at JoAnns for 50 cents a pair!)
ribbon
strips of fabric (I buy 2 fat quarters and tear them into 1 inch wide strips.)
pink acrylic paint
Sharpies
Hot glue gun

I always ask my students to bring in the cans and $1 to cover the cost of supplies. I work in a school where this is possible, and it helps offset/cover the cost of the materials. Start collecting early, depending on your group it may take a while to get those cans!

Directions
1. Spray paint the outside of the empty cans. This will likely take a few coats. I lay a cheapo shower liner down in my backyard and get to spraying.

2. Put the birch buttons into a ziploc bag and place a few drops of orange acrylic paint into the bag. Zip it shut and squish everything around until the buttons are coated in paint. Set them out to dry on wax paper.

I do steps one and two at home, over the weekend. When I get to school, I prep things by completing steps three and four.

3. Place a glove on top of each can.

4. Tear the fat quarters into 1 inch wide strips. I always get a few different colors or prints so the students can choose.

Now it's time for the students to do their part. I've found that it is easier to call students over a few at a time to put the details on their snowmen because they need help tying and trimming things.

5. Let your students choose a strip of fabric for their snowman's scarf. I usually have them tie the scarf on themselves, but some don't know how to tie a knot. The scarves will be long, but that's OK, just trim off the excess once they are tied and knotted at the base of the can.

6. Let the students choose a coordinating ribbon and tie it around the fingers of the glove. Don't bother tying a bow, just knot it in place. You can get ribbon for pretty cheap around the holidays at Michaels.

7. Have students use a Sharpie to draw two eyes and a mouth on their snowman.

8. Then, have them "barely" dip their finger in pink paint to make cheeks. I tell them to dab it in place and then rub it around a bit.

9. Hot glue the orange birch button nose in place for the students.

Don't Forget the Gift Wrap
I know the heading above sounds like I'm about to share some fancy idea, buuuuut, I'm not. I don't get fancy with the wrapping. The snowmen are placed in a brown lunch bag and tied shut with ribbon (or if you want to be even less fancy, fold the top over a few times and staple it shut). I guess the ribbon makes it kind of fancy, though. ;) I usually have the students make a gift tag and attach it to the bag as I tie the ribbon.

This project is super simple and the kids love it! They are always so excited to take their snowmen home and gift them to their families. Thanks again to my sweet friend H for sharing this keepsake idea with me so many years ago. I hope it becomes one of your favorites too!

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