Kids can build these snowmagnets without snow

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Crafts
Jennifer Roos

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I guess I just have to face it.
I’m still waiting for the summer that never was and autumn, well, it seems to have gone just as it arrived. When you get snow flurries before Halloween, it’s time to face the facts. Winter is on its way.
My girls are excited about the first snowfall. Truth be told, I am too. But as someone who has places to go, a driveway to shovel and two children to battle into wearing snow gear, hats and mittens, I am more than happy to wait. All in good time, I say.
Besides, you don’t need snow to do what kids really want to do come winter. Kids can build a snowman simply by raiding their recycling.

What you’ll need
Jar lids (assorted sizes)
Metal paint (spray or brush-on)
Plastic tablecloth
Acrylic paint
Paintbrush
Decoration ideas:
Pompoms
Moving (googly) eyes
Cord
Chenille stems,
Stickers,
Ribbon
Felt/foam
Glue (such as Weldbond)
Magnets

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Jennifer Roos photo

Your kids can make these cheery snowmagnets and then mix and match different parts.

Turn metal lids from glass jars into snowman parts. Look for lids in assorted sizes and avoid ones that have numbers stamped on the top. The stamped numbers are difficult to cover with paint. For each complete snowmagnet you will need three lids – one for the head, another for the midsection, and a third for the bottom. Paint plenty of lids so you can mix and match body parts. Wash and dry the lids.
Next, coat them in white spray paint or brush-on paint that’s suitable for metal. If you’re making this craft with children, either spray paint the lids in advance and have them ready for decorating, or give the children water-based metal paint (such as DecoArt No-Prep Metal Paint) and allow them to paint the lids themselves (wearing smocks). When spraypainting, spread out several sheets newspaper to protect your work surface from overspray. And be sure to work in a well-ventilated area. By spray painting you can paint several lids at once. Hand painting is a bit slower but there are no smelly fumes. NOTE: you can use regular acrylic paint on the metal lids. Be sure, though, to topcoat with a water-based varnish (that’s suitable for metal) afterward.
Once the lids are painted and dry, start decorating. Use moving eyes, pompoms and paint to make Frosty faces. Try buttons, chenille stems (for arms), paint and more to decorate midsections. And for the lower half, why not paint on some funny shoes? Use stickers, scraps of felt or foam, ribbon and other bits and pieces you have at home to build one-of-a-kind snowmagnets.
When the decorating is done, glue a magnet to the back of each lid. I really like Weldbond adhesive for this and so many other projects. Be sure to buy magnets that are thicker than the depth of the lid or your snowmagnets won’t stick to the fridge. You might have to build up the area behind the magnet (craft foam would work) or use two magnets glued together.
Now that you’ve got the components, have fun mixing and matching. Let Frosty try on a pretty pink skirt. Give Crystal a striped tie and sneakers …


Jennifer Roos is a freelance writer, crafter and author of Simply Seasonal – Easy Crafts for Winter, Spring, Summer & Autumn. For more crafts, check out Jennifer’s expert blog at http://ca.lifestyle.yahoo.com/home-garden/experts/. Reach her at jennifer@jenniferroos.com.